Anyone chose XC90 over Q7 and regret it now?

[Duri13]

I am trying to decide whether to buy XC90 or Q7.
It will be a family car (3 small kids but only one still needing a child seat). I always thought I want a Volvo XC90 (currently driving XC60, before it was Saab) but then I did a test drive on Q7 and it was quite impressive. So since then I am browsing internet, trying to read people’s experience….both cars have their issues (weird noises everywhere in Q7, 3.0TDI engine not very reliable….)(XC90 sensus issues, road noise…). Audi forum is also full of users claiming they tested both and happily chose Q7 (of course, it is Audi forum). But there must be also many people with an opposite experience, choosing XC90 over Q7.
Now the question is - did those of you who went path regret your choice now? Would you still buy XC90?

Q7 negatives and positives to me:
+ much better diesel engine
+ overall driving experience is better
+ virtual cockpit with Google Earth maps is also very impressive
+ slightly wider in the 2nd row
- cruise control hidden behind the steering wheel is annoying and when testing I was constantly doing something wrong (hitting indicators instead, etc.)
- less space in the 3rd row
- same equipped as XC90 costs about 5000EUR more but maybe I could live without BOSE audio, HUD, auxiliary heater or matrix LED
- I am not a big fan of Audi (or the whole VW group). What is worse, I occasionally drive to central/eastern Europe and there is still a good chance I will get this car stolen there

XC90 negatives and positives to me:
+ it is Volvo and I like Volvos
+ design is much nicer (interior and exterior)
+ bigger boot space
+ safety features (active + passive are better I think)
+ not attractive car to be stolen
- less powerful engine (D5 vs 3.0TDI)
- worse suspension
- are there still issues with Sensus? (MY 2019)
- local Volvo dealer is lousy (not much competition in a small country like Luxembourg). I could write a book about my XC60 and all the problems I had with it and how technicians were absolutely useless…so I would not mind trying something else, which is maybe Audi this time (although I can run into similar lousy technicians even there).
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[Crockers]

Three children. Which is the one you’d prefer to have an accident in? Once answered that’s the one you’ll buy.

[Typolee]

I'd be looking at a Q7 next time round. I've got 2 kids and the Volvo is very roomy and safe however I have currently got a bad clunk when turning at the moment, squealing brakes and a scraping sound at the front of the car when turning also. I would say that the Audi is quite possibly better built however I do prefer the XC90 to look at but at the end of the day quality is where its at and I'm not convinced Volvo is up there. Oh and I read the other day Volvo came last in a reliability survey!!

However I have had zero problems with the Sensus.

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by Typolee

Oh and I read the other day Volvo came last in a reliability survey!!

If the US Consumer Report is your bible for car purchase- then you should go for a Toyota Camry.

Here's a J.D. Power's rating for 2018 (UK). And JDP has a much wider sample of customer data (as oppose to retired american CR readers..) Audi is exactly where it's been for a number of years now- at the very bottom..

[Typolee]

Get your point but even so the JD survey isn't exactly comforting

[Haldex]

Agree. But my point when it comes to reliability, in comparison to Asian brands- all European carmakers are average. at best. Buying an Audi because it's "more reliable" may have been a valid argument in the 90s..

[Whippy]

I'd go Audi, interior is so much nicer, that virtual cockpit is a showstopper on its own, plus the 3.0l engine is a peach.

[nu11eaf]

When I bought my new spa XC90, I had owned 3 other new MK 1 XC90's and fancied a change and the only other car that fitted my needs and desires and with the same practicality was the Q7, same + points as you, smooth 3ltr engine better ride and much quieter, nearly the same size inside, but far more expensive for the same spec.
If the Q7 was a more reasonable price I would have bought one. Not that the new XC90 is exactly a bargain after paying £32k for the old models but the volvo is still the best all rounder for me at the price. Just a shame about the road noise, the engine and the air suspension not being as good as the Q7.
I dont think you can buy the perfect car there is always a compromise.

[yeoman]

True story this....
A friend of mine bought a Q7 and so hated the front of the car, that she would always park the car in such a way she would not see the front of it before entering the car in the morning.

[nu11eaf]

My ex was the same with her car so she altered it, unfortunately she also altered a few other peoples in the process too.