Topic: Comparison Test: 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Platinum vs 2014 Audi Q5 TDI Technik

[Autos_Editor]

The Volvo XC60 T6 AWD and Audi's Q5 TDI approach the premium SUV market from different angles.

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[KD]

The best of both worlds IMO would be the Volvo with the TDI drive-train out of the Audi...    But getting back to reality I agree that the Volvo is the nicer of the two vehicles in question.  It has more room, seems more comfortable and is much much better looking which is a nice feature in itself for a vehicle in this premium class.

[sailor723]

A $70,000 Volvo XC60? 

You know you're getting old when prices start seeming more and more outrageous. 

[Snowman]

Now that is were Autos should take every SUV and truck though during a test session! not over a groomed gravel pile 

[quadzilla]

Pricing: 2014 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD Platinum
Base Price: $47,950
Base Price T6 AWD Platinum: $52,850
Options: Technology Package – $1,500 (Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist, Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist detection with Full Auto Brake, Lane Departure Warning, Road Sign Information), Blind Spot Information System – $1,000, Active Dual Xenon Headlights with Headlight Washers – $1,000, Polestar Performance chip – $1,495.
A/C Tax: $100
Delivery: $1,095
Price as tested: $69,040

52,850 + 1,500 + 1,000 + 1,000 + 1,495 + 100 + 1,095 = $59,040

[JacobBlack]

Price as tested: $69,040

52,850 + 1,500 + 1,000 + 1,000 + 1,495 + 100 + 1,095 = $59,040
[/quote]

Good catch. This has been fixed. This Volvo and I really do have a turbulent relationship...

[quadzilla]

Your're welcome but don't know if it will stop the bitching about the price. 

[JacobBlack]

Your're welcome but don't know if it will stop the bitching about the price. 

Personally I think all cars should cost $3,500. Be manual, and diesel, and wagons, and have 500 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, and RWD, and a heated steering wheel.

[blotter]

great write up!

never, ever trust Google Maps
 

Niagara is the land of clay as you found out.   There are tons of old access roads for farmers which for some reason are shown on google maps as roads........   not so!

from the picture, looks like you guys ended up on an old hydro access road (looking at the line of poles).



Volvo would be my choice as well.  Much, much better looking. 

[tpl]

Your're welcome but don't know if it will stop the bitching about the price. 

Personally I think all cars should cost $3,500. Be manual, and diesel, and wagons, and have 500 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque, and RWD, and a heated steering wheel.

No.   We need cars to be un affordable so that (poor)  people will use the transit that the government is about to raid our wallets for and not buy cars.

[DriverJeff]

great write up!

never, ever trust Google Maps
 

Niagara is the land of clay as you found out.   There are tons of old access roads for farmers which for some reason are shown on google maps as roads........   not so!

from the picture, looks like you guys ended up on an old hydro access road (looking at the line of poles).



Volvo would be my choice as well.  Much, much better looking.

Hey!  Even on Google Street View it showed it as a simple gravel road!   

[whaddaiknow]

I'd pick the Volvo too. Looks great from all angles and a great powertrain.

[jyarkony]

and this is the Volvo to get... skip the R-Design because that suspension is just too harsh and out of character for the Volvo. It's a fine line they have to tread, trying to appear sporty to compete with sporty brands like BMW and Audi, but Volvo does comfort superlatively and need to find a way to get attention and sales without resorting to ham-handed attempts at sports cars like their R-Design models. they should have a Super-C line that offers super-comfort or something like that... i wonder how well that would work... 

[SaskSpecV]

Nice write-up about your (mis)adventures, boys!

As for the potential difference in off-road ability, what about the stock tires?  I imagine they are both fairly low profile, and poor for those conditions, but maybe the Audi's had a little more aggressive tread?

Slightly off topic - is there much of a difference between the XC60 and XC70?  I assume the XC60 is a little taller but shorter in length - but what about chassis and powertrain options?  They kinda strike me as premium versions of the Subaru Forester/Outback, respectively - a "true" CUV and a "wagonish" CUV, with a lot of overlap in capabilities, target market, etc.

[Solstice2006]

I thought being from Australia you would be able to drive better than the average joe, being you get better cars and experience.....

Nice article, It would be a toss up for me, haven't driven either, out of my price range, but I like the diesel fuel economy, the torque, the higher tow rating, and don't mind the conservative look of Audi.  On the other hand, like the uniqueness of Volvo, and love the seats, but would never pay extra for the safety gadgets...  Reliability is probably not day and night on these vehicles...  I wonder about an overlap, with the XC60, XC70 and the upcoming V60....

[blotter]

I wonder about an overlap, with the XC60, XC70 and the upcoming V60....

I think if you go spec to spec, they're pretty similar in price.  (but it's been a while since i looked)
comes down to if you want the wagon look or the SUV look, i think?

now the V60...  I think the major difference aside from the obvious look will be towing capacity vs the XC70 ---  but I haven't seen any stats yet on the V60

The Subaru comparo is pretty darn good though!

[sailor723]

great write up!

never, ever trust Google Maps
 

Niagara is the land of clay as you found out.   There are tons of old access roads for farmers which for some reason are shown on google maps as roads........   not so!

from the picture, looks like you guys ended up on an old hydro access road (looking at the line of poles).



Volvo would be my choice as well.  Much, much better looking.

Garmin once took me down a road like that (although drier) on PEI as "The most direct route" to Charlottetown. 

[blur911]

I just read that entire article and still have no idea what kind of engine is in either vehicle.

[blotter]

great write up!

never, ever trust Google Maps
 

Niagara is the land of clay as you found out.   There are tons of old access roads for farmers which for some reason are shown on google maps as roads........   not so!

from the picture, looks like you guys ended up on an old hydro access road (looking at the line of poles).



Volvo would be my choice as well.  Much, much better looking.

Garmin once took me down a road like that (although drier) on PEI as "The most direct route" to Charlottetown. 

same here.  But somewhere else.  Garmin told me to turn down this road, I looked and it was a dirt path not much bigger than the Matrix with a sign that said "unkept road, use at your own risk"     

Nothing beats a traditional map.  (I actually like to combine the GPS and maps on trips)

[Solstice2006]

I wonder about an overlap, with the XC60, XC70 and the upcoming V60....

I think if you go spec to spec, they're pretty similar in price.  (but it's been a while since i looked)
comes down to if you want the wagon look or the SUV look, i think?

now the V60...  I think the major difference aside from the obvious look will be towing capacity vs the XC70 ---  but I haven't seen any stats yet on the V60

The Subaru comparo is pretty darn good though!

What Subaru comparo ?