Audi Q5 3.0 TFSI vs Volvo XC60 T6

The price is all about matching rival models. But for a mid-sizer for a family with two small children, there's a lot of appeal. Auto adds $2250. Features are very good for the money. Capped-price servicing costs $1638 for three years and retained value is 47 per cent.

Smarter styling and lots of features - mainly safety - make this a solid buy. Top-shelf safety gear adds $5000. Standard are 18-inch alloys, satnav, power tailgate, TFT instrument panel and leather trim. Warranty is 3 years/unlimited km with roadside assist, and servicing is annual. There's no capped-price program. An excellent 61 per cent resale after three years, as with the Audi.

The supercharger shows Audi varies engine boost to suit the market. The 3.0-litre V6 (200kW/400Nm) shares nothing with previous 3.2 (199kW/330Nm). Q5 gets a conventional eight-speed auto, replacing a seven-speed dual-clutch, and constant AWD. It claims 8.5L/100km ( 95 RON). It tows 2400kg.

Six-cylinder turbo (224kW/440Nm) claims 10.5L/100km on 95 RON fuel. It covers the 100km/h sprint in 7.3 secs. But Volvo soon runs out the six and five-cylinder engines, replacing them with four-cylinders of similar outputs The XC60 has on-demand all-wheel drive and can tow 2000kg.

Less bulbous than the Q7 and unlike the toylike Q3. It's no wonder the Q5 is Audi's bestseller. It is about the same length as the Volvo but has a bigger boot (540L/1560L) and is 70kg heavier. Sliding rear seats help adjust cargo space but seats don't fold completely flat. Power tailgate eases loading. Personal storage space in cabin isn't as good as Volvo's.

New nose and tail make the XC60 appear wider and lower. Cabin is clean and minimalist with single-dial instrument panel that can be personalised. Small dash buttons demand concentration. Rear seats fold flat and cargo blind has quick release feature. Luggage volume: 495L/1455L. Power tailgate is a boon. Impressive quality in material fit and finish, equal to the Audi.

Q5 gets eight airbags, five-star crash rating, tyre pressure monitor, driver attention detection, reverse camera, front and rear park sensors and space-saver spare. Adds similar features to the Volvo including heated mirrors, stability and traction control and the all-wheel drive feature.

Trumps the rival here. Five-stars, six airbags, City Safety auto braking (up to 50km/h), LED daytime running lights, auto high beam and cornering lights, reverse camera with front and rear park sensors and emergency brake lights. Space-saver spare. Add $5000 for top-shelf safety package.

The supercharger hits hard from idle and makes the V6 sing right through to the 6500rpm redline. Heaps of grunt so it doesn't have to be revved hard to deliver strong performance. Conventional automatic - not a dual-clutch - is almost free of lag. Similar ride features to the Volvo but has crisper turn-ins to corners. Still feels big, though.

Grunty turbo six is smooth and prefers the low and mid rev ranges - helpful, given it is quite thirsty. Slick gearbox and, though down two cogs on Audi's eight-speeder, doesn't suffer in terms of driveability. The Volvo always feels solid on the road, inspiring confidence, but through winding roads feels heavy. Comfort tends towards firm but it's well cushioned against road shocks.