Compare the2023 BMW X7VS 2023 Audi SQ7

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Audi SQ7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The BMW X7 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X7 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X7 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The X7’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 SQ7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X7 and the SQ7 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the SQ7.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X7’s warranty.

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The SQ7’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 X7 M60i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 23 more horsepower (523 vs. 500) than the SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The Alpina XB7’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 131 more horsepower (631 vs. 500) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 568) than the SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the SQ7:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X7 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Audi SQ7 (3). This means the X7 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ7 every 15,000 miles.

The X7’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 SQ7 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction and acceleration, the X7 has larger standard rear tires than the SQ7 (315/35R22 vs. 285/40R21).

The X7’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 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 SQ7’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 offers optional 23-inch wheels. The SQ7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The SQ7 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X7 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the SQ7; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the SQ7 (122.2 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

The front grille of the X7 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ7 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X7 has 2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more third row headroom and 4.1 inches more third row legroom than the SQ7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the X7’s middle and third row seats recline. The SQ7’s third row seats don’t recline.

The X7’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ7.

The X7’s cargo area is larger than the SQ7’s in almost every dimension:

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The SQ7 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ7’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X7 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 SQ7 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 X7’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The SQ7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The SQ7’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X7’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 X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Audi doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the SQ7.

The X7 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 SQ7.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X7 outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by 59% during 2022.