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Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) vs Volvo XC40 Recharge
Selected trim35 e-tron · 2021-23Change trim221 mi · 55 kWh · £40,750
Selected trimSingle Motor FWD · 2022-23Change trim264 mi · 69 kWh · £46,505
At a glance
The Volvo XC40 Recharge was replaced by the Volvo EX40 in 2024. Compare the Audi Q4 e-tron with the Volvo EX40
In this comparison, Audi Q4 e-tron leads on family practicality, running costs and city driving, while the Volvo XC40 Recharge leads on charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Audi Q4 e-tron (2021-2023) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Volvo XC40 Recharge if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Audi Q4 e-tron leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Audi
5.1
Volvo
4.8
Too close to call
Motorway Range
Audi
3.7
Volvo
3.9
Too close to call
FamilyAudi
Audi
7.7
Volvo
6
ChargingVolvo
Audi
2
Volvo
3
Cost Per MileAudi
Audi
4.8
Volvo
3.8
City DrivingAudi
Audi
6
Volvo
4.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
- 43 miles more WLTP range
- 30 kW faster rapid charging
- 45 kW more power
- 1.6s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,750 (better) | £46,505 |
| Official range | 221 miles | 264 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 520 L (better) | 419 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 37 min |
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 7.4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Audi Q4 e-tron
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Length
Audi Q4 e-tron4,588mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge4,425mm-163mm
Width
Audi Q4 e-tron1,865mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge1,863mm-2mm
Height
Audi Q4 e-tron1,632mm-15mm
Volvo XC40 Recharge1,647mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,588 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,865 mm | 1,863 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,108 mm | 2,034 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,632 mm | 1,647 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.2 m (better) | 11.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 535 mm spare | 537 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 520 L (better) | 419 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1490 L (better) | 1290 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 31 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,500 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron |  Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.59m | 4.42m-163mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.86m-2mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.11m | 2.03m-74mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.65m+15mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.76m | 2.70m-62mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 175mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 520L (better) | 419L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1490L (better) | 1290L |
| Frunk | Not available | 31L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.2m (better) | 11.4m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,020kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 55kWh | 69kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 221 mi | 264 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 130kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,750 (better) | £46,505 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2021–2023 | 2022–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 221 miles | 264 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 184 miles | 220 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 37 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 130 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 52 kWh | 64 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9 sec | 7.4 sec (better) |
| Power | 125 kW | 170 kW (better) |
| Torque | Not available | 330 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £19,560 | £17,500 |
| Average used price | £22,100 | £21,995 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 8 listings | 9 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | Down 10.8% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Audi Q4 e-tron 35 e-tron
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users66%
Safety Assist80%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor FWD
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Audi Q4 e-tron35 e-tron | Volvo XC40 RechargeSingle Motor FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Audi Q4 e-tron
35 e-tron
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the quiet, refined cabin and comfortable ride.
- The interior quality and conventional layout, including physical climate controls, are rated above the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq it is based on.
- Rear passenger space and headroom are generous for the size of car.
Watch out for
- Real-world range falls well short of the WLTP figure, with owners of the 40 typically seeing 230-290 miles in mild weather and around 200 in freezing conditions.
- Efficiency is middling, around 3 miles per kWh on average and much less in cold city driving.
- The myAudi app and in-car software are widely described as limited or awkward, and some cars needed software updates.
Owner tips
- Judge battery health from a full-charge range over several days, not one cold-weather reading: the display is based on recent driving.
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump if you do a lot of winter driving.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Single Motor FWD
Owners love
- Excellent ride comfort with well-controlled suspension and compliant handling, even over poor road surfaces
- Outstanding interior quality with premium materials, supportive seats, and thoughtful design details
- Strong dual-motor performance (0-62 mph in 4.7-4.9 seconds) with instant torque and impressive acceleration
Watch out for
- Expensive pricing (£50-60k+) with poor value proposition compared to competitors like Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, and Skoda Enyaq
- Significant software and infotainment reliability issues including system crashes, navigation failures, and random reboots at highway speeds, reported across multiple owners
- Poor efficiency and heavy weight (504kg heavier than petrol equivalent), resulting in disappointing real-world range of 200-240 miles for advertised 260+ mile capacity
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch summer tires over 20-inch wheels for noticeably better ride quality and reduced road noise
- Select the twin-motor variant for superior range (334 miles) and faster 200kW charging if budget allows; single motor charges slower at 130kW peak
Buying options
Get a quote
Audi Q4 e-tron
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Audi Q4 e-tron
- £18,3932023Car360View
- £19,0412023Car360View
Volvo XC40 Recharge
- £23,9902023Cars2View
- £22,4992023Browns of RichmondView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo XC40 Recharge worth the extra £5,755 over the Audi Q4 e-tron?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge costs £5,755 more than the Audi Q4 e-tron. For that premium it adds 43 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW faster peak rapid charging and 45 kW more power. The Audi Q4 e-tron is not just cheaper - it also offers 101 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Audi Q4 e-tron comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
The Audi Q4 e-tron is £5,755 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Audi Q4 e-tron comes out roughly £5,795 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 184 miles for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 220 miles for the Volvo XC40 Recharge - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Volvo XC40 Recharge goes roughly 36 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
The two are within 2 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 537 mm of total clearance for the Volvo XC40 Recharge and about 535 mm of total clearance for the Audi Q4 e-tron. The Audi Q4 e-tron also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Audi Q4 e-tron or the Volvo XC40 Recharge?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 84% for the Volvo XC40 Recharge. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Audi Q4 e-tron comparisons
More Volvo XC40 Recharge comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best family EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the best city EVsWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volvo XC40 Recharge rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Audi Q4 e-tron (2021 on): 35, 40, 45, 50 or 55, the Recall, Range & What to Check
A used Audi Q4 e-tron buyer’s guide: every version and battery explained, the 2021-2023 cars vs the 2024 update, the brake-software recall, warranty left, real-world range, what to pay, used vs new, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo XC40 Recharge (2021-2024): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Volvo XC40 Recharge buyer’s guide: Twin 78 vs 82 kWh, front vs rear-drive single motor, heat pump by trim, warranty left, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .