2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights squinting beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the greenhouse resembled a protective shell. The rear showcased bold, large taillights, giving the Q5 a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in Q5 wore some S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, setting it apart from the gasoline-only Q5.

Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern. Despite being packed with technology, it maintained an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, creating a pleasing unity of design. The material selection was high-quality, with real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, perfectly positioned in the driver’s line of sight. The second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

Volvo had come a long way from its box-shaped cars and wagons of the past, and the 2022 XC90 was a testament to this evolution. The XC90 had a great stance and a wonderful profile, with a body that seemed tilted toward the front as if poised to launch. The roofline was long and sleek, containing the big greenhouse without telegraphing bulk and height. Pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, and a snub nose recalled the upright grille of the classic 245 wagon. Superior fit and finish conveyed quality, and the LED detail in the headlights, called "Thor's Hammer," added a nod to the XC90's Swedish heritage.

The interior of the XC90 could only be described in home interior terms like "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury." Natural wood and metal trim brought an authentic feel, with exquisite details like the sliding wood tambor cover on the center console and the clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo had committed to going leather-free by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather. The non-leather option was a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, which Volvo promised was easy to care for and long-lasting. Our test car came with leather seats, which proved beneficial during a week of high temperatures and unbearable humidity.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took an already fun crossover and made it better. The standard gasoline-only Q5 (badged as Q5 45) was enjoyable to drive, but the PHEV added an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. This brought the total combined output to 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, a good match for the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing convincing acceleration (0 – 60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, the Q5 PHEV was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. It could be switched into modes to drive on battery power only (up to 20 miles), reserve battery power for later, or automatically drive in hybrid mode. Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and four-wheel independent suspension provided good handling, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. Body roll was minimal and controlled, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains. T5 models used a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. T6 models had a supercharged and turbocharged version of that engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 had a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque from gasoline and electric sources. T5 models were front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive, while T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 engines used Premium gasoline. The EPA estimated T5 FWD models to achieve 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and T5 AWD models at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. T6 AWD models were rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 got a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant had a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. Charging the battery from empty to fully charged took about five hours at 240 volts.

The XC90 handled like a smaller SUV despite its size. Body roll was minimal and controlled. The T8 Inscription extended range model provided spirited acceleration, with the electric motor eliminating turbo lag and smoothing out power delivery. The XC90 was not a hot rod but had enough going on to make it fun to drive.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row offered 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. Two adults could sit comfortably in the second row, with a third adult squeezing in for shorter rides. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim.

The front row featured a pair of cupholders, several cubbies and nooks for phones and other items, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest. The interior design was uncluttered, with everything functioning well and laid out smartly.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 came in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration and powertrain.

The XC90 made the most of its interior space with ample door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a big glove compartment. The cabin was airy and spacious, enhanced by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, cooling rapidly and effectively.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The customizable instrument panel, combined with color/mood-adjustable LED ambient interior cabin lights, elevated the cabin's futuristic tech level.

The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, providing a built-in transponder compatible with most toll road services in the U.S. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch diagonal, portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system was intuitive but occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. It worked better with Apple CarPlay, and the XC90 also supported Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy configuration and crisp graphics. The $1,650 Advanced package included a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner.

The XC90 came with standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound, with a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. The standout feature was surround sound staging, with a sonic model of the Gothenburg Cathedral. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial subscription, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 gasoline-only model received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which received a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars but hadn’t rated the PHEV. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. Volvo's Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane and at a set speed with minimal driver intervention. The 2022 XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.