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Audi A4 vs Volvo S60

2025 Audi A4 vs 2025 Volvo S60 — two compact cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi A4

2025 Audi A4

Compact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 3Volvo S60 wins 3 of 5 categories
Volvo S60

2025 Volvo S60

Compact CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Volvo S60 is more fuel-efficient: 31 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $200 a year less in fuel for the Volvo S60 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Audi A4 has had fewer recall campaigns (25 vs 33).

The two cars

The 2025 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,633 lb (4dr Sedan Quattro).

The 2025 Volvo S60 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 188 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,957 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 A4 and the 2018 S60 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 A4 and the 2019 S60.

Basics

Compact Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Hybrid
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

29 MPG
Best combined MPG
31 MPG
26 city
City / highway MPG (best)
30 city
$2,850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,650

Performance & space

261 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
–
187.4 in
Length
188.2 in
72.8 in
Width
72.8 in
56.3 in
Height
56.3 in
3,633 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,719 lb

Safety & reliability

12
Driver-assist features standard
–
0
Recalls (2025)
3
25
Recalls, all years since 2005
33
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
0

Interest

27,360
Wikipedia views, 30 days
14,104

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2018
2020
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi A4 if…

  • You put reliability history first (25 vs 33 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Volvo S60 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (31 vs 29 MPG)

Pros & cons of each

2025 Audi A4

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • No recalls so far
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 261 hp, versus about 362 hp for similar 2025 models.

2025 Volvo S60

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2025 Audi A4 specs →Full 2025 Volvo S60 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →