Compare the2025 Audi new Q5 SportbackVS 2026 Volvo XC40

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi new Q5 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 XC40 has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the new Q5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the XC40.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The new Q5 Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XC40 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The Audi new Q5 Sportback offers an optional Top View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Volvo XC40 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the new Q5 Sportback and the XC40 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.

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 new Q5 Sportback is safer than the XC40:

The Audi new Q5 Sportback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XC40 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the new Q5 Sportback’s warranty.

The Audi new Q5 Sportback’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the XC40’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 8 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The new Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (268 vs. 194) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The new Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (268 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC40 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The new Q5 Sportback has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (17.2 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi new Q5 Sportback higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the new Q5 Sportback produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

The new Q5 Sportback offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The XC40 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The new Q5 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 XC40 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the new Q5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the new Q5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XC40.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the new Q5 Sportback can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC40 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The new Q5 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 XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The new Q5 Sportback Prestige has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The new Q5 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 XC40 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the new Q5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the XC40 (110.9 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The new Q5 Sportback has 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the new Q5 Sportback’s rear seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The new Q5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the XC40 with its rear seat up (25.4 vs. 20.4 cubic feet).

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC40’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the new Q5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The new Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the new Q5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XC40 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The new Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The XC40 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the new Q5 Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the new Q5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC40 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the new Q5 Sportback keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Audi new Q5 Sportback has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC40.

The new Q5 Sportback’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Volvo EX40/XC40 by over two to one during 2024.