Compare the2023 BMW XMVS 2023 Audi e-tron

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The e-tron doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XM has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The XM’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 e-tron doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XM and the e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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 and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM 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 e-tron.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XM’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 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 242 more horsepower (644 vs. 402) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 490) than the e-tron’s standard electric motors. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 148 more horsepower (644 vs. 496) than the e-tron S’ standard electric motors.

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the e-tron (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 255/50R20). The XM’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/45R21).

The XM’s standard 275/45R21 front and 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the e-tron’s standard 50 series tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the e-tron’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the e-tron. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the e-tron.

The XM has a standard 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 e-tron; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The XM has 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 e-tron doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The XM 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 e-tron.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the e-tron (122.2 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the average track on the e-tron.

The XM has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 56.4 cubic feet).

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron’s (5952 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the XM uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The e-tron doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 XM’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW XM has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the e-tron.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The e-tron doesn’t offer an automated parking system.