Compare the2023 BMW XMVS 2023 Audi SQ5

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XM and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The BMW XM weighs 1775 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 SQ5.

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 295 more horsepower (644 vs. 349) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The XM can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The SQ5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi SQ5 (5). This means the XM produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ5 every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the SQ5 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 255/45R20).

The XM’s standard 315/40R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 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 SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5.

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 SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

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 SQ5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 11.2 inches longer than on the SQ5 (122.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The XM’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.1% to 50.9%) than the SQ5’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the XM more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the SQ5 (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5’s in almost every dimension:

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5’s (5952 vs. 4400 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 SQ5 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 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The XM’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XM has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 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.

The XM has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the SQ5.

The XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

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 SQ5.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.