Compare the2023 Audi Q5VS 2022 BMW X1

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The X1 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q5 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 X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q5 and X1 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q5 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 X1’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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Pre Sense Front in the Q5 as “Superior.” The X1 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Q5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X1 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q5. But it costs extra on the X1.

The Q5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Q5’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q5’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X1 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q5 and the X1 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 and rearview cameras.

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

	Q5	X1
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	284	328
Neck Injury Risk	22%	32%
Neck Stress	215 lbs.	360 lbs.
Neck Compression	44 lbs.	60 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	257/329 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	187
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	175 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	309/268 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 Audi Q5 is safer than the BMW X1:

	Q5	X1
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	143
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	154 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	486 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	193
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	219	278
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	815 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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X1 last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Reliability

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X1’s engine uses 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’s reliability 22 points higher than the X1.

Engine

The Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (261 vs. 228) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 134 more horsepower (362 vs. 228) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q5 55 TFSI e is faster than the BMW X1:

	Q5	X1
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	6.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	16.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.9 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	14.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the X1:

			MPGe
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e Electric Motor	60 city/61 hwy
X1
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The X1 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (18.5 vs. 16.1 gallons).

Transmission

The Q5 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 X1 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X1:

	Q5 45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	X1
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.8 inches

The Q5 stops much shorter than the X1:

	Q5	X1
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q5 has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (255/45R20 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The X1’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Q5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The X1’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q5 55 TFSI e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q5’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X1 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q5’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the X1 (111 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q5 is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

For greater off-road capability the Q5 55 TFSI e has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (8 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Q5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Q5 45 TFSI’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the X1 (8.2 vs. 7.2 inches).

Passenger Space

The Q5 has .5 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Q5 has a 4400 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X1. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Q5’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 X1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X1 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Q5’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the X1’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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 Q5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the X1’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X1 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. The Q5 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Q5 (except Premium) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Economic Advantages

The Q5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q5 will retain 48.77% to 50.66% of its original price after five years, while the X1 only retains 47.06% to 47.87%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q5 is less expensive to operate than the X1 because typical repairs cost much less on the Q5 than the X1, including $78 less for a water pump, $158 less for a muffler, $84 less for fuel injection, $29 less for a fuel pump, $525 less for a timing belt/chain and $703 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X1 isn't recommended.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the BMW X1 by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.