Verdict
At RM269,900, the Audi Q3 is RM1,012 dearer than the RM268,888 Volvo XC40, yet it is the more practical and cheaper-to-tax choice: 530 litres of boot space against 460 litres, 7.2 L/100 km rated economy against 7.7 L/100 km, and RM100 annual road tax against RM428. The Volvo hits back hard with 263 hp and 390 Nm, cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 8.9 to 6.4 seconds, plus all-wheel drive and a far fuller active-safety suite. The Q3 suits luggage-heavy, lower-running-cost ownership; the XC40 is the faster, better-equipped drive.
Pick the Audi Q3 if you want the 530-litre boot, lower 7.2 L/100 km rated consumption and RM100 annual road tax.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive and active safety including autonomous braking and blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q3 RM269,900; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Performance: Audi Q3 147 hp and 250 Nm; Volvo XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Audi Q3 8.9 seconds; Volvo XC40 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: Audi Q3 front-wheel drive; Volvo XC40 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Audi Q3 530 litres; Volvo XC40 460 litres.
- Road tax: Audi Q3 RM100 per year; Volvo XC40 RM428 per year.
Q3
- 530-litre boot is 70 litres larger.
- 7.2 L/100 km rated economy and RM100 annual road tax.
- LED projector headlamps with auto high beam and a 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- 147 hp and 250 Nm trail the Volvo's 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Volvo's all-wheel drive.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction or active cruise control.
XC40
- 263 hp, 390 Nm and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- All-wheel drive, 19-inch wheels and a sport chassis.
- City Safety autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, active cruise control and auto parking.
- 460-litre boot is 70 litres smaller than the Audi's.
- 7.7 L/100 km rated economy is higher than the Audi's 7.2 L/100 km.
- RM428 annual road tax is RM328 higher than the Audi's.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM269,900 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,395 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 263 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed S-tronic | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.2 L/100 km✓ | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | —✓ | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,484 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,849 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,680 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,545 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 530 litres✓ | 460 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-arm Design Alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.1" MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi connect, Audi smartphone interface and Audi sound system | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi virtual cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q3 & XC40 for sale
Q3 vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Audi Q3 or Volvo XC40 better?
The Volvo XC40 is better for performance and driver assistance, with 263 hp, all-wheel drive, autonomous braking and active cruise control. The Audi Q3 is better for boot space, rated fuel economy and annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q3 costs RM269,900 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888. The Audi is RM1,012 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Audi Q3 has the larger boot at 530 litres, compared with 460 litres in the Volvo XC40. That is a 70-litre advantage for the Audi.