Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2024 Audi Q5

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW XM 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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The XM’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 Q5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XM and the Q5 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 XM weighs 1442 to 2015 pounds more than the Audi Q5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, 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.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

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 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 XM has more powerful engines than the Q5:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the Q5 55 TFSI e:

The XM can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles. The Q5 55 TFSI e has to start its internal combustion engine after only 22 miles.

The XM has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.2 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XM has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port with a power remote release convenient to the driver and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Q5 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (5 to 7). This means the XM produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW XM, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5:

The XM stops much shorter than the Q5:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the Q5 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 235/60R18). The XM’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 255/45R20).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5’s standard 60 series tires. The XM’s optional 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q5. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q5.

The XM 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 Q5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The rear suspension of the XM uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Q5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The XM 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 Q5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 11.2 inches longer than on the Q5 (122.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Q5.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the XM has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q5 55 TFSI e (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XM’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Q5 45 TFSI (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches).

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Q5.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the Q5’s in every dimension:

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5’s (5952 vs. 4400 pounds).

While the Q5 55 TFSI e can only tow 2000, any XM can tow a minimum of 5952 pounds.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the XM 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 Q5 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5, the XM 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.

The XM’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 Q5.

The Q5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The XM’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 XM has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW XM has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q5.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.