Compare the2023 Audi Q5VS 2023 BMW X1

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.

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, 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 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 96 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X1 has not been tested, yet.

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.

The Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (261 vs. 241) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 121 more horsepower (362 vs. 241) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 295) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 55 TFSI e running on electricity gets better mileage than the X1 xDrive28i (60 city/61 hwy MPGe vs. 25 city/34 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 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the X1 (18.5 vs. 14.3 gallons).

For better traction, the Q5 has larger standard tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X1 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19).

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 inches longer than on the X1 (111 inches vs. 106 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q5 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the X1.

The Q5 has .5 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X1.

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.

The Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X1’s (4400 vs. 3500 pounds).

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.

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.

The Q5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The X1’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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.

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’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The X1 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X1 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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.

On extremely cold winter days, the Q5’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The X1 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

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