Verdict
The RM65,988 step up to the Volvo XC90 buys a seven-seat, all-wheel-drive SUV with 249 hp, 350 Nm, air suspension and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Its 2,984 mm wheelbase is also 167 mm longer than the Audi Q5’s, useful where second- and third-row accommodation matters. The Audi counters with a 520-litre boot, 69 litres more than the Volvo’s 451 litres, plus a 14.5-inch display and 196 hp from its 2.0-litre turbo four. For a five-seat household, the Q5 is the rational spend; the XC90 earns its premium only if its extra seats and hardware will be used.
Pick the Audi Q5 if five seats and a 520-litre boot suit your needs, and you would rather save RM65,988 than pay for seven seats and all-wheel drive.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, all-wheel drive, 249 hp and the reassurance of a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Seating: Audi Q5 five seats; Volvo XC90 seven seats.
- Power and torque: Audi Q5 196 hp and 340 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- Driveline: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive; Volvo XC90 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 520 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Warranty: Audi Q5 two years unlimited mileage; Volvo XC90 five years unlimited mileage.
Q5
- RM65,988 lower purchase price.
- 520-litre boot is 69 litres larger.
- 14.5-inch Android Automotive touchscreen and 10-speaker Audi sound system.
- Five seats versus the XC90’s seven.
- Front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive.
- Two-year warranty versus five years.
XC90
- Seven seats with a 50:50 split-folding third row.
- 249 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery cover.
- RM65,988 more expensive.
- 451-litre boot is 69 litres smaller.
- 20-inch tyres versus the Q5’s 19-inch tyres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 196 hp at 4,300 rpm | 249 hp at 5,400 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 350 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 14 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,669 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 10-speaker Audi Sound System | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q5 & XC90 for sale
Q5 vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or Volvo XC90 better?
The XC90 is better for buyers needing seven seats, all-wheel drive and 249 hp. The Q5 is the better fit for five-seat use, with a larger 520-litre boot and a RM65,988 lower price.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM65,988 more than the Audi Q5: RM418,888 against RM352,900.
Which has the better warranty?
The Volvo XC90 has the stronger cover: five years with unlimited mileage, against two years unlimited mileage for the Audi Q5. It also has an eight-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty.
