Compare the2026 Audi A6 AllroadVS 2026 Volvo V90 Cross Country

The Audi A6 Allroad has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the A6 Allroad Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a night vision system.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Audi A6 Allroad’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Volvo V90 Cross Country.

Both the A6 Allroad and the V90 Cross Country have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, around view monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the A6 Allroad for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the V90 Cross Country (3/30,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the A6 Allroad’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A6 Allroad’s reliability 17 points higher than the V90 Cross Country.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 8 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The A6 Allroad’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (335 vs. 295) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 310) than the V90 Cross Country’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi A6 Allroad is faster than the Volvo V90 Cross Country:

The A6 Allroad has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the V90 Cross Country (19.3 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The A6 Allroad offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A6 Allroad’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the A6 Allroad’s brake rotors are larger than those on the V90 Cross Country:

The A6 Allroad stops shorter than the V90 Cross Country:

The front and rear suspension of the A6 Allroad uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the V90 Cross Country, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A6 Allroad has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A6 Allroad’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The design of the Audi A6 Allroad amounts to more than styling. The A6 Allroad has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the V90 Cross Country (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A6 Allroad get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A6 Allroad a Mid-Size Station Wagon car, while the V90 Cross Country is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The A6 Allroad has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the V90 Cross Country (101 vs. 98).

The A6 Allroad has .5 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the V90 Cross Country.

The A6 Allroad has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the V90 Cross Country with its rear seat up (29.9 vs. 19.5 cubic feet). The A6 Allroad has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the V90 Cross Country with its rear seat folded (69.5 vs. 69 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A6 Allroad easier. The A6 Allroad’s trunk lift-over height is 25 inches, while the V90 Cross Country’s liftover is 27.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the A6 Allroad’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the A6 Allroad is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the V90 Cross Country. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The A6 Allroad’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A6 Allroad to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the V90 Cross Country.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The A6 Allroad’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the V90 Cross Country’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A6 Allroad has standard extendable sun visors. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The A6 Allroad has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the V90 Cross Country.

The A6 Allroad is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the V90 Cross Country, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the A6 Allroad offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the V90 Cross Country.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the A6 Allroad equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The V90 Cross Country, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Audi A6 Allroad empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The A6 Allroad Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The V90 Cross Country doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A6 Allroad, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by over four to one during 2024.