Compare the2024 Audi SQ5 SportbackVS 2023 BMW X6 M

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi SQ5 Sportback 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 BMW X6 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and X6 M have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X6 M’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Both the SQ5 Sportback and the X6 M 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 Sportback gets better mileage than the X6 M:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 Sportback uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The X6 M requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi SQ5 Sportback higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X6 M (3). This means the SQ5 Sportback produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X6 M every 15,000 miles.

For better maneuverability, the SQ5 Sportback’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the X6 M’s (38.7 feet vs. 42 feet).

The Audi SQ5 Sportback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 pounds less than the BMW X6 M.

The SQ5 Sportback is 10.4 inches shorter than the X6 M, making the SQ5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SQ5 Sportback has .5 inches more front legroom and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the X6 M.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the SQ5 Sportback’s rear seats recline. The X6 M’s rear seats don’t recline.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the SQ5 Sportback has a standard rear wiper. The X6 M doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X6 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Insurance will cost less for the SQ5 Sportback owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ5 Sportback will cost $6145 to $7425 less than the X6 M over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi SQ5 Sportback will be $44322 to $53270 less than for the BMW X6 M.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback outsold the BMW X6 by over seven to one during 2023.