2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling. The XC90 retained Volvo's recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille, but introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character. It featured an expressive face with LED headlights and a big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body had crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold, large taillights. The Q5 PHEV stood out with S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, with an uncluttered appearance despite being packed with technology. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped, and the materials were authentic, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was well-placed, and the second row offered standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, resulting in a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide flexible performance, especially in the plug-in hybrid model, where the gasoline engine often had to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds for most models, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV built on the standard gasoline-only Q5 (badged as Q5 45) by adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, which matched well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. It could drive for a limited range on battery power alone (up to 20 miles) and offered modes to reserve battery power or drive in hybrid mode. The Q5 PHEV achieved 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and had impressive fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined, with 27 mpg in gasoline-only mode. The Q5's handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, minimal body roll, and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The XC90 offered standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. Up front, the Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, which was near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches), accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for shorter rides. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center console. The interior design was uncluttered and functional.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. It had two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, but the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came with Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a new center-console touchpad. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles, although it struggled with highway curves.

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