Compare the2026 BMW X5 MVS 2026 Audi SQ5

The BMW X5 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X5 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the X5 M and the SQ5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 driver alert monitors.

The BMW X5 M weighs 1067 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X5 M’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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The X5 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 255 more horsepower (617 vs. 362) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 406) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

Regenerative brakes improve the X5 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 M has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5 M, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the SQ5.

For better stopping power the X5 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

For better traction, the X5 M has larger tires than the SQ5 (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The X5 M Competition’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The X5 M Competition’s optional 295/35R21 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 M Competition has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The X5 M Competition’s optional 22-inch rear wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5.

The X5 M has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the SQ5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the SQ5 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The X5 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M 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 SQ5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5 M’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the SQ5 (117 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X5 M is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The X5 M has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The X5 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

The X5 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X5 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the SQ5, the X5 M has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 M has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the SQ5.

The X5 M’s Parking Assistant Professional 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 SQ5’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 65% during 2025.