Compare the2023 BMW X5 MVS 2023 Audi SQ8

The X5 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 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 SQ8 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 SQ8 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X5 M and the SQ8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 SQ8:

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 M its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 136 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The SQ8 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

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 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 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 100 more horsepower (600 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The X5 M Competition’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 117 more horsepower (617 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

The X5 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.

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the SQ8 (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R21 vs. 285/45R21).

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 SQ8’s standard 45 series tires. The X5 M’s tires are lower profile than the SQ8’s optional 40 series tires.

The design of the BMW X5 M amounts to more than styling. The X5 M has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .38 Cd. That is lower than the SQ8 (.4). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X5 M get better fuel mileage.

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X5 M has 3.7 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the SQ8.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ8 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ8 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 M easier. The X5 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ8’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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the SQ8, the X5 M has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 M to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The SQ8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X5 M’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the SQ8’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The SQ8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X5 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.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by almost 9 to one during 2022.