We drove a $65,000 Audi Q7 and a $60,000 Volvo XC90 to see which is a better luxury SUV - here's the verdict

Aesthetically, the XC90 is simply stunning. It exudes effortless style and elegance. Volvo's "Thor's Hammer" headlights is a stand out design feature.

The XC90's rear end is punctuated by the dual exhausts and vertical taillights —a feature carried from the first generation model.

Inside, the Volvo continues to impress. The XC90 pushes the boundaries of Swedish luxury. The cabin feels plush and is beautifully appointed. And yet it feels warm and approachable. It's a space meant to be lived in.

The XC90's cabin is adorned with beautiful details like the machine metal starter switch and stitched leather.

The quality of the materials from the leather upholstery to the wood accents is as good as anything the Brits and the Germans can do.

And then there's the driver's "cockpit."

Immediately in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster.

Since it's a Volvo, the XC90 is jam-packed with safety tech including Volvo On-Call emergency assistance; a head-up display; City Safety tech with collision mitigation and pedestrian/cyclist detection; and Run-Off-Road mitigation.

There's also adaptive cruise control, surround view cameras, and headlights that bend around corners.

The center stack is dominated by a nine-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment display.

Unfortunately, the overall infotainment experience wasn't great.

The new generation Volvo infotainment system is packed with content and capabilities. The system will do everything from track your driving habits to making your stereo mimic the acoustics of the Gothenburg Concert Hall. But, the screen feels cluttered and the user interface is far from intuitive. Even after experiencing the system in several new Volvos, we still spend way too much time hunting around for the function we need.

On the bright side, the screen quality is top notch and the graphics are crisply rendered. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system is also one of the best in the world.

The XC90 is also a capable people and cargo hauler. The XC90 can seat up seven passengers and boasts up to 85.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded.

Under the hood of all XC90s is Volvo's Drive-E four-cylinder engine.

The Drive-E is Volvo's new generation do-it-all engine. Our T6 test car is powered by a 2.0 liter, 316 horsepower version of the four-cylinder powerplants that's turbocharged and supercharged. The base T5 is powered by a 250 hp version of the engine that is only turbocharged.

The top-of-the-line T8 hybrid adds electric motors and a battery pack to the equation. In total, the T8 produces 400 hp with a virtual all-wheel-drive system that uses international combustion to power the front axle and electric motors to power the rear.

So, what is it like to drive?

The Volvo XC90 is a capable performer on the road. According to Volvo, our T6 can do 60 mph in a stout 6.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph. The T8 hybrid is even quicker with a 0-60 mph time of just 5.3 seconds.

However, the XC90 is far from a performance machine. Everything about its driving dynamics screams solid, but not spectacular. The twin-charged engine is more than capable of hustling this 4,800 pound SUV around but lacks the grunt of a larger engine. I guess this is a case where there's no replacement for displacement.

The XC90's offers a comfortable and compliant ride while the steering is quick but numb and uncommunicative.

Next up is the Audi Q7.

The Audi Q7 starts at $49,900 for the base four-cylinder Premium trim level. Since all-wheel-drive is standard on the Q7, its pricing is on par with the base all-wheel-drive XC90 which starts at $49,100.

Our top-of-the-line V6 Prestige trim test car starts at $65,400.

Aesthetically, the Audi Q7 is handsome and understated. However, it lacks the elegance of the XC90.

But inside is where the Audi Q7 really comes to life. Even though Audi is the master of minimalist interior design, there's actually a lot going on inside the Q7. Just look at the air vents that run the entire length of the dash and the metallic accents around all of the edges.

In spite of the stylish looks, the Q7 boasts near faultless ergonomics. Almost every button and switch is where it should be. Our only gripe with respect to cabin ergonomics is the location of the adaptive cruise control stalk which can be found on the lower lefthand side of the steering column.

Even though the adaptive cruise control works great, the location of the controls forced us to take our eyes off the road when adjusting the system.

Like the XC90, the Audi is equipped with a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Except, here, it's part of Audi's award-winning virtual cockpit.

Here's a shot of Audi's virtual cockpit in action in the little brother SQ5.

There's also an 8.3-inch TFT infotainment display that can retract into the dash.

Instead of using a touchscreen, Audi uses a rotary dial controller and a touchpad. It's a rather elegant and effective input system. We usually aren't huge fans of touchpads, but it works relatively well here.

Audi's MMI infotainment system is responsive, intuitively organized, and packed with content. There really isn't anything wrong with it.

The Audi Q7 is loaded with a comprehensive suite of tech goodies befitting a luxury SUV of its caliber.

The Q7 is available with adaptive cruise control; a heads-up display; lane keep assist; night vision; collision mitigation; parking assist; and 558-watt, 19-speak Bose sound system.

There's available seating for seven in the Audi's moonlighting-drenched cabin. But the two passengers in the third row will have to be of compact size. Overall, the cabin is best described as stylish yet business-like.

Open up the reach hatch and you'll find 71.6 cubic feet of cargo room which is significantly less than the XC90.

The base Q7 is powered by a VW-Group 2.0 liter, 252 horsepower, turbocharged, inline-four cylinder that's shared with a host of models including the Audi A4, Q5, and the Porsche Macan. Our top-spec test car was powered by a 3.0 liter, 333 horsepower, supercharged, V6. Both engines are hooked up to an eight-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel-drive.

Our driving impressions.

The Audi Q7 is one of the best driving large crossovers on sale today. According to Audi, the V6 Q7 can do 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph. The turbo four can do the run to 60 in a respectable 7.1 seconds.

We came away impressed with the Q7's poise and performance. With the Audi Drive Select toggle set to Dynamic mode, the Q7 can legitimately be called sporty. Engine power is easily accessible and acceleration feels brisk. It certainly feels a lot lighter than its 4,916-pound curb weight would indicate. The steering, although a bit on the numb side, proved to be communicative enough to make spirited driving fun. While the chassis felt really well balanced for a big SUV.

Our verdict.

And the winner is... The Audi Q7.

We were impressed by the comfortable ride, confident steering, strong engine performance, near-faultless ergonomics, beautifully crafted interior, and the best infotainment system in the business.

Everything about the Q7 just feels solid and composed — a feeling you want in an SUV.

This isn't to take away from the magnificence of the Volvo XC90. Its stunning sheet metal certainly beats out Q7 in the looks department. While its larger dimensions make for a more capable cargo hauler.

However, Audi's superior driving dynamics and infotainment system allowed the Q7 to edge out the XC90.

The Audi Q7 really is the luxury SUV perfected. There really is very little wrong with it.

Honestly, I'd spent my own money on the Audi Q7. It's that good.