2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while moving towards the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms, including the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) for the XC90, which debuted as a 2016 model. The 2022 XC90 featured a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. Its design elements, such as the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, paid homage to its Swedish heritage. Inside, the XC90 boasted a "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" aesthetic, with natural wood and metal trim, and options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, offering a classy yet sporty appearance. Available in both a regular SUV and a Sportback version, the Q5's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 featured a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard leather seating and heated front seats were complemented by available heated steering wheel and rear seats. The Q5's technology included a 10-inch touchscreen, but the materials, while good, no longer felt as special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The Q5's build quality was solid, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a reliable choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 achieving 11.5 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 on the highway, while the Recharge offered an 8.8 L/100 km combined rating in hybrid mode and a 29-kilometre EV range. The XC90's driving experience was superb, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the Recharge Inscription extended range model.

The 2023 Audi Q5 also provided three engine options: the base 40 TFSI quattro with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, the midrange 45 TFSI quattro with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's plug-in hybrid offered a 37-kilometre electric-only range and required 2.5 hours for a full charge on a 7.4 kW home charger. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, but once underway, it provided adequate power. The Q5's handling was sporty, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering, though spirited drivers might prefer the higher-performing SQ5.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults would find it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 provided up to 357 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with the second and third rows folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior was spacious and airy, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well, even in extreme heat, and the AWD system and heated seats made it suitable for winter conditions.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to be functional and well-organized. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. The Q5 offered good outward visibility, with a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably. The Q5's storage options included several compartments, though some were oddly sized. The cargo space behind the rear seats was 730 litres, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback model. The Q5's door pockets were spacious, and keyless entry was standard.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. While the system was intuitive, it was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with better performance observed using Apple CarPlay. The XC90 included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system in the Advanced package. Keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system were standard on higher trims, and the vehicle offered multiple USB ports for device charging.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's native infotainment system had large on-screen buttons for easy operation, but Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through Audi Connect Care. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving, providing a safe and relaxing experience. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Audi Q5 also excelled in safety, earning five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Technik trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated park assist system.