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Audi Q5 vs Volvo XC90

2026 Audi Q5 vs 2026 Volvo XC90 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q5

2026 Audi Q5

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 4Volvo XC90 wins 4 of 7 categories
Volvo XC90

2026 Volvo XC90

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Volvo XC90 is more fuel-efficient: 27 vs 24 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $350 a year less in fuel for the Volvo XC90 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Volvo XC90 is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Volvo XC90 has had fewer recall campaigns (28 vs 34).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q5 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,343 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Volvo XC90 is a standard SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 196 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,449 lb (4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q5 and the 2018 XC90 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Q5 and the 2016 XC90.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
27 MPG
21 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$3,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,050

Performance & space

268 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
455 hp
–
Seats (most)
7
185.8 in
Length
195.7 in
74.8 in
Width
79.1 in
64.2 in
Height
70.1 in
4,343 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,449 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
13
0
Recalls (2026)
1
34
Recalls, all years since 2005
28
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
8

Interest

14,151
Wikipedia views, 30 days
17,920

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2018
2018
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q5 if…

  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Choose the Volvo XC90 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (27 vs 24 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 455 vs 268 hp)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You put reliability history first (28 vs 34 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q5

  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Volvo XC90

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 27 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 455 hp, versus about 335 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi Q5 specs →Full 2026 Volvo XC90 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →