Compared: 2023 BMW X5 vs. 2023 Audi Q5
Power and flash vs. a better price tag.
BMW | Audi
Article QuickTakes:
Both the 2023 BMW X5 and 2023 Audi Q5 are luxury SUVs from German manufacturers known for outstanding performance, high-end interiors, and the latest technology. Each offers gas and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and they have a 5 in their names, but that’s where the similarities end.
The X5 is larger and costlier, but it wins on passenger and cargo space, and easily outpaces the Q5 when it comes to power. The Audi features more restrained styling and bests the X5 in fuel economy, but by a smaller margin than you might expect. The Q5’s biggest draw is its base-model pricing, which is well below the BMW’s.
BMW
2023 BMW X5 vs. 2023 Audi Q5: Price
The BMW X5 ranges from the base sDrive40i at about $63,000 with a 335-hp, turbocharged engine and rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive adds roughly $2,300 to the price) to the X5 M50i at about $86,000, which sports a 523-hp, turbocharged engine. The xDrive45e plug-in hybrid is available for around $67,000. For the pinnacle of performance and luxury, expect to start around $110,000 for the 600-hp X5 M.
Audi
The 2023 Q5 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Each of those is offered at different power outputs. The Q5 40 uses a 2.0-liter engine tuned to 201 hp, and prices range from $46,000 to $57,000, roughly. The Q5 45 is a $2,500 upgrade across trims) with the same engine tuned to 261 hp. The Q5 55 (from around $59,000 to $69,000) is a 362-hp plug-in hybrid. The slightly more expensive Q5 Sportback offers a similar lineup with a more coupe-like profile from its rounded roofline.
The Q5’s performance model is the 349-hp SQ5, starting around $58,000 in Premium trim, or roughly $3,500 more as an SQ5 Sportback. An SQ5 can crest $70,000 with options.
BMW
2023 BMW X5 vs. 2023 Audi Q5: Features
The X5 in base 40i trim comes with SensaTec (leatherette) seating in a variety of shades, along with either wood or aluminum trim. A Merino leather interior is available in higher trim levels, while M50i and X5 M also offer wood or carbon fiber trim options.
All X5 models sport a pair of 12.3-inch screens that make up the instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, a panoramic moonroof, and up to 72.3 cubic feet of cargo space. BMW also offers a small third row that expands its seating capacity to seven.
Audi
The Premium (base) Audi Q5 40 and 45 trims come with an attractive interior with leather seating surfaces, LED interior lighting, wood inlays, Audi’s MMI infotainment system with 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a 7-inch display between its analog gauges. The Premium Q5 55 adds Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus, as well as a 12.3-inch fully digital and customizable instrument cluster. At the Prestige level, the Q5 gets upgraded interior LED lighting, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and more. SQ5 Premium Plus and Prestige models offer the S Sport Package, which adds red brake calipers, an adaptive air suspension, and a sport rear differential.
The Q5 offers as much as 54.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which is a fair trade considering it’s nearly 10 inches shorter than the X5 with its 72.3 cubes. If you’ve got a tight garage, the Audi may make a better choice.
BMW
2023 BMW X5 vs. 2023 Audi Q5: Fuel Economy
V8-equipped X5 models take a hit in efficiency for the extra power: The M50i is rated at 18 mpg combined, while the X5 M (with or without the Competition Package) is rated at an EPA-estimated 15 mpg combined. The SQ5 manages a combined 21 mpg.
Audi
The X5’s six-cylinder engines are more efficient, returning 23 mpg with rear- or all-wheel drive. In either power output level, the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine in the Audi Q5 returns EPA estimates of 25 mpg combined..
We’re still waiting on the EPA to evaluate the 2023 Audi Q5 55 plug-in hybrid. The 2023 BMW X5 xDrive45e is rated at 31 miles of all-electric range, and 20 mpg combined after that. The 2022 Audi Q5 55 plug-in hybrid was rated at 23 miles of all-electric range and 26 mpg after the battery was depleted.
