Compare the2023 BMW X5 xDrive45eVS 2023 Audi Q8

The BMW X5 xDrive45e 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 Q8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 xDrive45e offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 xDrive45e’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 Q8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 xDrive45e and the Q8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 X5 xDrive45e weighs 642 pounds more than the Audi Q8. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 BMW X5 xDrive45e is safer than the Audi Q8:

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 xDrive45e its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 124 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q8 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 xDrive45e 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 Q8.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5 xDrive45e’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 X5 xDrive45e’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 54 more horsepower (389 vs. 335) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (443 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive45e running on electricity gets better mileage than the Q8 (47 city/54 hwy MPGe vs. 18 city/23 hwy).

The X5 xDrive45e can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The Q8 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X5 xDrive45e higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q8 (5). This means the X5 xDrive45e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q8 every 15,000 miles.

The X5 xDrive45e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Q8 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X5 xDrive45e’s optional 315/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 40 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X5 xDrive45e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the X5 xDrive45e uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q8, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 xDrive45e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X5 xDrive45e’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 Q8 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the X5 xDrive45e’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the Q8’s (41.3 feet vs. 43.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the X5 xDrive45e has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q8 (8.3 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the X5 xDrive45e to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the BMW X5 xDrive45e amounts to more than styling. The X5 xDrive45e has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q8 (.39). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X5 xDrive45e get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X5 xDrive45e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 xDrive45e offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Q8 can only carry 5.

The X5 xDrive45e has 3.7 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear headroom than the Q8.

The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q8 with its rear seat up (33.1 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The X5 xDrive45e has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 with its rear seat folded (71.2 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 xDrive45e easier. The X5 xDrive45e’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the Q8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 xDrive45e’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q8 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5 xDrive45e’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Q8’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 xDrive45e to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 X5 xDrive45e’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Q8’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 xDrive45e has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q8 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 xDrive45e also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Insurance will cost less for the X5 xDrive45e owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X5 xDrive45e will cost $685 to $2750 less than the Q8 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X5 xDrive45e will be $8878 to $18159 less than for the Audi Q8.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by almost four to one during the 2021 model year.