Compare the2024 BMW XMVS 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The XM 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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the XM and the Q8 e-tron 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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 Q8 e-tron.

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’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 242 more horsepower (644 vs. 402) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 490) than the Q8 e-tron’s standard electric motors. The XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 148 more horsepower (644 vs. 496) than the SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors. The XM Label Red’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 242 more horsepower (738 vs. 496) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 717) than the SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW XM (base engine) is faster than the Audi Q8 e-tron (base engine):

The XM’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 340 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Q8 e-tron’s range is only 253 to 285 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 31 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 16 hours.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q8 e-tron:

The XM stops much shorter than the Q8 e-tron:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the Q8 e-tron (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 255/50R20). The XM’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q8 e-tron (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 265/45R21).

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 Q8 e-tron’s standard 50 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 Q8 e-tron’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the Q8 e-tron. The XM’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Q8 e-tron.

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 Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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 Q8 e-tron.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Q8 e-tron (122.2 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Q8 e-tron.

The XM handles at .92 G’s, while the Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition pulls only .85 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 Q8 e-tron (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the XM to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The XM has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q8 e-tron.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 56.4 cubic feet).

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q8 e-tron’s (5952 vs. 0 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 Q8 e-tron 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 XM’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 Q8 e-tron’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the XM has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer cornering lights. The XM also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 Q8 e-tron.

The XM’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q8 e-tron Prestige/Launch Assist’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.