Compare the2027 Audi Q6 e-tron SportbackVS 2026 Volvo EX40

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo EX40 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q6 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the EX40.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q6 e-tron Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The EX40 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

The Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback offers an optional Top View Cameras and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Volvo EX40 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Q6 e-tron Sportback and the EX40 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback weighs 679 to 1027 pounds more than the Volvo EX40. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback is safer than the EX40:

The Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The EX40 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 1 visits) on the Q6 e-tron Sportback for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the EX40 (3/30,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Q6 e-tron Sportback’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 2 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s standard electric motors produces 208 more horsepower (456 vs. 248) and 321 lbs.-ft. more torque (631 vs. 310) than the EX40 Single Motor’s standard electric motor. The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 54 more horsepower (456 vs. 402) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (631 vs. 494) than the EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors. The SQ6 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 107 more horsepower (509 vs. 402) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (631 vs. 494) than the EX40 Twin Motor’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Q6 e-tron Sportback with its standard motors gets better mileage than the EX40 Twin Motor (110 city/97 hwy vs. 103 city/85 hwy MPGe).

The Q6 e-tron Sportback can travel longer on a full charge than the EX40 on a full charge:

The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The EX40 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Q6 e-tron Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the EX40:

The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX40 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Q6 e-tron Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the EX40 (F:255/50R20 & R:285/45R20 vs. F:235/50R19 & R:255/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q6 e-tron Sportback SQ6 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The EX40’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The EX40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback Prestige/SQ6 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The EX40 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q6 e-tron Sportback’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the EX40 (113.7 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Q6 e-tron Sportback is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the EX40.

The design of the Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback amounts to more than styling. The Q6 e-tron Sportback has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .3 Cd. That is lower than the EX40 (.329) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Q6 e-tron Sportback get better fuel mileage.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback has 2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the EX40.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the EX40 with its rear seat up (26.1 vs. 18.9 cubic feet).

The Q6 e-tron Sportback’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback (except Premium) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q6 e-tron Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the EX40.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q6 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q6 e-tron Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The EX40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Q6 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback SQ6 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the EX40.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback Prestige’s Park Assist Pro can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Park Assist Pro will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.