Compare the2024 BMW X2VS 2024 Audi Q3

With its standard Active Driving Assistant, the BMW X2 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q3, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X2 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 Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the X2 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the BMW X2 is safer than the Q3:

The BMW X2 achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Q3 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 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 Q3.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X2’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the X2 has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Q3’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 10 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 57 more horsepower (241 vs. 184) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X2 xDrive28i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (241 vs. 228) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X2 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (312 vs. 228) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the Q3:

Regenerative brakes improve the X2’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X2 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Q3 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The X2’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 Q3 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the Q3 (245/45R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The X2 xDrive28i’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q3’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 xDrive28i has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3. The X2’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q3.

The X2 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For greater off-road capability the X2 has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8.1 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the X2 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X2 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The X2 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (51.7 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The X2 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The X2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X2 has standard Comfort Go that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

The X2’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

When the X2 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Q3’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

On extremely cold winter days, the X2’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The X2 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q3.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q3 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.