Compare the2023 BMW X5 MVS 2023 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The BMW X5 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 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X5 M 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 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X5 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 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 M and the SQ5 Sportback 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 X5 M weighs 1123 pounds more than the Audi SQ5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 M is safer than the Audi SQ5 Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 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 Sportback.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5 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 X5 M’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 251 more horsepower (600 vs. 349) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 268 more horsepower (617 vs. 349) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The X5 M has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 Sportback (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X5 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5 Sportback:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the SQ5 Sportback (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X5 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5 Sportback’s standard 45 series tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5 Sportback. The X5 M’s optional 22-inch rear wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5 Sportback.

The X5 M 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 Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the X5 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5 Sportback, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X5 M 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 Sportback.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the SQ5 Sportback (117 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5 Sportback.

The X5 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the SQ5 Sportback’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the X5 M more stable handling and braking.

The front grille of the X5 M 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 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 M has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5 Sportback.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5 Sportback’s in every dimension:

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ5 Sportback’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

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 X5 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 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X5 M’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 Sportback.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X5 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X5 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X5 M 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 Sportback.

The X5 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5 Sportback.

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi SQ5 Sportback by 31% during 2022.