Volvo XC60 vs Audi Q5
Luxury compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5 were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the XC60's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Q5's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2025; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024.
Volvo XC60
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2023
Audi Q5
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2025
- Be careful 2010–2011, 2021
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy XC60 year says nothing about whether it beats a Q5. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Volvo XC60 | Audi Q5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly collision avoidance and structure | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly collision avoidance and brakes | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly brakes and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly collision avoidance and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and power train | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and fuel system | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Volvo XC60 | 2026 Audi Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 194–455 hp | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26–28 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 15 | 0 · 7 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| XC60 Core first listed | XC60 Ultra Dark last listed | Q5 quattro Premium first listed | Q5 quattro Prestige last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (XC60, Q5).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Volvo XC60
14 manufacturer programs on file: 7 extended coverage, 7 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Volvo has determined that there is the potential for a malfunction caused by a valve inside the compressor which may contain residue from an anti-corrosive agent. Volvo Car USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD (Volvo) on behalf of Volvo Car… (P10064-2021-02-2, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage These requests may be considered if it will enhance owner retention. This is a service manager bulletin: occasionally, customers request financial assistance when the new car limited warranty, cpo limited warranty and/or the vip extended… (SMB0007120160907, 2015–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Extended Warranty P10183: I5T Oil Consumption Replace (P10183-1, 2015–2016 models)
- Extended coverage Extended Warranty P10186: VEP4 Oil Consumption Replace (P10186, 2015–2016 models)
Audi Q5
20 manufacturer programs on file: 13 extended coverage, 7 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new electromechanical steering unit warranty extension for 2012-2015 Model Year Audi B8 (A4, Q5 & SQ5) and C7 (A6) Vehicles (AWA 21, 2013–2021 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new Takata warranty extension for 2005-2017 A3, A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, S4 Sedan, S4, Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, Q5, R8 Coupe, R8 Spyder, RS4… (AWA 22, 2010–2012, 2018–2021 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new CV Joint warranty extension for 2018 Q5 & Q7 / 2019 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8, e-tron / 2020 A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q8 vehicles (AWA 23, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Reminders - TDI Approved Emissions Modifications, Emissions Compliant Repairs, corrections and extended warranty / warranty policy and loaner vehicle overview (EmailAUTDI2L-3L, 2014–2016 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2012–2020, 2022, 2024. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2025: the XC60 is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly collision avoidance and structure), while the Q5 is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly collision avoidance and brakes). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Q5 2025.
- Newest year rated a good buy: XC60 2025; Q5 2024.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: XC60 at 28 mpg (Q5: 24), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.