BMW v Mercedes v Audi v Volvo: BEST premium SUV review

If you remain in the marketplace for a high-end plug-in hybrid SUV, which should you choose – a , X3, Audi Q5 or Volvo XC60? Well, Mat's got his hands on each one, and he's about to put them all head-to-head to find out which is the # 1 plug-in hybrid SUV you can get your hands on!

So let's see how they all compare. Beginning with the Volvo, it is among the oldest vehicles here – however it can still stay up to date with these more modern plug-in hybrids! Since 2017 it's only had a number of small updates made to the design and interior, but it still has a classy style, with chrome trim on the outdoors assisting it to stand out. The interior is quite minimalist, although managing most features through the touchscreen infotainment system can be a bit frustrating. It likewise has new digital dials, but they're a bit bland.

The XC60 is powered by a 2-litre turbo gas engine and an electrical motor, the T8 is the most effective vehicle in this line-up, being able to produce 455hp. An entry-level XC60 will set you back ₤ 47,650.

Next up we have the Audi Q5. It might come with exceptionally apparent phony exhaust pipes, but it's still one of the best-looking vehicles here. Much like the Volvo it features chrome trim on the outdoors, and all-in-all it looks quite clever. The interior is well developed as well, with soft-touch materials discovered throughout the cabin. Thankfully it features physical buttons for the environment control, and the digital dials are most likely the best in this whole line-up.

The Audi Q5 is equipped with a 2-litre turbo petrol engine & an electrical motor, and this 50 TFSI e edition can produce 299hp. The Audi Q5 range is the most inexpensive, too, with it can be found in at a price of ₤ 46,785.

Next up it's the . In advance, it features a pretty substantial grille (which will come as no surprise to our fanboys & girls), however we believe it makes it's all a bit much. After all, it's just a family-friendly SUV, so it could perhaps make with being softened a bit. Luckily the quality of the cabin more than offsets this, with premium materials found throughout, and a pretty modern infotainment screen which can be managed with a dial on the centre console.

The X3 is powered by a 2-litre turbo gas and an electric motor, but it's the least effective hybrid here, with the xDrive 30e just able to produce 292hp. The variety starts at ₤ 47,295.

Then lastly we have the newest car in this line-up, the . Much like the Audi it has very prominent fake exhausts, however we still think it is among the best-looking cars here. It has a great side profile, and the elements of chrome trim and the running boards along the side enhance the appearance. It's a positive story on the within, too, with a large infotainment screen in the centre of the dash and a big digital dial display. You'll discover soft-touch materials throughout the cabin also.

It's powered by a (you thought it …) 2-litre turbo petrol with an electric motor, and these combine to produce 320hp. It'll come as no surprise that the GLC is likewise the most costly automobile here, being the latest, with the range starting from ₤ 52,880.

But which do you think is the best – will the all-new GLC come out on top? Or does the classic XC60 stand a chance? You'll require to stick with Mat and see on your own!

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:23 Cost
01:15 Design
03:45 Interior
07:17 Back Seats
11:30 Boot
13:47 Power
14:43 0-60mph
16:34 Volvo XC60 Driving
18:31 Audi Q5 Driving
21:13 Driving
23:59 Mercedes GLC Driving
27:04 Decision

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Comments

61 responses to “BMW v Mercedes v Audi v Volvo: BEST premium SUV review”

  1. Premium Football Highlights Avatar
    Premium Football Highlights

    You should probably do the Dyno test on them ❤

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      Do dyno test also on some of the exotics and sport bikes.

  2. Benjamin Heinig Avatar
    Benjamin Heinig

    would love to see this test with the new 2023/4 X3!

    1. Jo La Avatar
      Jo La

      The model in this test is the newest X3 currently available. The next X3 will likely come end of 24 oder beginning of 25.

    2. Benjamin Heinig Avatar
      Benjamin Heinig

      @Jo La thought it would come early 2023! Interesting that BMW seems to do something similar to Mercedes – start innovating bottom-up!

    3. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @Jo La the X3 2nd gen possibly gonna launch in April 2025.

    4. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @Benjamin Heinig perhaps we may just wait and see.

    5. moonsapling Avatar
      moonsapling

      ​@Jo La the ICE x3 should come in 2024, however theres a global fully-electric version that will be built on new dedicated ev platform that should debut in 2025. Interesting to see how it will turn out.

  3. Max BrainBox Avatar
    Max BrainBox

    For the Q5, it aren’t exhausts but HDMI ports!

    1. dk Avatar
      dk

      Yes 😍

    2. Big duphus AJ Avatar
      Big duphus AJ

      Cheap ones at that probably snap off first B-road you’re on. Abysmal reliability on all of these heaps even the Volvo is unreliable now.

    3. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @Big duphus AJ the reliability is also worse than Subaru 360.

    4. AWildMal Avatar
      AWildMal

      @Big duphus AJ Huh? Volvos are really reliable

    5. Mohammad Aziz Avatar
      Mohammad Aziz

      😂

  4. Chakib Tsouli Avatar
    Chakib Tsouli

    The collision detection at least in my XC40 Recharge only triggers when you’re going head on against an obstacle in front of you and I believe it takes into account your steering angle, that’s why it didn’t trigger. It knew at that angle you wouldn’t collide with the truck otherwise it’ll trigger at every corner.

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      XC40 and Mercedes Q5 for me are the most superior SUVs.

    2. GBMAIN Avatar
      GBMAIN

      None of these are the best. The Tesla Model Y is actually the best. Too bad y’all didn’t include it since you are clearly paid buy these brands to include their cars. Tesla doesn’t pay for this garbage advertising. The sales #’s speak for themselves. Model Y was the best selling car in the entire world in Q1 of 2023.

    3. Ray Han Avatar
      Ray Han

      @Purwanti Allan Q5 isnt mercedes tho, it’s audi

    4. Ray Han Avatar
      Ray Han

      @GBMAIN The meatriding is crazy

    5. Paul Avatar
      Paul

      @GBMAIN Yup all these brands are just Androids trying to be iPhone 😂but they’ll never come close except maybe Toyota🤣

  5. Long Earth Trading Company Avatar
    Long Earth Trading Company

    The Volvo does have that problem with the back doors being part of the wheel housing which unfortunately has meant for a lot of owners that it doesn’t keep tight enough and let in dirt and dust into the back seat. A shame really. The car is absolutely perfect for me in all aspects.

    1. Knallen Avatar
      Knallen

      We had that issue when we got the car from the showroom floor. My guess is that it stood there for some time and the seals got a bit dry. I put some silicone spray on them and it’s not had the issue since!

    2. Long Earth Trading Company Avatar
      Long Earth Trading Company

      @Knallen good for you! I’m just a bit suspicious of that body feature on cars. I don’t think it looks good, and it has the obvious flaw of making the door sensitive to wear and potentially causing rust issues.

    3. Ant Gwilliam Avatar
      Ant Gwilliam

      I have an xc60 and there is an official Volvo wheel arch liner thing that you can add if you really want. I have as I live in a muddy area and no mud gets through any more. Not an expensive part either to buy from Volvo so yes it can be an issue, but also an easy and cheap solution exists 👍🏻

  6. aykut kose Avatar
    aykut kose

    Just bought an Q5 55tfsi E. Added horsepower really makes the car come alive. Unfortunately choose the adaptive air suspension and it is back at the dealer again

    1. Mini Giant Avatar
      Mini Giant

      i love dealerships!

    2. Scotty UK Avatar
      Scotty UK

      Can’t get them new in the UK currently 😢

    3. Spacenes Riperino Avatar
      Spacenes Riperino

      almanya ya da hollanda gurbetçisin değil mi

    4. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @Scotty UK not even possible in Ireland either.

    5. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @Mini Giant realistically getting them may took a few hundreds of dollars.

  7. John Agustin Scuderia Avatar
    John Agustin Scuderia

    I miss these kinds of Comparo Test from Carwow! Soild Video as always!

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      These are as solid as ever.

  8. Mark Barron Avatar
    Mark Barron

    Would’ve liked to have seen the Land Rover Discovery Sport included in the group test

    1. Jacobs fun time! Avatar
      Jacobs fun time!

      I’ve got a disco sport, wouldn’t make it without breaking down

  9. John Avatar
    John

    Funny you mention the lack of a driver mode button in the XC60, years previous to 2021 (I think that’s the correct year) had this as a roller button

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      XC60 imo has 23 bhp more than XC40. The XC40 only had 218bhp.

    2. John Avatar
      John

      @Purwanti Allan ok

    3. Ray Han Avatar
      Ray Han

      @Purwanti Allan XC60 has more than 400bhp. so it’s more than 23 from XC40

  10. Jason K Avatar
    Jason K

    I’d take the Volvo, I like it’s relatively understated looks and to me the interior feels much more restful and pleasant than the others. Though I’d prefer a V60 to the XC.

    1. PrInzzx. Avatar
      PrInzzx.

      i’d take the glc, but in black just because its more comfortable and sportier

    2. Hampus Avatar
      Hampus

      We had a v60 t6. Good car. we have a polestar now

    3. M Johns Avatar
      M Johns

      Just changed to a XC60 T8 Polestar Eng. Had a V60 T5 polestar. Got to say the V60 was a stunning car … the tech is another level if fully trimmed. Very quick and ace handling. All in a luxury setting. Not sure why I changed … but the T8 PE is stunning.

    4. Kabir Kharadi Avatar
      Kabir Kharadi

      didn’t ask

    5. Ben Avatar
      Ben

      Boring

  11. Forza Test Drive Avatar
    Forza Test Drive

    Good video! My mum used to have a face lifted Jaguar F pace a year ago and I feel like it would have competed really well against these

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      Jaguar F and E Types are still more underrated than these SUVs.

    2. brian nyazika Avatar
      brian nyazika

      Jaguars are nice and fun but not luxuries

    3. Janoy Cresnova Avatar
      Janoy Cresnova

      0 reliability and overpriced

    4. Forza Test Drive Avatar
      Forza Test Drive

      @Janoy Cresnova she had 0 problems and it was priced similarly to these competitors

    5. Forza Test Drive Avatar
      Forza Test Drive

      @brian nyazika The Jaguar F pace is very comparable to the cars that are shown. These aren’t proper luxury cars, they are like the S class and bmw X5, X7 etc. Therefore the Jaguar is able to compete as it focuses on being spacious and nice to drive than a xc60 while having a luxurious cabin

  12. Sanchay Narain Avatar
    Sanchay Narain

    X3 G01 all day everyday, it has the best interior right now because the next gen X3 will be all screen and no buttons. The current X3 has a good mix of buttons and the touchscreen.

    Also the performance however less power/torque it has will always be fun to drive! Not to forget the B58 40i 6cyl available in the X3, which the poor Merc doesn’t get any longer !

    Can’t believe the GLC PHEV is almost 2.3 tons !!

  13. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    What a in-depth review! No one else compares to Matt for the details.

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      Those details are as insane as ever.

  14. Gaming Norwegian Avatar
    Gaming Norwegian

    Saying this as a PHEV owner, the Mercedes is seriously impressive purely because of its EV range. 130km of electric range (probably 110km-ish in the real world) is amazing for a PHEV.

  15. SM356 Avatar
    SM356

    Stuck between the GlC and Q5 they are both such great cars I’d tie them for first place

  16. Chartreux Avatar
    Chartreux

    As an Audi Owner i’d probably go with the Audi simply because of 10+ Years of Great Experience both regarding Reliability and Service.
    Also did you Guys film that near a Swamp? So many Insects, not that i mind! Was fun to see if Matt will be bothered by them or not haha
    Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

  17. Kyron Smarcaro Avatar
    Kyron Smarcaro

    Volvo it is for me. Even though it was released some 6 years ago, it still is the best looking out of the bunch. Overall, an excellent package.

    1. Colors 66 Avatar
      Colors 66

      The Volvo is actually the most boring looking! Sorry Bro.

  18. steve shepherd Avatar
    steve shepherd

    I’ve had the BMW X3 M40D for the last 3 years, should have changed it this year but I’ve kept it. 0 to 60 in 4.8 s, 42mpg on a long run, decent luggage space and I still like it as much as the day i got it👌

  19. Daniel Condurachi Avatar
    Daniel Condurachi

    I agree entirely with you… I would choose the cars in the same order. I am quite happy with my current plug-in hybrid. But for sure in a few years I’ll change it with one of those from the 2nd hand market, probably the Mercedes GLC300e

  20. TrainWOW Avatar
    TrainWOW

    Really enjoyed watching a good old skool Carwow video, as much I enjoy the drag races etc. I started watching the channel due to videos like this one.

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