Compare the2023 BMW X5 MVS 2022 Audi SQ7

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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

Both the X5 M 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Audi SQ7:

	X5 M	SQ7
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	35%	44%

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, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Audi SQ7:

	X5 M	SQ7
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	72	187
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Hip Force	279 lbs.	350 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	337
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	584 lbs.	888 lbs.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 151 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SQ7 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

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 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 X5 M’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 74 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

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.

Engine

The X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 100 more horsepower (600 vs. 500) than the SQ7’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 SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

Transmission

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 SQ7 doesn’t offer launch control.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the SQ7 (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. 285/40R21).

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 SQ7’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M offers optional 22-inch rear wheels. The SQ7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The X5 M has a standard 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the SQ7.

Chassis

The X5 M is 4.6 inches shorter than the SQ7, making the X5 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 SQ7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 M has .9 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear headroom than the SQ7.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ7 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 14.8 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ7 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 71.6 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 SQ7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

The X5 M’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.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 M to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The SQ7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X5 M 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 X5 M’s 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.

Recommendations

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.

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