00:00you're looking for the safest possible car for your family you've probably been told that both
00:14of these luxury suvs are top-tier choices but what if i told you that in the most critical test of
00:20all one of them didn't just perform well it redefined the standard today we're going beyond
00:26the brochures and the marketing hype we're diving deep into the actual crash test data for the 2016
00:33volvo xc90 and the 2017 audi q7 we're talking about survival space occupant injury scores and hidden
00:42safety features that made all the difference so which of these two giants actually deserves the
00:48title of the ultimate family protector the answer might just save a life so let's meet our contenders
00:55on one side we have the 2016 volvo xc90 this wasn't just the new car it was the flag bearer
01:03for an entirely new volvo it marked the beginning of their global renaissance built on a new platform
01:09and screaming one thing above all else swedish safety and minimalist luxury and on the other side
01:16the 2017 audi q7 this was the second generation of audi's flagship family hauler and it was a master
01:24class in german engineering shedding weight and packing the latest tech from the audi a4 and q5
01:30its mission was to blend premium comfort with unshakable solidity this comparison is crucial
01:36because when you're spending fifty thousand dollars sixty thousand dollars or more on a used family suv
01:42safe isn't good enough you want the safest you want the one that not only has the badge but has the proven
01:49real world results to back it up both of these vehicles dominated safety awards in their time
01:55but they took two very different roads to get there in this video we're going to strip away the marketing
02:01and look at the cold hard facts we'll analyze their crash test performances side by side but to understand
02:08why one came out on top we first need to see what they're like to live with we're going to dive into
02:14their stunningly different interiors their tech and how they drive because all of that plays into the overall
02:20safety story stick around because by the end of this you'll know exactly which of these luxury giants is the
02:26smarter safer choice for your family let's start with the head turner the 2016 volvo xc90
02:34when this thing launched it was a design earthquake that thor's hammer led headlight signature
02:40it instantly made every other suv on the block look dated it's a master class in minimalist
02:47scandinavian strength clean lines no unnecessary creases just elegant and commanding presence but
02:54step inside and that's where the magic really happens the cabin is a sanctuary you get this stunning
03:01minimalist dashboard dominated by a portrait style touchscreen it's like a giant ipad built right
03:08into the center console this system controls everything from the climate control to the
03:13navigation now it can feel a bit laggy compared to modern systems and it's a fingerprint magnet but
03:20when you're parked the clean open pore wood the crystal gear lever from orifers it feels more like
03:26a luxury lounge than a car now let's talk about the 2017 audi q7 if the volvo is a minimalist
03:33sculpture the audi is a precision engineered tool its design is all about sharp creases a massive
03:40single frame grill and razor sharp led lighting it's less about making a statement and more about
03:46projecting undeniable teutonic sophistication slide into the driver's seat and you're greeted by audi's
03:54virtual cockpit instead of analog dials you have a massive high resolution screen right behind the
04:00steering wheel it can show your navigation map in full screen glory it's a game changer for long
04:06trips the build quality is absolutely rock solid every button clicks with satisfying precision but
04:14i'll be honest while it feels incredibly well built the design is more conservative more businesslike than
04:20the volvo's spa-like retreat so how do they drive the volvo especially in t6 trim has a 2.0 liter
04:28supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine it sounds complicated because it is but it delivers a
04:35surprising 316 horsepower the power is smooth but there's a hint of a coarseness when you really push
04:42it that reminds you it's a four-cylinder working hard the ride is superb plush and comfortable perfectly
04:48isolating you from bad roads it's designed to be serene the audi q7 takes a different approach
04:55our test car has the 3.0 liter supercharged v6 with 333 horsepower it's buttery smooth effortlessly
05:04powerful and has a more refined growl under acceleration but the q7's biggest party trick
05:11is its optional air suspension it glides over imperfections with an almost magical quality
05:16and when you throw it into a corner it stays incredibly flat and composed it's the better
05:22driver's car without a doubt both of these suvs are packed with standard safety tech blind spot
05:29monitoring rear cross traffic alert and a suite of airbags but here's where we set the stage for
05:35what's coming next we've seen the style and the specs but the real question is when the rubber meets the
05:42road in the worst possible scenario which one of these engineering philosophies swedish serenity or
05:48german grit actually provides a safer cocoon for your family the answer revealed by the crash test
05:54data is not as straightforward as you might think and it leads directly into the most critical part
06:00of our comparison this is it the moment of truth the small overlap test where just the driver's side
06:08corner of the vehicle slams into a barrier at 40 miles per hour it's the ultimate test of a vehicle's
06:14safety skeleton and the results here are absolutely definitive watch the volvo xc90 the passenger cabin
06:21remains a fortress the a-pillar barely deforms the side curtain airbags deployed perfectly and the crash
06:29dummies readings show an incredibly low risk of serious injury the xc90 doesn't just pass it aces the test
06:36earning a top safety pick plus rating from the ihs it's a breathtaking display of engineering purpose
06:43now look at the audi q7 it's a strong performer but watch the footwell area there's significantly more
06:51intrusion the door frame is pushed inward farther than in the volvo the dummy's readings while still
06:58in a good range show a higher likelihood of leg and foot injuries because of this the 2017 q7 missed
07:06the highest plus award it's safe but it's not the safest this is the turning point the q7
07:13has the smoother engine and the more high-tech feel but the volvo was built from the ground up with
07:18survival as its primary goal in the split second that matters most the xc90 scandinavian safety cage
07:25proves to be in a league of its own so the data doesn't lie but does this single brutal test mean you
07:32should completely rule out the audi or does the volvo's triumph come with some real world compromises
07:38you need to know about before you write that check the final verdict is next and it might just split
07:44these two giants wider than you ever imagined so after all that what's the final verdict the winner
07:51for the title of ultimate family safety champion is without a doubt the 2016 volvo xc90 its flawless
07:59crash test performance is a testament to a company that puts safety above all else if your number one
08:05priority is the absolute best protection for your loved ones the data makes the choice clear but this
08:11doesn't mean the 2017 audi q7 is a loser think of it this way choose the volvo for its soul its
08:18unwavering commitment to safety and its serene minimalist interior choose the audi for its body its smoother
08:25powertrain more engaging drive and its impeccable tech in today's used car market both represent
08:32incredible value the volvo proves that safety innovation from nearly a decade ago is still
08:38relevant and dominant it set a benchmark that forced the entire industry to step up its game
08:43the audi reminds us that a luxury suv can still be a fantastic driver's car without major safety
08:50compromises your choice comes down to a single question are you buying a mobile safety system that
08:56also drives or a brilliant luxury car that also protects let us know your answer in the comments
09:02below would you take the volvo's safety crown or is the audi's all-round performance more your style
09:08if this deep dive helped you make sure to hit that like button and subscribe for more no-nonsense car
09:14comparisons we're putting everything to the test so you can buy with confidence thanks for watching
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