Compare the2023 BMW X1VS 2023 Audi A4 Allroad

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X1 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X1 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X1 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A4 Allroad.

The X1’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 A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X1 and the A4 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 A4 Allroad.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X1’s warranty.

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.

The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A4 Allroad’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X1 xDrive28i gets better fuel mileage than the A4 Allroad (25 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X1’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (8 out of 10) than the Audi A4 Allroad (5). This means the X1 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A4 Allroad every 15,000 miles.

The X1’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 A4 Allroad’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X1 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The A4 Allroad’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A4 Allroad (8.1 vs. 6.5 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X1 is 10.3 inches shorter than the A4 Allroad, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the A4 Allroad (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X1 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X1 has 4.7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4 Allroad.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X1’s rear seats recline. The A4 Allroad’s rear seats don’t recline.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume than the A4 Allroad with its rear seat up (25.7 vs. 24.2 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X1 uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The A4 Allroad doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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.

The X1 offers a 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 A4 Allroad doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X1’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The A4 Allroad Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.