Compare the2023 BMW X4 MVS 2023 Audi SQ5

The BMW X4 M 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.

The X4 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X4 M offers an optional 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 X4 M’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 X4 M 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 M 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 X4 M’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 X4 M’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 124 more horsepower (473 vs. 349) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The X4 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (503 vs. 349) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the X4 M Competition is faster than the Audi SQ5:

For better stopping power the X4 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The X4 M stops shorter than the SQ5:

For better traction and acceleration, the X4 M has larger rear tires than the SQ5 (265/45R20 vs. 255/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4 M’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the SQ5 (112.8 inches vs. 111 inches).

The X4 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the SQ5’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the X4 M more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M Competition handles at .97 G’s, while the SQ5 Prestige pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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 X4 M offers a 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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X4 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X4 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X4 M’s optional 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.

The X4 M will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X4 M will retain 51.1% of its original price after five years, while the SQ5 only retains 50.53% to 50.54%.