Compare the2025 Audi new Q5VS 2026 Volvo XC60

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The new Q5 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XC60 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Active Front Assist, the Audi new Q5 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volvo XC60, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	new Q5	XC60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.5 sec	2 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.5 sec	.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi new Q5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volvo XC60 has not been tested.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The new Q5 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XC60 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The Audi new Q5 offers an optional Top View Camera System and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Volvo XC60 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the new Q5 and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Audi new Q5 is safer than the XC60:

	new Q5	XC60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	81	106
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.42 in
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	1205 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	139	195
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.22 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	357 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1316 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Audi new Q5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XC60 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 9 percent more Audi dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the new Q5’s warranty.

Reliability

The Audi new Q5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the XC60’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.

Engine

The new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 21 more horsepower (268 vs. 247) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 266) than the XC60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the new Q5 and the XC60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All new Q5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

Transmission

The new Q5 offers an available 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 XC60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The new Q5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The XC60 doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the new Q5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the new Q5 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, 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 new Q5 offers an available 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 or off-road. The XC60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The new Q5 Prestige has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The new Q5’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XC60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the new Q5’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The new Q5 has a much larger cargo volume than the XC60 with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 22.4 cubic feet).

Towing

The new Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XC60’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the new Q5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The new Q5’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the new Q5 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 XC60.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the new Q5 has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the new Q5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XC60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Audi new Q5 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 XC60.

The new Q5 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC60, 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 new Q5 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC60.

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 new Q5 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC60, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Audi new Q5 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 new Q5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.

The new Q5’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Volvo XC60 by 51% during 2024.

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