Due to its larger cabin, three different powertrain options, increased cargo volume, lower price, and a base model with more standard tech features than the entry-level Audi, the Volvo XC60 outperforms the Audi Q5 in five out of seven categories to take home the win in our comparison.
The Q5, however, is tempting due to its greater towing capability and marginally higher fuel efficiency.
Both of these luxury SUVs are excellent choices, but the XC60 shows that despite Volvo’s less well-known brand, it has what it takes to compete against Germany’s major high-end automakers.
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Performance, ride, handling, refinement
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.
Is buying a Volvo XC60 worthwhile?
Absolutely, the Volvo XC60 is a top-notch, small luxury SUV. It offers a lavish interior with high-quality cabin furnishings and comfortable seats with enough of head- and legroom in both rows. Also among the best in its class is the cargo capacity.
Which SUVs can rival the Volvo XC60?
Volvo XC60 2021 vs. Competitors
- Volvo XC60 in 2021.
- Acura RDX in 2021.
- 2021 Audi Q5.
- 2021 BMW X3.
- Lincoln Nautilus for 2020.
- Mercedes-GLC Benz’s Class for 2020.
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.
Volvo or Audi, which is more secure?
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.
Is maintaining a Volvo XC60 expensive?
During the first ten years of ownership, a Volvo XC60 will require roughly $12,129 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $3, 585 less than the luxury SUV market average. Additionally, there is a 36.25 percent likelihood that an XC60 will need a significant repair within that time. Compared to comparable automobiles in its sector, this is 3.31 percent better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
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The Volvo XC60’s lifespan
A Volvo XC60 will typically survive 200,000250,000 miles if it is driven carefully, maintained frequently, and taken care of. This translates to 1317 years of service before breaking down or needing pricey repairs when traveling 15,000 miles annually.
Is the Volvo XC60 trustworthy in 2021?
The Volvo XC60: Is it Reliable? The expected dependability rating for the 2021 XC60 is 73 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
What alternatives are there to the Volvo XC60?
- 2019 Audi Q5. $42,950 | NBC News 8.9/10 on a scale of 1-10.
- $47,700 for a 2019 Volvo XC90 | NBC News Score overall: 8.1/10.
- $37,400 | 2019 Acura RDX NBC News 8.9/10 on a scale of 1-10.
- $43,670 for the 2019 Lexus RX | U.S. News 8.6/10 on a scale of 1-10.
- 2019 BMW X3.
- Volvo XC40 for 2019.
- Subaru Outback for 2019.
- CR-V 2019 Honda.
What companies compete with Volvo?
Ten Volvo XC60 Rivals to Take into Account
- Honda RDX.
- Audi Q5.
- BMW X3.
- XT5 Cadillac.
- the Blazer Chevrolet.
- Grand Cherokee Jeep.
- Nissan QX50.
- Sorento Kia.
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.
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