Compare the2023 Audi RS Q8VS 2023 BMW X6 M

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 X6 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 X6 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RS Q8 and X6 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 X6 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 X6 M doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the RS Q8 and the X6 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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.

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 “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RS Q8 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 158 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X6 M has not been tested, yet.

The RS Q8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 553) than the X6 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 X6 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8.

On the EPA test cycle the RS Q8 gets better mileage than the X6 M:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the RS Q8’s fuel efficiency. The X6 M doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

For better stopping power the RS Q8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X6 M:

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 X6 M doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS Q8 has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the X6 M. The RS Q8’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels optional on the X6 M.

The front and rear suspension of the RS Q8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the X6 M, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The RS Q8 has 1.2 inches more front legroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the X6 M.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RS Q8’s rear seats recline. The X6 M’s rear seats don’t recline.

The RS Q8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X6 M with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 27.4 cubic feet). The RS Q8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 M with its rear seat folded (60.7 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RS Q8 has a standard rear wiper. The X6 M doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 X6 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 X6 M doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

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 X6 M’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 outsold the BMW X6 by 31% during 2021.