2026 Volvo EX40 vs. Audi Q4 e-tron Comparison with Price, Specs, & Photos

If you've been considering making the switch to an all-electric vehicle, there's never been a better time than now thanks to the introduction of the dynamic Volvo EX40. This sophisticated all-electric crossover SUV offers sleek style, exhilarating efficiency, and innovative technology to take your adventures further than ever before. To demonstrate how the EX40 sets the standard for its segment, our team at Motorcars Volvo Cars has created this competitive comparison. You'll learn exactly how the Volvo EX40 compares to the Audi Q4 e-tro. Which one will earn the victory? Let's find out together!

Volvo EX40 vs Audi Q4 e-tron

It’s easy to see why we chose the Q4 e-tron for this comparison; in terms of price and size, the two vehicles are nearly identical. Rear-wheel drive versions of both vehicles are available, but we chose the AWD versions for this comparison, since they’re the more popular. Both vehicles come with an 82 kWh battery pack, and range is yet another aspect that is essentially the same. But you can still see how much more advanced Volvo’s EV drivetrain technology is when looking at the significant difference in power output. All things being equal, performance usually comes at the expense of range, but the fact that the Volvo delivers more of both from the same battery capacity is very clear evidence of a more advanced drivetrain. And although the Q4 e-tron does still have enough power to handle towing duties, Audi didn’t rate it for towing at all, giving the EX40 another clear advantage.

There are some differences in equipment between these two vehicles, but the brakes are perhaps the most startling of these. Most of the automotive industry has moved away from drum brakes for passenger vehicles, as the enclosed design tends to trap heat, dirt, and moisture, all of which are bad for brakes. But they are cheaper to produce, so perhaps that’s why they can still be found on the rear wheels of the Q4 e-tron. Another stuck-in-the-past element of the Q4 e-tron is the fact that leather is the only material available for seat upholstery, while the EX40 gives you an animal-free option. Speaking of seats, you can have heated back seats in the EX40, but they aren’t available even as an optional extra in the Q4 e-tron. And even things that are options on the Q4 e-tron, like a wireless phone charger, are just standard on the EX40. Lastly, while paint color selection generally isn’t the most important aspect of vehicle shopping, the Q4 e-tron has an unusually limited selection of just four colors, with black, white, and silver taking three of those spots. This is in contrast to both the bigger selection from Volvo and the sophisticated and contemporary shades offered by the Swedish automaker. Just part of why the EX40 looks so much better.