2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a postmodern automotive styling with its massive corporate grille, which complemented its stout and chunky design. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the Q3's cabin mirrored this modern aesthetic, with a dash design that prominently framed the center touchscreen. When the interior debuted in 2019, it was a standout, but by 2021, Volkswagen's similar designs had somewhat diminished its uniqueness. Despite this, the Q3's interior remained modern and refined, though not as distinctive as before.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC40 embraced a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well within Volvo's lineup. It featured signature elements like "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille and unique alloy wheels, while maintaining a subtle appearance. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen blending seamlessly, offering a luxury feel without compromising on style.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine option was previously standard, but Audi lowered the base MSRP by $2,000, making the more potent engine a $2,000 option. The Q3's performance was lively, with solid power for passing and engaging drive modes like "S" or Sport mode, enhancing throttle response and transmission mapping. Despite some turbo lag in the base engine, the Q3 offered nimble handling and a comfortable ride, striking a balance between engagement and refinement.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, producing a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort over speed, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, a rarity among electric vehicles.

The 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo capacity was subpar for the class. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, offering comfortable front seats with deep cargo pockets and impressive headroom and legroom in the rear. It could seat five, but four passengers could enjoy a comfortable road trip, provided they packed light.

Volvo claimed no difference in passenger or cargo space between the XC40 Recharge and gasoline models. However, the XC40 Recharge was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, with less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also limited due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with logical menu navigation and standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit was also available, replacing the conventional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge was the first XC40 variant with OTA update capability, allowing updates to the infotainment system and other software-controlled functions. It lacked a start button, instead using a key fob for entry and shifting out of park. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected in an OTA update, but not confirmed for the XC40.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional options included a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. These ratings did not apply to the electric XC40 Recharge due to structural differences. Volvo expected the Recharge to perform well in crash tests, thanks to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.