Volvo XC60 vs. Audi Q5: We Break Down The Differences
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When choosing your next luxury SUV, what exactly do you look for? The SUV market is fairly saturated nowadays, making it a challenge to shop around for the best model that best fits your needs. When it comes to top-notch luxury SUVs, two of the best vehicles that you can get are the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5.
If you’re torn between the Volvo XC60 vs. Audi Q5, we can understand why you’re having such a tough time - but you can relax because there’s no wrong answer here. Both are excellent luxury SUVs that command respect in both comfort, styling, and high-end features.
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Today’s head-to-head comparison is between the 2021 Volvo XC60 and 2021 Audi Q5. Which is the right luxury compact SUV for you? Let’s break down the differences and find out!
Exterior and Interior Design
Audi has always been known for its distinctive styling, and the 2021 Audi Q5 surely benefits from that. If you want to drive a car that will turn heads, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2021 Audi Q5. The styling for the 2021 version was mildly tweaked for a more adventurous look. From the 18-inch five-arm design wheels to aluminum roof rails to the broader Single-frame grille, the Audi Q5 just oozes style.
The same level of design care has been extended to the Q5’s interior. The dashboard layout gives a powerful first impression but still manages to be functional. The new 10.1-inch screen attracts your eyes, and everything is slightly angled towards the driver, giving a more intuitive experience. Home to Audi’s MIB 3 system, the infotainment system is responsive and easy to use.
On the flip side, the 2021 Volvo XC60 takes some cues from Scandinavian design, giving a more classic aesthetic. Defined by its classic upright stance, angular lines and geometric shapes, the XC60 looks refined, elegant, and attracts attention without being too overbearing. Compared to the Audi Q5, the beauty of the XC60 feels more understated, which many people don’t really mind.
Conversely, the XC60’s interior is more impressive than its exterior - everything is just so well done. This compact SUV’s interior just screams plus and is one of the finest in the segment. Equipped with high-quality leather and wood, the interior feels refined and expensive, thanks to the lack of big swaths of plastic that seem to be more common lately.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
In terms of performance, the 2021 Volvo XC60 fares well, even if you went with the standard T5 powertrain. Obviously, the better the engine, the better the performance. Depending on the model you get, the XC60’s engine will either be turbocharged, twin-charged (turbo and supercharged), and electrified.
On an XC60 T5, you can get a decent 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque which should be more than enough for daily driving. Getting a T6 engine will bump the performance to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The highest engine tier, XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, lets you enjoy a blazing performance of 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque.
For fuel economy, the standard XC60 with T5 engine offers 22⁄29 mpg city/highway for FWD and 21⁄28 mpg for AWD models. The most efficient model, which is the XC60 T8 eAWD, is rated at EPA-estimated 26⁄28 mpg and 520 miles with a full tank and charge.
With only one engine option, the 2021 Audi Q5 offers a more streamlined experience. The Q5 features a base powertrain of a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine assisted by a 12V mild-hybrid technology system, resulting in a modest 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The Q5 55 TFSI e model combines the same four-cylinder engine with a plug-in hybrid unit that boosts its performance to 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
For the battle of fuel economy, the Q5 wins over the XC60, hands down. With a fuel economy of 23/28/25 mpg (city/hwy/combined), the Q5 trounces the XC60 in fuel efficiency. Also, the Q5 mild-hybrid TFSI 45 offers more fuel economy than any version of the XC60.
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Safety and Reliability
If you value safety above everything, you can’t go wrong with both compact SUVs. The 2021 Volvo XC60 earned the “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS, earning ‘Good’ ratings across the board for crashworthiness. Below are some of the top safety features of the XC60:
- Pre-collision safety system
- Rear parking sensors
- Blindspot information system (BLIS)
- Lane-keeping aid
- Auto brake assist
- Lane departure warning
On the flip side, the 2021 Audi Q5 also boasts a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. From crashworthiness to crash mitigation, the Audi Q5 earned all ‘Good’ ratings, implying that it’s one of the safest vehicles out there. The Audi Q5 offers the following safety features:
- Audi pre sense® systems
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Night vision assistance
- Parking plus system
- Audi side assist (blind-spot monitoring)
- 360-degree cameras
In terms of overall reliability, the XC60 edges out the Q5, thanks to the former’s better reliability scores from critics. According to J.D. Power, the 2021 Audi Q5 scores a fair 63⁄100 for quality and reliability while the 2021 Volvo XC60 snags the win with a reliability rating of 73⁄100.
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Volvo XC60 vs. Audi Q5: Which Compact SUV to Get?
Pitting the Volvo XC60 vs. Audi Q5 is no small task because they’re highly comparable and fairly neck in neck. As usual, it all comes down to the qualities you value the most from a luxury SUV.
If you want an SUV with a gorgeous interior, larger cargo space, and a slightly lower price, it will make sense for you to choose the Volvo XC60. But if you prefer a more modern and sleeker exterior, better on-road performance, and a slightly better fuel economy, the Audi Q5 comes out on top as the better choice.
As far as value propositions go, this comparison can go either way. But ultimately, we give that honor to the Audi Q5 but only by a hair.
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