Compare the2022 BMW X1VS 2022 Audi Q5

The BMW X1 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 Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X1’s optional 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 Q5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X1 and the Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Audi Q5:

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

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Audi Q5:

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

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 Q5.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X1’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X1 has a 150-amp alternator. The Q5’s standard 110-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the Q5 running its gasoline engine:

The X1 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (5 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X1, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5.

The X1 stops much shorter than the Q5:

The X1’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 60 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X1 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .87 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q5 45 TFSI Prestige (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X1’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Q5 45 TFSI’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The X1’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s (37.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The BMW X1 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 900 pounds less than the Audi Q5.

The X1 is 8.8 inches shorter than the Q5, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X1 has 2.3 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Q5.

The front step up height for the X1 is 1.3 inches lower than the Q5 (17” vs. 18.3”). The X1’s rear step up height is .7 inches lower than the Q5’s (17.3” vs. 18”).

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 with its rear seat up (27.1 vs. 25.8 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (58.7 vs. 54 cubic feet).

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.

Consumer Reports rated the X1’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X1 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The X1 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X1 will cost $1020 to $3900 less than the Q5 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X1 is less expensive to operate than the Q5 because it costs $191 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the X1 than the Q5, including $16 less for front brake pads, $30 less for a starter and $6 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X1 will be $7479 to $18971 less than for the Audi Q5.

The X1 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 5 years. The Q5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.