Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2022 Audi SQ7

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Audi SQ7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The BMW X7 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X7’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 SQ7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X7 and the SQ7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 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 SQ7.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X7’s warranty.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The SQ7’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 first among large premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The SQ7 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 20th in initial quality. With 74 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 X7 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 23 more horsepower (523 vs. 500) than the SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 112 more horsepower (612 vs. 500) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 568) than the SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

The X7’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 SQ7 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X7 stops shorter than the SQ7:

For better traction and acceleration, the X7 has larger standard rear tires than the SQ7 (315/35R22 vs. 285/40R21). The Alpina XB7’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the SQ7 (325/30R23 vs. 285/40R21).

The Alpina XB7’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 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 SQ7’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Alpina XB7 offers optional 23-inch wheels. The SQ7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the SQ7; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the SQ7 (122.2 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X7 is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ7.

The front grille of the X7 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X7 has 2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more third row headroom and 4.1 inches more third row legroom than the SQ7.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ7.

The X7’s cargo area is larger than the SQ7’s in almost every dimension:

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The SQ7 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ7’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 X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Audi doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the SQ7.

The X7 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the SQ7.

The X7’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ7 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.