Compare the2025 Volvo EX40VS 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

The Volvo EX40 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The EX40 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the EX40’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The EX40’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the EX40 and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the EX40 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo will pay for cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volvo higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 31 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volvo higher than Audi.

The EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors produces 67 more horsepower (402 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors. The EX40 Twin Motor Performance’s standard electric motors produces 101 more horsepower (436 vs. 335) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the EX40 Twin Motor electric motors is faster than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:

The EX40 can travel longer on a full charge than the Q4 e-tron Sportback on a full charge:

The Volvo EX40 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The EX40 stops much shorter than the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the EX40 is .7 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The EX40 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Q4 e-tron Sportback pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the EX40 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (6.9 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the EX40 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Volvo EX40 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The EX40 is 5.8 inches shorter than the Q4 e-tron Sportback, making the EX40 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The EX40 has 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The EX40 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (57.5 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the EX40’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the EX40 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The EX40 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Q4 e-tron Sportback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The EX40’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The EX40’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the EX40 has a standard rear wiper. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the EX40 Ultra has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The EX40 Ultra also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Both the EX40 and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard heated front seats. The EX40 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

Compared to traditional radio, the Volvo EX40’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volvo EX40 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The EX40 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volvo EX40/XC40 outsold the Audi Q4 by over two to one during 2024.