Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Audi Q7

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

Safety

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The BMW X5 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 Q7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X5 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 Q7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5’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 Q7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Audi Q7:

	X5	Q7
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	35%	44%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Q7:

	X5	Q7
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	114	225
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	26 cm	30 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	4%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.41/.52	.57/.7

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, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Audi Q7:

	X5	Q7
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	72	187
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Hip Force	279 lbs.	350 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	48	337
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	584 lbs.	888 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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q7 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 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 Q7.

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’s warranty.

Reliability

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 X5’s reliability 13 points higher than the Q7.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Q7 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.

Engine

The X5 40i’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 Q7 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 188 more horsepower (523 vs. 335) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the Q7 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Q7 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid:

	X5	Q7
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3 sec	4.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	97 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the Q7:

			MPG
X5
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
Q7
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/25 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	18 city/22 hwy

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Audi only offers a regenerative brake system on the Q7 55 TFSI.

Transmission

The X5’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 Q7 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q7:

	X5 M Sport	Q7
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	14.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13.8 inches

The X5 stops shorter than the Q7:

	X5	Q7
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	133 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the Q7 (265/50R19 vs. 255/55R19).

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q7’s standard 55 series tires. The X5’s optional 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the Q7 Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

The X5 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Q7; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the Q7 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 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 Q7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i 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 Q7.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Q7 Prestige pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q7 Prestige (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 26.5 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q7 (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The X5 is 5 inches shorter than the Q7, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 has .8 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more front shoulder room than the Q7.

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q7 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 14.8 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q7 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 69.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the Q7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q7 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Q7’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Towing

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q7’s (5952 vs. 4400 pounds).

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Model Availability

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the Q7 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X5 is less expensive to operate than the Q7 because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the X5 than the Q7, including $346 less for a starter, $234 less for fuel injection and $161 less for front struts.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X5 and the Audi Q7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its August 2019 issue and they ranked the BMW X5 xDrive40i higher than the Audi Q7 Prestige.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.

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