[quakereric]

audi vs volvo

I was recently on an Audi forum and came across a thread in the Q7 forum of owners comparing their cars to XC90's. I saw a lot of interesting discussion and opinions on what a Q7 owner thinks of the XC90, which is probably it's most direct competitor. A few wrote that while they love the looks of the XC90, they couldn't stomach the smaller engine and the louder noise. Some seemed very biased towards the Audi from the beginning. A lot talked about how they thought the build quality on the Audi was just miles better than the Volvo.

Here are my thoughts and opinions on the Q7 in no particular order:
- I really like the way it looks even though I wasn't a fan when it debuted. However, I firmly believe the XC90 is probably one of the most beautiful SUV's on the market right now.
- Audi's virtual cockpit seems better than Volvos digital dash.
- From what I've seen they seem to have fewer glitches and minor problems than the XC90.
- The interior layout, in my opinion, is a tad boring.
- The MMI system is easier to use while on the move than Volvos Sensus, however, I prefer that Volvo eliminated all the buttons and put it in the screen.
- Definitely agree with the statement that Audi's have excellent build quality, but Volvo's are also known for awesome build quality. Motortrend even said they are "built like nails."
- Would definitely love to have the 3.0 engine in my XC90.
- Audi is way more expensive when equipped with the same options as the Volvo.

These are a few of my thoughts on the topic and I'd love to hear what you all think.

We own 2016 XC90 inscription and 2108 allroad - both bought new.

Audi mmi is much tougher to use than Volvo system. Volvo system has many drops while Audi has had zero malfunctions.
Audi is clunky cabin vs Volvo - too many stalks, levers, positions to enter and the screen looks like someone just hung it on the dash
Seats are almost as good in Audi as in Volvo - but we like Volvo on long trips. We bought Audi because Volvo failed to offer a v60 type wagon at the the time.
Both engines have more than enough low and top end power. Audi is quieter.
We think Volvo is more elegant in finish than Audi - we own Prestige Audi and fully loaded Volvo.
Con of Audi is clunky mmi and too many stalks
con of Volvo is audio/map system seems unreliable with many updates and still drops out of use to reboot.

 

[shelbo]

Hybrid was a must. T8 is an amazing powertrain. Much quieter around town in pure mode. More comfortable seats. Averaging 43mpgE. Minimalist interior better than Audi for me. Exterior looks much better than Audi for me. B&W sound much better than Audi for me. Local Audi dealer total asshole.

 

[drmanny3]

In California at least the XC90 T8 Plugin gets a red sticker that allows one person to drive in the diamond lane into 2022. That is a big deal in Southern California traffic. I don't believe you can get a plugin of the Q7. Or at least I have not seen it offered here.

 

[VxF]

Overall, I love the Q7. I prefer the XC90, or I used to, but too many problems, always something broken. I didn't get a single day of care-free driving in almost 30k miles with my T8. No problems so far with the Q7.

Q7 pros:
- Quieter. A lot quieter. Can't stress this enough.
- Much smoother on uneven surfaces (air on both vehicles, for comparison).
- Higher durability everything. The leather is not cracking. The dashboard is not falling apart. The moonroof is not leaking. The paint is not as soft.
- V6 rocks. Coupled with a superior gearbox, it's super smooth.
- Coming from a 2017 T8, range is a bit plus on the Q7.
- No Sensus-lag.

Q7 cons:
- Volvo had better seats. Even the super-expensive premium seats in Audi are not quite as good.
- Looks. The Q7 is ugly outside, ugly inside.
- Small cupholders, little storage. But, then again, Volvo didn't shine either.
- Third row is a joke.
- The weird angle screens. Everything is angled down, to reduce glare. But it feels weird, if you are tall.

 

[Ivos]

Q7 pros:
- Quieter. A lot quieter. Can't stress this enough.
- Much smoother on uneven surfaces (air on both vehicles, for comparison).
- V6 rocks. Coupled with a superior gearbox, it's super smooth.

Yes, exactly and unfortunately ... This is from where Volvo people should humbly learn a lot. Driving Q7 and sitting then in XC90 is like moving from a smoothly breezing luxury car to a rattling tractor ...

Q7 cons:
- Volvo had better seats. Even the super-expensive premium seats in Audi are not quite as good.
- Looks. The Q7 is ugly outside, ugly inside.
- Small cupholders, little storage. But, then again, Volvo didn't shine either.
- Third row is a joke.
- The weird angle screens. Everything is angled down, to reduce glare. But it feels weird, if you are tall.

Very true as well ... Plus you forgot cargo space. You can put so much more into XC90. For me one of the key factors ...

 

[Brutus99]

Where's the beating dead horse emoji? Can't find it.

lmao 😂👍
PS Here it is, I finally found it lol

 

[LukeyBL]

DeMuro just did a review of the Q7 and mentioned how he prefers the XC90 in a couple of different instances

The Q7 looks are just so blah. There are so so many of them where I live and see them multiple times a day. It looks like a beefy Toyota Venza, not a car that does much for me in that department

 

[volvoxc9008]

DeMuro just did a review of the Q7 and mentioned how he prefers the XC90 in a couple of different instances

The Q7 looks are just so blah. There are so so many of them where I live and see them multiple times a day. It looks like a beefy Toyota Venza, not a car that does much for me in that department

Where I live there are SO MANY XC90's, there are 2 brand new ones down the street from me. The Q7 is pretty popular to, just not as much as the Volvo's here. I see plenty of S60r and V70r too, which are rare cars. Also, look at the new Mercedes EQC, it looks exactly like the toyota venza...

 

[FusionRedXC60]

Where I live there are SO MANY XC90's, there are 2 brand new ones down the street from me. The Q7 is pretty popular to, just not as much as the Volvo's here. I see plenty of S60r and V70r too, which are rare cars. Also, look at the new Mercedes EQC, it looks exactly like the toyota venza...

XC90 is so easy to catch my eyes. I tried to find Q7's on road, but I have to drive close enough to see if it is Q7 or Q5 to make sure.

 

[volvoxc9008]

XC90 is so easy to catch my eyes. I tried to find Q7's on road, but I have to drive close enough to see if it is Q7 or Q5 to make sure.

I can even spot XC90's at night, the tail light design is unmistakable.

 

[GoBlue99]

We considered the Q7, but the tiny third row was pretty much a deal breaker. Like others, I was bored by the exterior look (though I do really like the interior).
Finally, we had 2 friends that moved from the new Q7 to the XC90, and were happy with the move.

 

[OURDESIGN]

When the Q7 is fitted with the Q8 interior I'll be a buyer. Until then no space ship dash and popup screen for me.

 

[volvoxc9008]

When the Q7 is fitted with the Q8 interior I'll be a buyer. Until then no space ship dash and popup screen for me.

I heard that this generation Q7, isn't getting the updated interior.

 

[OURDESIGN]

When the Q7 is fitted with the Q8 interior I'll be a buyer. Until then no space ship dash and popup screen for me.

I heard that this generation Q7, isn't getting the updated interior.

This generation was released in 2016 and is due for a facelift in 2020 or 2021. No one on the outside knows if it will happen but I'd say there's a good chance we'll see it in the refresh. No way Audi will let BMW and Mercedes have the advantage for long.
If it's not in this generation it won't be until 2024? for next generation and by then tech will be more advanced and designs will be updated.

 

[huntpsu1]

What I don't understand is the need for auto manufacturer's to dedicate so much space to climate controls given most are automatically temp controlled, and can even be set for auto defrost and account for sun positioning. I mean, how often do people really adjust the controls, absent the temp control? It is for that reason I take no issue with Volvo's minimalistic approach.

Along these lines, I find the Audi cockpit a bit busy, also looking at the high gloss interior. I would also think the Google map feature on the driver display would get old after a while. I mean, the driver is supposed to mind the road, right?

 

[volvoxc9008]

This generation was released in 2016 and is due for a facelift in 2020 or 2021. No one on the outside knows if it will happen but I'd say there's a good chance we'll see it in the refresh. No way Audi will let BMW and Mercedes have the advantage for long.
If it's not in this generation it won't be until 2024? for next generation and by then tech will be more advanced and designs will be updated.

They may just do an early re-design like BMW did with the new X5, since the previous one got outdated fast. Especially since Audi never changes their interiors drastically on facelifts. There have already been pictures of the face-lifted Audi Q7 and the changes look minor. Updated headlights and grille, however the tail lights are the exact same and lidar system in the grille.

 

[volvoxc9008]

What I don't understand is the need for auto manufacturer's to dedicate so much space to climate controls given most are automatically temp controlled, and can even be set for auto defrost and account for sun positioning. I mean, how often do people really adjust the controls, absent the temp control? It is for that reason I take no issue with Volvo's minimalistic approach.

Along these lines, I find the Audi cockpit a bit busy, also looking at the high gloss interior. I would also think the Google map feature on the driver display would get old after a while. I mean, the driver is supposed to mind the road, right?

I change my temperature, fan speed, heated seat and wheel controls, numerous times while driving. I hate auto climate, it never gets it right for me...

 

[Zahra]

Along these lines, I find the Audi cockpit a bit busy, also looking at the high gloss interior. I would also think the Google map feature on the driver display would get old after a while. I mean, the driver is supposed to mind the road, right?

Right!
The longer I have the XC90, the more gimmicky and overbusy a lot of other design look.
The Audi cockpit scores very high in that respect

 

[OURDESIGN]

This generation was released in 2016 and is due for a facelift in 2020 or 2021. No one on the outside knows if it will happen but I'd say there's a good chance we'll see it in the refresh. No way Audi will let BMW and Mercedes have the advantage for long.
If it's not in this generation it won't be until 2024? for next generation and by then tech will be more advanced and designs will be updated.

They may just do an early re-design like BMW did with the new X5, since the previous one got outdated fast. Especially since Audi never changes their interiors drastically on facelifts. There have already been pictures of the face-lifted Audi Q7 and the changes look minor. Updated headlights and grille, however the tail lights are the exact same and lidar system in the grille.

I've seen them. Hard to tell from the pics but looks like there's no MMI screen on dash. BMW was much further into their generation then the Q7 so I don't see a complete redesign coming anytime soon.

 

[volvoxc9008]

I've seen them. Hard to tell from the pics but looks like there's no MMI screen on dash. BMW was much further into their generation then the Q7 so I don't see a complete redesign coming anytime soon.

Normally BMW keeps their X5 designs out for 6-7 years, with this last generation they only went from 2014-2018, which is short. I doubt Audi will make major changes before 2020. Off topic statement: I hope Volvo doesn't do what they did with there XC90 first gen. and use the same design for upwards of 12 years.