Compare the2023 BMW X4 MVS 2023 Audi SQ8

The X4 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The SQ8 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 SQ8 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X4 M and the SQ8 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 SQ8.

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 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 3 more horsepower (503 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the X4 M Competition is faster than the Audi SQ8:

On the EPA test cycle the X4 M gets better mileage than the SQ8:

The X4 M’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The SQ8 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X4 M stops much shorter than the SQ8:

The X4 M Competition handles at .97 G’s, while the SQ8 Prestige pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW X4 M may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 pounds less than the Audi SQ8.

The X4 M is 9.1 inches shorter than the SQ8, making the X4 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW X4 M amounts to more than styling. The X4 M has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .36 Cd. That is significantly lower than the SQ8 (.4). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X4 M get better fuel mileage.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X4 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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 SQ8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X4 M’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Insurance will cost less for the X4 M owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X4 M will cost $2525 to $2850 less than the SQ8 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW X4 M will be $16329 to $21309 less than for the Audi SQ8.

The BMW X4 outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by 425 units during 2022.