2023 Audi Q5 vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Audi Q5's exterior styling combined subtle curves with angular accents, creating an appearance that was both classy and sporty. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Despite the general dislike for "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback was an exception, thanks to a spoiler-like element above the taillights that provided a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 was refined with a simple layout, though its age began to show since its last redesign five years ago. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash was a notable feature, though the materials quality, while good, no longer felt as special as it once did.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution from Volvo's past "rolling bricks" design. The XC90's front end appeared stout and solid without being overly flashy, and its grille was assertive yet not too big. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern flair missing from older Volvos. The XC90's dimensions and shape leaned toward rectilinear but were far from the toaster-like designs of the past. Our test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding drama to the otherwise stoic XC90. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, giving it richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a gorgeous two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist interior featured wood deco inlays and a clean look, though it lacked ample cubby space for smaller items.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and was the only engine available for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) that made 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-to-react transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate. Handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering. The engine and exhaust remained quiet unless the accelerator was floored, and road and wind noise were well silenced.

For the 2023 model year, Volvo replaced its older turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines (T5 and T6) in the XC90 with new B5 and B6 engines, featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 employed a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, like the T6, used a supercharger and a turbo with mild-hybrid tech to churn out 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoother operation, though the benefits were minimal. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable but reserved, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Road and wind noise were kept at bay, and the brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. The XC90 lacked multiple drive modes and off-road features, but it handled well in various conditions, including a New Hampshire snowstorm.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign but had aged well. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash in the driver's sightline, reducing distraction, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrowly profiled front roof pillar. The rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, with only a slight reduction in headroom in the Sportback model. Front passengers had several storage places, though some were oddly sized and shaped. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's front seats were peaceful and pleasant, but the minimalist design led to space and storage frustrations. There was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the USB port was located in the small center console bin. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, but removing the middle seat for captain’s chairs cost $500 and required upgrading to the B6 engine. The third row was difficult to access and offered limited space. With the third seat in position, the XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down, and maxing out at 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and relatively quick responses, though it took a while to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto could be used wirelessly in all Q5 trims. A Bang & Olufsen audio system was standard on higher trims. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native infotainment system were large and easy to read, but the app buttons in Apple CarPlay were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, allowing feature control such as unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims benefited from a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, the first company to feature this technology as the standard infotainment system. Google OS included Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. Natural-language recognition was excellent, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were filed away within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons and redundant controls, making it challenging to adjust features like the heated steering wheel and driver’s seat position. These issues might fade with long-term ownership, but they were notable during testing.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. All Q5 models came with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was well-regarded for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS in 2022. The XC90 featured an impressive list of advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which helped maintain distance from the car ahead and supported lane-keeping from a standstill to highway speed. These safety features were standard equipment on the 2023 Volvo XC90.