Compare the2025 Audi RS Q8VS 2025 BMW X5 M

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS Q8 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X5 M doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi RS Q8 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 X5 M doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the RS Q8 and X5 M have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The RS Q8 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 X5 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.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The RS Q8 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The X5 M doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the RS Q8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The X5 M doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the RS Q8 and the X5 M have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The RS Q8’s 4.0 turbo V8 produces 14 more horsepower (631 vs. 617) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 553) than the X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the RS Q8 gets better fuel mileage than the X5 M Competition (14 city/20 hwy vs. 13 city/18 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the RS Q8’s fuel efficiency. The X5 M doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

For better stopping power the RS Q8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the X5 M:

The RS Q8 has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The X5 M doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RS Q8 has standard 22-inch wheels. Only 21-inch front wheels are available on the X5 M. The RS Q8 offers optional 23-inch wheels.

The RS Q8 has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5 M.

The RS Q8’s cargo area is larger than the X5 M’s in almost every dimension:

The RS Q8’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5 M’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The RS Q8 has a 7700 lbs. towing capacity. The X5 M has no towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the RS Q8 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The X5 M doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RS Q8 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X5 M doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A manual rear sunshade is standard in the RS Q8 and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X5 M doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.