2025 Volvo S90 vs 2026 Audi S3

$58,300 · Sedan

$52,000 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Volvo S90 whispers Scandinavian elegance, offering a serene, substantial road presence at 200.4 inches long, contrasting sharply with the eager, compact dynamism of the 2026 Audi S3. The Volvo projects calm authority with 295 horsepower, while the smaller Audi injects thrills with 328 horsepower, making the S3 the immediate choice for raw acceleration thrills. Despite the performance gap, both luxury sedans surprisingly achieve an identical 26 MPG combined efficiency, burning premium fuel. The S90 commands a $58,300 MSRP, asking $6,300 more than the $52,000 Audi. However, the Volvo compensates with substantially more utility, boasting 13.5 cu ft of cargo space against the S3’s tight 8.3 cu ft, signaling two entirely different missions: plush, spacious cruising versus nimble, spirited driving.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Audi S3

The Audi S3 offers superior agility and modern tech appeal for navigating dense urban environments despite its slightly higher premium fuel requirement.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 is the clear choice for families, offering a massive 13.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to only 8.3 cu ft in the S3.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Audi S3

The 2026 Audi S3’s 328 horsepower provides a more exhilarating, driver-focused experience than the S90's 295 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2026 Audi S3

The Audi S3 provides significantly more horsepower (328 hp vs. 295 hp) for a $6,300 lower starting price.

Choose the Volvo S90 if...

You prioritize rear-seat space and need the full 13.5 cu ft of cargo capacity.
You prefer the established, serene ride quality associated with the larger 200.4-inch Volvo platform.
You desire the smooth, familiar shifting of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Choose the Audi S3 if...

Maximizing horsepower output, like the S3’s 328 hp, is paramount for your driving excitement.
You prefer a tighter, more athletic footprint due to the S3’s smaller 177.4-inch length.
You want a more aggressive driving dynamic facilitated by the required premium fuel and 7-speed automated manual transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volvo S90	Audi S3
Length	200.4"	177.4"
Width	74.0"	71.5"
Height	57.2"	55.7"
Wheelbase	120.5"	103.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering Lights	✓	—
Headlight Washers	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Fixed Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Folding Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	295 hp @ 5400 rpm	328 hp
Torque	310 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm	295 lb-ft
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	7-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/31 MPG	23/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	365.7/492.9 mi.	333.5/449.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Four Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	10.1 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	220W	680W
Speaker System	10	15
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Sonos
Surround Audio	—	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Volvo	Audi
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Front Head Room	37.8 in.	36.8 in.
Front Leg Room	42.2 in.	41.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.5 in.	54.8 in.
Front Hip Room	56.4 in.	—
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leather/Sueded Microfiber	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Rear Head Room	37.8 in.	36.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.4 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.4 in.	53.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	54.9 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/40R19	225/40R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Volvo	Audi
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 30000 mi.	3 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volvo S90 and 2026 Audi S3.

How does the powertrain differ between the 2025 Volvo S90 and the 2026 Audi S3?

The Volvo S90 delivers 295 horsepower through an 8-speed automatic transmission, focusing on smooth power delivery. Conversely, the Audi S3 packs a punch with 328 horsepower managed by a faster-shifting 7-speed automated manual, designed for more immediate driver feedback.

Is one of these vehicles significantly better on gas mileage?

No, in this comparison, both luxury sedans achieve an identical 26 MPG combined rating. Both require premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance, with the S90 recommending it and the S3 requiring it.

Which car offers better practicality for moving cargo?

The 2025 Volvo S90 is far more practical, offering a generous 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2026 Audi S3 is considerably tighter, providing only 8.3 cubic feet, making it less suitable for family trips or large shopping runs.

What accounts for the $6,300 price difference between the two models?

The price difference stems from the S90's larger dimensions (200.4 inches long) and its focus on luxury interior refinement, versus the S3's focus on compact performance within a smaller, sportier package.

Are both sedans equipped with All-Wheel Drive?

Yes, both the 2025 Volvo S90 and the 2026 Audi S3 come standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) systems, ensuring capability in varied driving conditions.

Which car is better suited for spirited driving enthusiasts?

Enthusiasts will gravitate towards the Audi S3 due to its higher 328 horsepower output and smaller frame, translating to better power-to-weight dynamics compared to the larger, comfort-oriented S90.