Verdict
At RM421,990, the Audi Q5 Sportback is RM3,102 dearer than the RM418,888 Volvo XC90, but it brings 268 hp and 400 Nm against 249 hp and 350 Nm. Its 515-litre boot also beats the Volvo’s 451 litres. The XC90 answers with seven seats, a much longer 2,984-mm wheelbase and air suspension at both axles, where the Audi is a five-seater with a 2,528-mm wheelbase and multi-link suspension. For Malaysian families needing the third row, the Volvo is the clear fit; the Audi suits buyers prioritising luggage volume and stronger quoted outputs.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want 268 hp, 400 Nm and a larger 515-litre boot in a five-seat SUV.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a 2,984-mm wheelbase, air suspension and five years of manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Power and torque: Audi Q5 Sportback 268 hp and 400 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- Seats: Audi Q5 Sportback 5; Volvo XC90 7.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q5 Sportback 2,528 mm; Volvo XC90 2,984 mm.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 Sportback 515 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres.
- Warranty: Audi Q5 Sportback 2 years unlimited mileage; Volvo XC90 5 years unlimited mileage.
Q5 Sportback
- 268 hp and 400 Nm, ahead of the XC90’s 249 hp and 350 Nm.
- 515-litre boot, 64 litres larger than the XC90’s.
- Head-up display and six front plus six rear parking sensors.
- Five seats versus the XC90’s seven.
- Two-year warranty versus the XC90’s five years.
- No sunroof, while the XC90 has a panoramic front tilt-and-slide unit.
XC90
- Seven seats, including a 50:50 third row.
- Air suspension front and rear.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus an eight-year/160,000-km hybrid battery warranty.
- 249 hp and 350 Nm trail the Audi’s 268 hp and 400 Nm.
- 451-litre boot is 64 litres smaller than the Audi’s.
- No head-up display or listed front and rear parking sensors, unlike the Audi.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990 | RM418,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged 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 | 268 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 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 | All 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 | 1,641 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | — |
| 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 | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | 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 | Matrix LED Projectors | 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 Memory Function, Ventilated | 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, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| 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 Sportback & XC90 for sale
Q5 Sportback vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Volvo XC90 better?
The Volvo XC90 is better for seven-seat family use, with a 2,984-mm wheelbase, air suspension and a five-year warranty. Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback for stronger 268-hp/400-Nm outputs and its larger 515-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM421,990 and the Volvo XC90 costs RM418,888. The Audi is RM3,102 more expensive.
Which has more luggage space?
The Audi Q5 Sportback has the larger quoted boot at 515 litres, compared with 451 litres for the Volvo XC90. That is a 64-litre advantage for the Audi, although the Volvo adds a third row of seats.