Compare the2023 Audi RS Q8VS 2023 BMW X5 M

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS Q8 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X5 M doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS Q8 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 X5 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RS Q8 and X5 M have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS Q8 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 X5 M’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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the RS Q8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The X5 M doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the RS Q8 and the X5 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi RS Q8 is safer than the BMW X5 M:

	RS Q8	X5 M
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	34%
Neck Stress	235 lbs.	308 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	112 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	82/59 lbs.	636/584 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	238	342
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	35%
Neck Stress	120 lbs.	220 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	47/47 lbs.	527/418 lbs.

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

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 Audi RS Q8 is safer than the BMW X5 M:

	RS Q8	X5 M
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	72
Abdominal Force	128 lbs.	130 lbs.
Hip Force	260 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	282	308
Hip Force	593 lbs.	796 lbs.

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

Engine

The RS Q8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 553) than the X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8. The RS Q8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 553) than the X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RS Q8 gets better mileage than the X5 M:

			MPG
RS Q8
	AWD	4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid	13 city/20 hwy
X5 M
	AWD	4.4 turbo V8	13 city/18 hwy
		Competition 4.4 turbo V8	13 city/18 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the RS Q8’s fuel efficiency. The X5 M doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RS Q8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X5 M:

	RS Q8	RS Q8 CCB	X5 M
Front Rotors	16.5 inches	17.3 inches	15.6 inches

The RS Q8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The X5 M doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS Q8 has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the X5 M. The RS Q8’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels optional on the X5 M.

Suspension and Handling

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

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

Chassis

The design of the Audi RS Q8 amounts to more than styling. The RS Q8 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .36 Cd. That is lower than the X5 M (.38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RS Q8 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The RS Q8 has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5 M.

Cargo Capacity

The RS Q8’s cargo area is larger than the X5 M’s in almost every dimension:

	RS Q8	X5 M
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	41.1”/75.4”	40.7”/70”
Max Width	54”	49”
Min Width	39.8”	44”
Height	29”	31.5”

The RS Q8’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 M’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

Towing

The RS Q8 has a 7700 lbs. towing capacity. The X5 M has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS Q8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A manual rear sunshade is standard in the RS Q8 and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X5 M doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi RS Q8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X5 M.

The RS Q8’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The X5 M’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Economic Advantages

The RS Q8 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RS Q8 will retain 50.07% of its original price after five years, while the X5 M only retains 45.35%.

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