Compare the2022 BMW X5 MVS 2021 Audi SQ8

The X5 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The SQ8 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X5 M has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 M has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The SQ8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 M’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The SQ8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 M and the SQ8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Audi SQ8:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 103 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SQ8 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 M for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the SQ8.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5 M’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 100 more horsepower (600 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 117 more horsepower (617 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

The X5 M’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The SQ8 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the SQ8 (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. 285/45R21).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ8’s standard 45 series tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the SQ8’s optional 40 series tires.

The X5 M offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the SQ8.

For better maneuverability, the X5 M’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (42 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

The front grille of the X5 M uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 M has .5 inches more front shoulder room and .8 inches more rear headroom than the SQ8.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ8 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ8 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 M easier. The X5 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ8’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5 M’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the SQ8’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.