Compare the2023 Audi Q5 SportbackVS 2023 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q5 Sportback 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 BMW X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q5 Sportback and X4 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X4’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the Q5 Sportback and the X4 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.

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q5 Sportback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X4 has not been tested, yet.

The Audi Q5 Sportback’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q5 Sportback’s reliability 14 points higher than the X4.

The Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 13 more horsepower (261 vs. 248) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 Sportback gets better mileage than the X4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Q5 Sportback has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X4 (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Q5 Sportback offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The X4 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Q5 Sportback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better traction, the Q5 Sportback’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (255/45R20 vs. 245/44R20).

For better maneuverability, the Q5 Sportback’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the X4’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

The Q5 Sportback is 3.7 inches shorter than the X4, making the Q5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q5 Sportback has .3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Q5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (24.7 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Q5 Sportback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (51.9 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The Q5 Sportback’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q5 Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Insurance will cost less for the Q5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q5 Sportback will cost $400 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q5 Sportback will be $1728 to $4624 less than for the BMW X4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q5 Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q5 outsold the BMW X4 by over seven to one during the 2021 model year.