2018 Audi Q5 vs. 2018 Volvo XC60: Compare Cars
Compact crossover buyers are spoiled for choice. If you’ve narrowed your shopping list down to the 2018 Volvo XC60 and 2018 Audi Q5, you’re on the right track. These two five-seat luxury crossovers benefit from beautiful attention to detail, comfortable interiors, high marks for safety, and are available in extremely fast configurations.
We rate both the 2018 XC60 and 2018 Q5 a 7.5 out of 10, which reflects their shared traits. The XC60 wins with Volvo’s new focus on style, while the Q5’s improved engines earn it a nod for performance.
More: Read reviews of the 2018 Volvo XC60 and 2018 Audi Q5
Both crossovers are about the same size, but take different routes to get there. The XC60 takes the restrained, elegant cues of the company’s larger XC90 model and downsizes them for a two-row crossover. However, there are some differences: the XC60’s taillights are more expressive and their proportions are relatively trim. The Q5 shares many cues with the larger Audi Q7, but stands out on its own with a more agile shape and the model’s signature wide tailgate.
2018 Audi Q5
2018 Audi Q5
2018 Audi Q5
2018 Audi Q5
Inside, the XC60 is a dead ringer for the XC90. It is the strongest crossover suit. It’s not as cumbersome as the crowded, button-filled Q5. The XC60 packs most of its controls into its portrait-oriented 9.0-inch touchscreen, with only a few switches and knobs otherwise. That’s not the case for the Q5, which has a fixed infotainment screen that seems out of place at the $50,000-plus price of models common in dealer lots. Both cars feature great materials, with options of open-pore wood and soft leather available for those who want to spice things up even further. The XC60’s Bowers & Wilkins sound system deserves extra credit, though the Q5’s optional Bang & Olufsen system certainly deserves an ampersand as well.
The XC60 wins inside with its great front seats, but back-seat passengers will find more usable space in the Q5. For cargo, the XC60 moves forward with the rear seats upright or folded. Volvo quotes a maximum cargo space of 68.7 cubic feet, while the Q5 roofline slots in at 60.4 cubic feet. Both crossovers offer roof bars, but you’ll need to work your way through the dealership’s accessory department for the cross bars if you intend to use the top rack.
Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 on the road
Underhood, both crossovers look to have small-displacement engines with added boost. All versions of the XC60 use a 2.0-liter inline-four. Opt for the T5, a 250bhp turbocharged unit. Volvo uses a supercharger for the T6’s 316-horsepower engine, while the range-topping T8 features an electric motor and a 10.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack good for 400 combined horsepower and up to 20 miles of electric-only range.
The 2018 Q5 lineup starts with a 258-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 that’s more refined than Volvo’s unit, though both models work well with their automatic transmissions (8-speed in the Volvo, 7 in the Audi). Featuring an upgraded air suspension and a 354-hp turbocharged V6 engine, the SQ5 is a performance-oriented version of the Q5. The SQ5 takes a more traditional approach to getting up to speed and blasting through corners than the XC60 T8, and it does a better job at it. The Volvo is less of an inherent sport and more of a quiet cruiser, which may suit many crossover buyers better.
2018 Volvo XC60 T8
2018 Volvo XC60 T8
2018 Volvo XC60 T8
2018 Volvo XC60 T8
All-wheel drive isn’t really part of the picture for any of the crossovers, and we doubt many will mind. Both come standard with all-wheel drive for 2018, but winter tires are recommended for snowy conditions, especially with the larger 20-inch wheels.
The Q5 pulls ahead a bit in terms of fuel economy, but these two are close. Base versions of Audi come in at 23 mpg city, 27 highway, and 25 combined, according to the EPA. The XC60 is rated at 22/28/24 mpg, both designed to run on higher-priced unleaded gasoline.
Neither crossover skimps on luxury, but they have different stories to tell. They all come standard with automatic emergency braking that can stop these crossovers even without driver intervention.
Volvo has long been associated with safety, and the XC60 received a high rating in the tests conducted. The IIHS names it a Top Safety Pick when equipped with optional LED headlights on models with the Advance package. However, the federal government has not yet crash-tested the XC60, so the picture isn’t quite complete.
The Q5 earned a Top Safety Pick award and the feds gave it a five-star overall rating.
In terms of value, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Both are better equipped from the start than their Mercedes-Benz and BMW rivals. The sunroof, leather seats, and standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility on Audi and Volvo models cost thousands more on the GLC and X3 grades. The Q5 and XC60 can be well equipped with popular options for under $45,000, and feel downright luxurious closer to $50,000.
Ultimately, it’s a tough call. The Q5’s back-seat space and powerful turbo 4 are impressive. Style-conscious shoppers and those who want more luggage space should head straight to their Volvo dealer.
