Compare the2026 BMW iXVS 2025 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 iX 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 iX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 BMW iX’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Audi Q5 only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the iX 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The BMW iX weighs 915 to 1770 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 iX for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, 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 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the iX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 73 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The iX has more powerful engines than the Q5:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the Q5 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the iX gets better mileage than the Q5 running its gasoline engine:

The iX can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 312 to 364 miles. The Q5 55 TFSI e has to start its internal combustion engine after only 23 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW iX higher (10 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (4 to 6). This means the iX produces up to 25 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

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

The iX stops much shorter than the Q5:

For better traction, the iX’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 (275/40R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The iX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 Prestige’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the iX xDrive45/60 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q5. The iX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Q5 Prestige.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the iX’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Q5 (118.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the iX is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q5.

The iX xDrive60 handles at .88 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The iX M70 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Q5 45 TFSI Prestige (25.5 seconds @ .74 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the iX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q5 55 TFSI e (8.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the iX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The iX’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the Q5 45 TFSI (8.8 vs. 8.2 inches).

The design of the BMW iX amounts to more than styling. The iX offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .25 to .26 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is significantly lower than the Q5 (.33 to .34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the iX get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the iX 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 iX has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5.

The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 with its rear seat up (35.5 vs. 25.9 cubic feet). The iX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (77.9 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

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

The iX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5’s (3500 vs. 2750 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q5 is only 4400 pounds. The iX offers up to a 6834 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Q5 55 TFSI e can only tow 2000, any iX can tow a minimum of 3500 pounds.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the iX 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.

The iX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5.

Laser headlights, optional on the iX, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the Q5’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

Consumer Reports rated the iX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Q5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The iX’s optional 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 BMW iX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Q5.

The iX offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Q5.

Compared to traditional radio, the BMW iX’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q5.

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

The iX’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.