Compare the2023 BMW X6VS 2023 Audi Q5 Sportback

The BMW X6 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X6 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X6 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X6’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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X6 and the Q5 Sportback 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 BMW X6 weighs 810 to 1070 pounds more than the Audi Q5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 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 Q5 Sportback.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Q5 Sportback isn’t in the top three in its category.

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 X6’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (335 vs. 261) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X6 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 262 more horsepower (523 vs. 261) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The X6 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Sportback (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X6, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5 Sportback.

For better stopping power the X6’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5 Sportback:

For better traction, the X6 has larger standard tires than the Q5 Sportback (275/45R20 vs. 235/55R19). The X6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 Sportback (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 Sportback’s standard 55 series tires. The X6’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q5 Sportback. The X6’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X6 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X6 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X6 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Q5 Sportback.

The X6 has a standard 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 Q5 Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X6 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Q5 Sportback (117.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X6 is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q5 Sportback.

The front grille of the X6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X6 has 2.3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5 Sportback.

The X6 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat up (27.4 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The X6 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (59.6 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

The X6’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5 Sportback’s (5952 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q5 Sportback is only 4400 pounds. The X6 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

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 X6 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5 Sportback, the X6 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X6’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5 Sportback.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X6 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X6 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X6 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5 Sportback.

The X6’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Insurance will cost less for the X6 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X6 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Q5 Sportback is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X6 is less expensive to operate than the Q5 Sportback because typical repairs cost less on the X6 than the Q5 Sportback, including $94 less for a starter and $20 less for fuel injection.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q5 Sportback isn’t in the top three.