Compare the2022 Audi SQ7VS 2022 Volvo XC90

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the SQ7. But it costs extra on the XC90.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the SQ7 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 XC90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the SQ7 and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Audi SQ7 is safer than the Volvo XC90:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 20th in reliability. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 4 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

The SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 250 more horsepower (500 vs. 250) and 310 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 258) than the XC90 T5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 184 more horsepower (500 vs. 316) and 273 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 295) than the XC90 T6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder. The SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 100 more horsepower (500 vs. 400) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 472) than the XC90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi SQ7 is faster than the XC90 T6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

Both the SQ7 and the XC90 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All SQ7s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC90 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The SQ7 has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The SQ7 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC90’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 18.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the SQ7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

The SQ7 stops shorter than the XC90:

For better traction, the SQ7 has larger tires than the XC90 (285/40R21 vs. 235/55R19). The SQ7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (285/40R21 vs. 275/45R20).

The SQ7’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC90’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the XC90.

The SQ7 offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The XC90 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XC90, which uses coil springs in front and transverse leafs springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The SQ7 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volvo doesn’t offer an active suspension on the XC90.

The SQ7 Premium Plus handles at .91 G’s, while the XC90 T6 AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The SQ7 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the XC90 T6 AWD (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The SQ7 has 1 inch more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

The SQ7’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

The SQ7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC90’s (7700 vs. 4000 pounds).

The engine in the SQ7 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A Service Interval Display is standard on the SQ7 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter replacement and tire rotation, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the XC90.

The SQ7’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The SQ7 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XC90 doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ7 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The SQ7 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The XC90 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.