Compare the2022 BMW iXVS 2022 Audi Q5

The BMW iX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The iX has standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The iX’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 Q5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the iX 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, 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.

The BMW iX weighs 1040 to 1690 pounds more than the Audi Q5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the iX 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 iX’s warranty.

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 iX xDrive50’s standard electric motors produce 255 more horsepower (516 vs. 261) and 291 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 273) than the Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The iX xDrive50’s electric motors produce 154 more horsepower (516 vs. 362) and 195 lbs.-ft. more torque (564 vs. 369) than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The iX M60’s standard electric motors produce 248 more horsepower (610 vs. 362) and 442 lbs.-ft. more torque (811 vs. 369) than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the Q5 running on electricity:

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

The iX’s EPA estimated pure electric driving range is 305 to 324 miles on a full charge (depending on wheels). The Q5 55 TFSI e only has 23 miles of electric range before it has to start its gasoline engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW iX higher (10 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (5 to 7). This means the iX produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the iX’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5:

For better traction, the iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 (275/40R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The iX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q5 45 TFSI. The iX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Q5 (118.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the iX is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q5.

For greater off-road capability the iX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q5 55 TFSI e (8.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The iX’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Q5 45 TFSI (8.8 vs. 8.2 inches).

The design of the BMW iX amounts to more than styling. The iX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .25 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q5 (.31 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the iX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The iX has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 25.8 cubic feet). The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (77.9 vs. 54 cubic feet).

The iX’s cargo area is larger than the Q5’s in almost every dimension:

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 iX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The iX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the iX has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The iX also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The iX offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW iX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q5.

The iX’s Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.