2025 Volvo vs. Audi SUV Comparison with Specs, Price, & Photos

Volvo has long been an attractive alternative to the big German luxury brands. Whether that’s because of the sophisticated styling, the excellent reputation for safety, or Volvo’s commitment to sustainability, there are a lot of reasons to pick Volvo over the competition. To demonstrate, we’ll give you a more in-depth comparison between Volvo and Audi.

Volvo XC90 VS Audi Q7

2025.5 Volvo XC90 B5 Core	VS	2025 Audi Q7 45 Premium
$59,745 ✓	MSRP	$60,500
23 / 30 / 26 ✓	Fuel Economy MPG (city / highway / combined)	20 / 26 / 22
5,000 pounds ✓	Towing Capacity	N/A
31.9 inches ✓	3rd Row Legroom	29.2 inches
Power, hands-free ✓	Tailgate	Power
Active ✓	Blind Spot Monitoring	Passive
Standard ✓	Traffic Sign Recognition	Optional
Standard ✓	Wireless Phone Charger	Optional
4-zone ✓	Climate Control	3-zone
36 months / 36,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Not many vehicles in history have garnered the same level of praise and awards that have been bestowed on the XC90, but it does still have competitors. The competitor from Audi is the Q7, which is similar in both size and price. Performance is also similar, as both vehicles come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive. Nevertheless, there are differences. Audi does offer a mild hybrid system for the Q7, but only on the optional 55 drivetrain, not the standard one. Both drivetrains offered with the XC90 come with a mild hybrid system, and that’s why the fuel economy on the XC90 is noticeably better. The XC90 can out-tow the Q7, not that that’s especially difficult, since the Q7 isn’t rated for towing at all.

These two vehicles are similar in size, but there’s one important difference: the XC90 comes with nearly three inches more 3rd-row legroom, a much sought-after quality in this segment. The Q7 comes with a power tailgate, which has become the norm for luxury SUVs. But Volvo takes it further with a standard hands-free power tailgate, something that isn’t even available as an option on the Q7. When there is a vehicle or other obstacle in your blind spot, both vehicles will alert you with a warning light, but only the XC90 will correct your steering if you miss the light. Traffic sign recognition is a popular feature these days, since it takes the guesswork out of things like speed limits, that is why Volvo includes it as standard, even though Audi doesn’t. It’s the same story with wireless phone charging, a desirable feature that Volvo includes as standard, but Audi makes you buy an options package to have. With large vehicles like these, it’s good to have multi-zone climate control, and while both vehicles do have this feature, the XC90 has an extra zone for added comfort. Lastly, the XC90 comes with 36 months or 36,000 miles of included routine maintenance with the price of the vehicle. Audi, on the other hand, doesn’t include any with the already more expensive Q7.

Volvo EX40 VS Audi Q4 e-tron

2025 Volvo EX40 Twin Motor Core	VS	2025 Audi Q4 e-tron 55 Premium
$54,250 ✓	MSRP*	$55,200
402 ✓	Horsepower	333
4.6 seconds ✓	0-60 Time	5 seconds
260 miles ✓	Range	258 models
8 hours ✓	240v Home Charging Time	12 hours
2,000 pounds ✓	Towing Capacity	N/A
Active ✓	Blind Spot Monitoring	Passive
Standard ✓	Wireless Phone Charger	Optional
Standard ✓	Real-Time Weather Information	Not Available
48 months / 40,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Audi doesn’t even attempt to compete with much of the Volvo electric vehicle lineup, there’s no three-row electric Audi model, nor is there a subcompact. But there is a compact SUV to compete with the EX40, the Q4 e-tron. We’re comparing the AWD versions of both, since those are more popular. Size and price is again similar, but the EX40 has a very clear power advantage, which also results in a quicker 0-60 time. The difference in range isn’t very big, but it’s still significant. Both of these vehicles have the same battery capacity, 82 kWh, but the EX40 has both superior power and superior performance at the same time, thanks to the superior technology used in Volvo’s platform. This is even more evident in the massive difference in charging times when using a home 240v charger.

The 2,000-pound towing capacity that comes with the EX40 is on par with its conventional counterparts, but the Audi once again isn’t rated for towing. Similarly, blind spot monitoring is active on the EX40, but passive on the Audi, and only the EX40 comes with a standard wireless charger. Real-time weather information can be a useful tool, especially on a road trip, but it’s only available on the Volvo. Included maintenance is once again a winning category for Volvo, and it’s not even close.

Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid VS Audi SQ5

2025 Volvo XC60 Plug-In Hybrid Core	VS	2025 Audi SQ5 Premium
$59,345 ✓	MSRP	$64,800
455 HP / 523 LB-FT TQ ✓	Horsepower / Torque	362 HP / 406 LB-FT TQ
63 MPGe ✓	Combined Fuel Economy	22 MPG
36 months / 36,000 miles ✓	Included Maintenance	None

Last up, we’re going to take a look at the difference between Volvo and Audi when it comes to performance. For a high-performance version of the XC60, Volvo gave it a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that produces tremendous power. Audi took a more traditional approach and just put a bigger gasoline engine in the Q5 in order to make the SQ5. And while that did make it more powerful, it falls well short of the kind of numbers that you see from the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid. Not only that, but the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid is, as you expect, much more fuel efficient. It’s rare that extra power also allows you to save at the pump, that’s the benefit of Volvo’s advanced technology. Equipment for the base trims is comparable, but the XC60 Plug-In Hybrid also has enough of a price advantage that you can upgrade to a higher trim and it would still cost less than the SQ5, so the equipment-for-your-dollar advantage is a clear win for Volvo. And just to add one more thing, Audi doesn’t offer any included maintenance for even the higher-performance models.

Winner - Volvo

The results are clear, Volvo consistently offers more vehicle for the same or a lower price than its competitors. With their elegant Scandinavian design and advanced technology, Volvo models become even more desirable when compared to the German competition. And if you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, Volvo is the obvious choice. Let Motorcars Volvo Cars help you find the Volvo model that’s right for you.

*Starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) includes destination fee of $1,295. Images may reflect a more expensive trim level with optional equipment and accessories. Taxes, title, registration, license, insurance, maintenance, and other retailer fees are excluded from starting MSRP. Retailer sets actual price. See authorized Volvo Cars retailer for details.