2022 Volvo XC40 vs. 2022 Audi Q3

2021 Volvo XC40 ・ Photo by Volvo

The Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 are among the most popular vehicles in the luxury compact crossover SUV segment. The XC40 has used its distinct styling and strong safety orientation to carve out a big chunk of the market, while the Q3 has leveraged Audi’s strengths of well-tailored exterior styling and understated interior design. Both crossovers have standard powertrains that feature turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, but while the XC40 offers a base front-drive version the Audi Q3 is only available with quattro all-wheel-drive. As you would expect from vehicles in the same class, the Q3 and XC40 are about the same size and have similar 5-passenger interior accommodations. Both are excellent transport for singles, couples, and families with young children. But there are significant differences that might persuade you that one of the two is better for you in your situation. Here is our comparison of the 2022 Volvo XC40 and 2022 Audi Q3.

Exterior Style

crossover suvs rarely are attention-getters. Virtually all of them have very similar profiles, and at times, one might get the impression that the only exterior differences are grilles, taillights, and badges. That said, the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 manage to distinguish themselves from the rest of the compact luxury crossover crowd. Of course, of the two, the Volvo has the more distinct styling. Its roofline and side window treatment are two elements that are especially memorable. The XC40 is more than two inches taller than the Q3, and it seems even more upright than that. The Q3, on the other hand, delivers a smaller version of Audi’s typical crossover exterior theme. It is understated and classically styled with very little ornamentation. Determining which is better is simply a matter of taste. If you seek to stand out, the XC40 is the better choice. If you prefer a ride that is more conventional, the Q3 is probably the better pick.

: Audi Q3

Photo by Audi

Interior Design

Volvo and Audi are globally recognized for the exceptional interiors their vehicles offer. The Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 epitomize that. Both vehicles go light on extraneous decoration and concentrate much more heavily on minimalism and useful ergonomics. Both vehicles can transport five passengers in comfort and enable those passengers to bring plenty of gear. Even the base Volvo XC40 Momentum trim has leather seats, 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat with memory, 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, remote keyless entry with proximity key, and remote start. The Volvo features some inventive storage areas, and its upholstery and trim options allow buyers to go a little crazy. In contrast, the Audi Q3, while providing passenger accommodations similar to the XC40, keeps its interiors very conservative and low-key. The Audi ladles on standard luxury features like panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, and leather upholstery. An available option package offers 8-way power front seats with memory for the driver’s seat, auto-dimming power-folding mirrors with memory, and a Homelink garage door opener. Natural wood inlays are available as a standalone option on the Premium trim.

: Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo

Infotainment &Technology

Both the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 offer leading-edge infotainment systems. Interestingly, though, the conventional XC40 models have a different infotainment system than the battery-electric Recharge. The EV is fitted with Volvo’s newest infotainment system that is unabashedly Android-based. Not surprisingly, it offers direct integration with Google Maps and Google Assistant. Conventionally powered XC40s have the Volvo Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen interface. It uses a multi-tile layout for clarity. Navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are all standard. The Audi Q3 is fitted with the next-generation MIB 3 infotainment system. Some trims have a 8.8-inch touchscreen while a 10.1-inch touchscreen is available on top trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. Haptic feedback makes the Audi system exceptionally easy to use. For those seeking high-end audio, the Q3 features an optional 15-speaker, 680-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system. Volvo counters with a 13-speaker, 600-watt Harman Kardon system that includes an air-ventilated subwoofer.

: Audi Q3

Photo by Audi

Powertrains

Both the Audi Q3 and the Volvo XC40 offer several interesting powertrain options. The Audi Q3 offers the choice of a 184-horsepower and 228-horsepower versions of its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine backed by 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmissions. The XC40 offers even more powertrain choice. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder T4 that produces 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The T5 engine, also 2.0-liters, develops 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which, coincidentally is the peak torque figure of the the Q3’s more powerful engine. Both conventional Volvo powertrains use 8-speed automatic transmissions. The XC40 Recharge, which could be regarded as a separate model, provides much more horsepower than any of the gasoline-fueled engines in either the XC40 or the Q3. Its two-motor drive system delivers 402 horsepower and instant peak torque.

: Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo

Driving Impressions

With the base engines, the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40 turn in more-than-adequate performance along with a comfortable, controlled ride. Buyers of either won’t be disappointed. At the same time, the driving-fun quotient rises considerably in the Audi Q3 S Line Quattro with its 228-horsepower engine and in the 248-horsepower T5-equipped XC40s. Of them, the T5 R-Design is the most performance-oriented. And then there’s the XC40 Recharge, with its 402-horsepower electric drivetrain. Even with the disadvantage of its near-5,000-pound cub weight, the Recharge will silently zip from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in less than 4.5 seconds. That’s almost two seconds quicker than a T5-equipped XC40 and almost 3 seconds quicker than the Q3 S Line. That said, high performance is not the top objective of most compact luxury crossover buyers. They seek comfort, quiet, and convenience, and both Audi and Volvo deliver that. The XC40’s big edges are the added horsepower of its up-level engine and the availability of a battery-electric model.

: Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo

Safety & Driver Aids

The Audi Q3 offers a good array of safety and driver-assistance features, but it is outdone by the Volvo XC40 in those categories. Building on one of its brand keynotes, the 2022 XC40 has a robust list of active safety and driver-assist features starting with its City Safety array. The system includes all of the Volvo’s collision-avoidance technologies: collision warning with automatic braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, large animal detection, and oncoming traffic collision mitigation. The Volvo Pilot Assist is a semi-autonomous, hands-on-the-wheel system that contributes to steering, acceleration, and braking, working on highways at speeds up to 80 mph. Audi has added some new safety features for the 2022 model year. Audi side assist with rear cross traffic alert and Audi parking system plus are now standard equipment. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning are also standard across the lineup. Adaptive cruise control is available.

: Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo

Interior Space & Cargo Carrying

The Volvo XC40 is taller than the Audi Q3, and it looks like it should have more cargo-carrying capacity, but the Q3 actually has more cargo space behind the second row of seats. And the margin is pretty large. The Volvo XC40 has 16 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Q3 has 23.7 cubic feet. But when you look at the cargo volume with the second row folded, you begin to grasp how that’s possible. The XC40 offers 46.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded away, and the Q3 offers a very similar 48 cubic feet. Rear-seat passengers in the Audi will confirm that it offers less space than the rear-seat area in the XC40, and that increases its luggage space. An XC40 properly equipped can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Audi does not list a tow capacity for the 2022 Q3.

: Audi Q3

Photo by Audi

Fuel Economy

When it comes to fuel economy numbers, the base XC40 narrowly tops the conventionally powered base Q3. With the 2.0-liter turbocharged T4 engine, the front-drive XC40 has EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/ 32 mpg highway, while the base Q3 quattro has EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/ 30 mpg highway. The XC40 T5 and all-wheel drive has an EPA rating of 22 mpg city/ 30 mpg highway. The Q3 S Line quattro is rated at 21 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway. The battery-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge has an EPA rating of 92 MPGe in city driving and 79 MPGe on the highway. It has a range of 223 miles on a full charge. In normal driving, the typical customer would not notice much difference between the fuel economy of the conventionally powered Q3 and XC40 models. Of course, the all-electric XC40 Recharge is a wild card in the fuel economy deck.

: Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo

Pricing & Value

As you would expect in this hotly contested segment, the two vehicles are not just closely matched in terms of capabilities, features, and interior space; they are also closely matched in price. The base XC40 Momentum T4 has a lower base price that the base Audi Q3 Premium 40 TSFI quattro, but the Audi has standard all-wheel-drive. The base XC40 Momentum T4 is a front-driver. Both vehicles have suggested retail prices around $36,000. The R-Design is the sportiest of the XC40s while the Inscription is the most luxurious model in the lineup. Both have base prices slightly above $40,000. Add the T5 engine and the price increases by about $2,000. The most luxurious Audi Q3, the S Line Premium Plus 45 TFSI quattro (say that three times real fast), has a suggested retail price of a bit over $38,000. The battery-electric XC40 Recharge is the outlier with an MSRP of over $55,000, but its buyers might qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

: Audi Q3

Photo by Audi

The Winner

As is obvious by now, the two vehicles in this comparison are very evenly matched. The Audi Q3 offers attractive interior and exterior styling, an advanced infotainment system, and standard all-wheel drive. Its cargo hold is bigger than that of the XC40. On the other hand, the Volvo XC40 offers more safety equipment, a more diverse array of powertrain choices, and more distinctive exterior styling. If you want a pure electric, it is your only choice. Both vehicles will offer years of driving enjoyment and a comfortable level luxury. In the end, it is hard to pick a clear winner, but based on its wider array of choices and superior safety offering, the Volvo XC40 is the overall winner.

Volvo XC40

Photo by Volvo