Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90
Luxury midsize SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Q7's own years, its best bet is 2023; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the XC90's own years, its best bet is 2021; years to avoid: 2016; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Audi Q7
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017
Volvo XC90
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2021
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2016
- Be careful 2017
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 Q7 year says nothing about whether it beats a XC90. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Audi Q7 | Volvo XC90 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly collision avoidance and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and suspension | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2016 | Not rated | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and structure | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | 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 Audi Q7 | 2026 Volvo XC90 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 335 hp | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 194–455 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo + supercharged, 194–455 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 20–22 mpg | 23–27 mpg |
| Seats | — | — |
| Third row | — | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 1 | 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
| Q7 quattro Premium first listed | Q7 quattro Prestige w/ Sport plus pkg./quattro Prestige last listed | XC90 Core first listed | XC90 Ultra Dark 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 (Q7, XC90).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Audi Q7
18 manufacturer programs on file: 14 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Reminders - TDI Approved Emissions Modifications, Emissions Compliant Repairs, corrections and extended warranty / warranty policy and loaner vehicle overview (EmailAUTDI2L-3L, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new A/C evaporator warranty extension for 2017-2021 A4/S4/Q7 and 2018-2021 A5/S5/Q5 vehicles (AWA 21, 2017–2021 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, 2018–2021 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new brake warranty extension for 2017-2018 Q7 vehicles (AWA 22, 2017–2018, 2020–2021 models)
Volvo XC90
11 manufacturer programs on file: 6 extended coverage, 5 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Volvo Cars USA LLC on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation, has voluntarily decided to extend warranty coverage on vehicles exhibiting functionality issues with Apple CarPlay for certain model year 2016-2021 XC90 vehicles. (P10263, 2016–2021 models)
- 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, 2016–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This condition can illuminate the Check Engine Lamp in the Driver Information Module with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) ECM-P018C00. Volvo Car USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD (Volvo) on behalf of Volvo Car Corporation, has voluntarily… (PB23-P29929-2019, 2016–2017 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, 2016–2017 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: 2010–2014, 2018–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: XC90 2016.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Q7 2025; XC90 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: XC90 at 27 mpg (Q7: 22), 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.