The larger, more potent engine in the Q7 gives it the advantage over the XC90. It accelerates more quickly and gains speed more quickly, allowing it to easily pass slower traffic. Nevertheless, the XC90 never feels underpowered and enjoys cruising at highway speeds, unconcerned by inclination or passing other cars.
The smoother and quieter engine of the Audi goes along with its increased speed. The Volvo’s diesel, in contrast, has a tiny bit more background rumble, which is most noticeable in populated areas or while accelerating quickly.
Both vehicles have eight-speed automatic transmissions with manual overrides that shift smoothly, but only the Q7 has paddle shifters located on the steering wheel.
The adaptive air suspension systems in our two test vehicles were optional, and there is a noticeable variation in how each is set up. Because the Volvo is stiffer and more securely fastened, its body leans less in turns than the Audi’s. It feels lighter and more agile than the other because of its sharper steering.
The Audi, in comparison, seems heavier, even when the suspension is set to the firmest Dynamic level. Its body sags a bit more than the Volvo’s does, and the steering is less responsive.
As a result, driving the Audi quickly is less fun, but it makes up for this by being the superior cruiser. Its suspension is able to smooth out the XC90’s jittery ride even on the optional 21-inch wheels, and it is the less likely of the two to thump over major potholes. Additionally, suspension noise is reduced.
The Q7 maintains the trend of cabin refinement by making less noise from the wind and the road. But don’t think the Volvo is a noisy, uncomfortable vehicle. Although it is far from it, the Audi has a higher level of refinement.
In This Article...
Volvo vs. Audi: Which is safer?
Unique safety features can only be offered by one high-end brand. Volvo outperforms Audi in terms of safety, from the 360-degree surround view camera to the partially autonomous drive technology Pilot Assist.
Volvo or Audi: whose maintenance costs are less?
Despite being more expensive than other premium models according to a list made by Your Mechanic Inc., Volvos are less expensive to maintain. Volvo cars typically cost $100 more to maintain over a ten-year ownership period than Audi models.
Is a Volvo the most dependable vehicle?
Volvo is a forward-thinking, safety-conscious automaker with a long history of producing dependable vehicles.
The company created its first model in 1927 after realizing the demand for a vehicle that could survive the harsh conditions of Swedish roads and weather. They have now introduced a variety of automobiles to foreign markets.
There is a wide variety of Volvos to fit all lifestyles and driving requirements, from sleek sedans like the S60 to contemporary family cars like the V60.
It’s never simple to choose what make and model of used car to buy. Every brand has distinctive attributes and features, some of which are more dependable than others.
Here are Volvo’s ratings for long-term dependability:
Reliability Ratings
The annual Consumer Reports Auto Reliability study, which compiles information from the experiences of thousands of owners of automobiles that are roughly three years old, can be used to assess the dependability of popular car models.
Each car model is assigned a score, and the lower the number of issues recorded in the previous 12 months, the higher the score.
The Volvo brand received a high score of 93.8 percent in 2020, placing it at number 16 in the rankings.
When compared:
- Ford was ranked 18th with a score of 93.7 percent.
- Volkswagen came in 20th place with a slightly lower score of 93.2 percent.
- Lexus, Mitsubishi, and Toyota were determined to be the most dependable automakers, with a reliability rating of 98.7%, 97.9%, and 97.7%, respectively.
This suggests that owners of Volvos required fewer repairs overall than those of Ford or Volkswagens, and that they also experienced considerably fewer breakdowns than Tesla automobiles.
How is Reliability Judged?
When rating a car’s dependability, the assessor considers a variety of characteristics and adds them together to produce an overall score. The frequency of car breakdowns is one of these variables.
The seriousness of the problems encountered, the cost of repairs, and the length of time required for each repair are additional factors. A car’s general maintenance requirements to keep it in good working order are also considered.
In reliability studies, a large sample size is always employed to take into account potential confounding factors. For instance, careless driving may cause some automotive components to degrade more quickly.
Much older cars are also excluded from reliability studies since after a certain age, a car’s reliability may depend on how well it has been maintained, but defects in the first few years of a car’s lifecycle can be caused by how it was manufactured. A vehicle’s lifetime, for instance, might be increased with routine maintenance.
Avoiding significant changes to an area of a model redesign is one strategy that automakers can use to reduce the likelihood of any unanticipated flaws, like as problems with new technological systems.
The reliability ratings for vehicle manufacturers who embrace this design strategy are typically greater than those for those who do not.
Why Does Volvo Score So Well?
On average, Volvo vehicles appear to be a little bit older than other manufacturers of vehicles when they first have mechanical problems. Additionally, they spend less time in the repair shop.
The three-point seat belt, the seat belt reminder, and the side impact protection system were all first introduced by Volvo, which is arguably best renowned for its safety features. Roll-over prevention and a blind spot information system are more recent additions.
This brand of car is regarded as a dependable alternative in part because to its consistent design. Volvo has spent time and money perfecting this design because the undercarriage of most of their vehicles is the same.
Even the best automobiles occasionally have issues. Volvo vehicles have a history of having minor software and satellite navigation system bugs.
Audi and Volvo interchangeably?
Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Volkswagen are all brands owned by Volkswagen AG. Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus are all brands owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (ZGH).
Why are Volvo vehicles the best?
Now that we know why Volvo is regarded as the safest automaker available, we can say with confidence that the 2019 XC40 is the safest compact SUV, having received a 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus. With a 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, the 2019 XC60 is the safest midsize luxury SUV.
Are Volvos prone to breakdowns?
Volvo’s well-known small SUV, the XC60, is loaded with technology and safety features to make long drives enjoyable. But how trustworthy is this lord of the roads? Will it cause you problems if you’re taking a long trip to see relatives or clients?
Since the model’s initial 2008 debut, there have been two generations; the first generation was produced from 2008 until 2017, when the second generation started to be made.
Volvo is a very safety-conscious company, but that does not imply the XC60 is faultless. The driving experience of first-generation model owners has been impacted by a number of issues, according to reports.
Reports of problems include:
- issues with the cooling fan for the engine
- issues with the fuel pump’s electrical module
- Fuel leaks brought on by improperly installed fuel lines
- power steering issues
- issues with the transmission
- The shift mechanism may become blocked if a piece of it becomes loose.
The most recent ReliabilityIndex report (2019) shows that the SUV XC60 has received average ratings. It received a score of 112, placing it lower than the top 100 automobiles listed on the website and 31 points beneath the 100th car (the Citroen C-Crosser).
The Volvo XC60 requires an average of 2 hours 15 minutes for maintenance, which is less time off the road than some of its close competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan even if it isn’t a Top 100 car. The average cost of repairs, though, is a little higher than you may anticipate, coming in at 410.96.
According to the ReliabilityIndex research, the axle and suspension were the most frequently encountered problems by owners, as reported by 23.11 percent of those surveyed. Electrical problems came in second place, with 21.23 percent of owners indicating that they needed to have them fixed when questioned.
Even though only 2.36 percent of people reported having issues with the XC60’s air conditioning, this nevertheless required repairs and time away from the road.
The first-generation XC60 received a less-than-impressive dependability rating in the Which? reliability study. Older models between the ages of 3 and 8 only receive 2 out of a possible 5 stars, while models under 3 years old receive an average of 3.
Nearly a third (30%) of first-generation XC60 owners with cars less than 12 months old had to take their cars to a shop for repairs. This is higher than average, which is disappointing for a young car given that the average for vehicles between 0 and 3 years old is 25%.
The most frequently reported difficulties for first-generation XC60 drivers were defective tire-pressure sensors and troubles with the in-car navigation systems. Both of these problems are not so serious. However, the full list of issues that respondents to the poll described includes include some that might constitute transmission issues
First-generation (2008-2017) model owners report a number of problems that are uncommon in more recent generations of vehicles.
The problems persist as the vehicle ages. If anything, owners of vehicles between 3 and 8 years old visited the shop for repairs more frequently. 44 percent of owners of XC60 models older than three years said they had to take their vehicle to the shop at some point. Many people had battery or exhaust/emission control system problems repeatedly. One in twenty XC60 owners who took part in the survey said their cooling system had problems.
Due to all of these problems, the older first-generation XC60 was only given 2 stars out of 5.
XC60’s second generation has done significantly better than its first, at least in the eyes of those who took part in the Which? dependability poll for 2019. The second-generation SUV received 4 out of a possible 5 stars, compared to the first-generation model’s 3 stars. There is no information for vehicles older than two years because the second-generation XC60 has only been available since 2017. Owners of the newer model, however, are reporting positive results.
Need to finance, lease, or purchase a new Volvo? Contact our team of experts by requesting a callback or by dialing 01903 538835 right away.
Is Toyota superior to Volvo?
According to data from the 2020 Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power & Associates, which polled new car owners, Toyota vehicles have superior initial quality than Volvo vehicles. Toyota is ranked 19th in initial quality by J.D. Power. Volvo is ranked 31st with 33 more faults per 100 vehicles.
Toyota vehicles are more dependable than Volvo vehicles, according to data on long-term dependability from J.D. Power & Associates’ 2019 study of owners of three-year-old vehicles. Toyota is ranked second in terms of reliability by J.D. Power, above average for the sector. Volvo is ranked 29th with 96 more faults per 100 vehicles.
Toyota vehicles are more dependable than Volvo vehicles, according to Consumer Reports’ December 2019 Auto Issue polls of all of its members. Toyota is ranked third in reliability by Consumer Reports. Volvo is rated number 24.
What are some typical Volvo issues?
Volvo, a Swedish automaker, makes a variety of high-end automobiles, including sedans and SUVs. However, just because they cost more than average doesn’t necessarily mean they have no mechanical problems. The following are some of the most typical problems experienced with various Volvo models:
With five significant recalls and 95 complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2003 Volvo XC90 appears to have the most issues (NHTSA). Compare that to the 2020 Volvo XC40, the model with the fewest complaints and no recalls for the company.
Check out the table below for a more detailed look at the most frequent problems affecting various Volvo models.
Does Volvo outperform German automobiles?
Compared to their German rivals, Volvo cars are much more reliable, sensibly designed, and have more consistent quality. Mercedes experienced severe corrosion issues in the early 2000s because of subpar steel, whereas Volvo has never experienced corrosion issues.
Are German vehicles superior to Volvos?
Compared to their German rivals, Volvo cars are much more logically designed and robust, and their quality is more reliable. Due to subpar steel, Mercedes experienced severe corrosion issues in the early 2000s, yet Volvo has never experienced corrosion issues.