Compare the2024 BMW X4VS 2024 Audi Q3

The X4 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Q3 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X4 offers an optional 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.

The X4’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 Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X4 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, 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.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X4 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 X4’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 X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 64 more horsepower (248 vs. 184) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X4 xDrive30i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (248 vs. 228) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 154 more horsepower (382 vs. 228) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the X4 xDrive30i gets better fuel mileage than the Q3 45 TFSI (21 city/28 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X4 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (17.2 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X4 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

The X4 stops much shorter than the Q3:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the Q3 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The X4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q3’s standard 55 series tires. The X4’s optional 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q3’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3. The X4’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q3.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X4 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X4 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Q3 (112.8 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q3.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the Q3 (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X4 has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the X4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the BMW X4 amounts to more than styling. The X4 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .29 to .35 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the Q3 (.38 to .39) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X4 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the X4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The X4 has 13.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (97.8 vs. 84).

The X4 has .7 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

The X4 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (50.5 vs. 48 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X4’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The engine in the X4 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Q3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 X4 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 X4 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 X4 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 Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X4’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.

When the X4 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.

Both the X4 and the Q3 offer available heated front seats. The X4 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X4 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the X4’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 X4’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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 first among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.