Compare the2024 BMW X2VS 2024 Audi Q5 Sportback

The BMW X2 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Active Driving Assistant, the BMW X2 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q5 Sportback, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the X2 and the Q5 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, 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 Q5 Sportback:

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 Q5 Sportback last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

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 Q5 Sportback.

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.

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 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X2 M35i xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 51 more horsepower (312 vs. 261) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X2 gets better mileage than the Q5 Sportback:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X2 higher (6 to 8 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 Sportback (5). This means the X2 produces up to 13.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the X2 has larger tires than the Q5 Sportback (245/45R19 vs. 235/55R19).

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 Q5 Sportback’s standard 55 series tires.

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 Q5 Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Audi Q5 Sportback.

The X2 is 5.3 inches shorter than the Q5 Sportback, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X2 has a larger cargo volume than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 24.7 cubic feet).

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 Q5 Sportback.

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 Q5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.