Compare the2026 Audi S3VS 2025 Volvo S60

The Audi S3 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 S60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the S3. But it costs extra on the S60.

Both the S3 and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the S3 for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo pays for maintenance for the S60 (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 S3’s warranty.

The Audi S3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the S60’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 81 more horsepower (328 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi S3 is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the S3 and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All S3s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The S60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The S3 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 S60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the S3’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S60:

The S3 stops much shorter than the S60:

The S3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S60’s standard 45 series tires. The S3’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the S60’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the S3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the S3 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The S3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The S3 handles at .95 G’s, while the S60 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the S60 Plus AWD (24.6 seconds @ .79 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the S3’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the S60’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

The Audi S3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 900 pounds less than the Volvo S60.

The S3 is 10.7 inches shorter than the S60, making the S3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The S3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the S60’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S3 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 S60.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield, the S3 has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Audi S3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the S60.

The S3 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the S60, 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 S3 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the S60.

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 S3 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The S60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Audi S3 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi S3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S60.

The S3’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Audi S3 retains 51.66% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 47.58% resale value of the 2025 Volvo S60 after five years, which can save the Audi’s owner.