Volkswagen Touareg vs Volvo XC90

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo XC90 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo XC90 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volvo XC90 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Volkswagen Touareg uses a Diesel producing 170kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8 seconds.

The Volvo XC90 responds with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5 making 183kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Volvo XC90 has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo XC90 is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Volkswagen Touareg measures 4,889mm long on a 2,894mm wheelbase, 64mm shorter than the Volvo XC90 at 4,953mm (2,984mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo XC90 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 301L in the Volvo XC90, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 509L advantage. The Volvo XC90 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,400kg. That 1,100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); both turn in a 12.0 m circle, kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volkswagen Touareg costs about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km) and fuel for the Volvo XC90 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $143 a year less for the Volkswagen Touareg.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen Touareg) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo XC90). Capped-price servicing: no data (Volkswagen Touareg), 5 years (Volvo XC90).

Where each one leads

The Volkswagen Touareg: the lower starting price ($86,790 against $97,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 301L), the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,400kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,309).

The Volvo XC90: more power (183kW against 170kW).

The Verdict

Volkswagen Touareg scores higher, 68 vs 67

The Volkswagen Touareg scores 68 to the Volvo XC90's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 17 points), technology (Volvo XC90 ahead by 15 points), performance (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volkswagen Touareg costs about $143 less (7.6 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, 301L in the Volvo XC90.

Common questions