Compare the2023 BMW X3 MVS 2022 Audi SQ8

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

Safety

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The X3 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 X3 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.

The X3 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 X3 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Audi SQ8:

	X3 M	SQ8
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	296
Neck Injury Risk	21%	30%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	235 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	238
Neck Compression	72 lbs.	117 lbs.

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 X3 M is safer than the Audi SQ8:

	X3 M	SQ8
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	141
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
HIC	281	282
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	49 G’s

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 X3 M its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SQ8 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 X3 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 X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (503 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

Transmission

The X3 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.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the X3 M’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (41.4 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

Chassis

The BMW X3 M may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Audi SQ8.

The X3 M is 10.6 inches shorter than the SQ8, making the X3 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the X3 M is 1 inches lower than the SQ8 (18.5” vs. 19.5”). The X3 M’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the SQ8’s (18.5” vs. 19.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The X3 M has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ8 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 M easier. The X3 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

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 X3 M’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the SQ8’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

The X3 M’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X3 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X3 M will cost $5190 to $5515 less than the SQ8 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X3 M will be $21645 to $26625 less than for the Audi SQ8.

Recommendations

The BMW X3 outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.