Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2026 Audi SQ5

The BMW XM 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.

Both the XM and the SQ5 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 and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 1660 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 XM’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 XM’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 376 more horsepower (738 vs. 362) and 332 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 406) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Audi SQ5:

On the EPA test cycle the XM Label running on electricity gets better mileage than the SQ5 (47 city/46 hwy MPGe vs. 21 city/28 hwy).

The XM Label can travel with zero emissions for 30 miles. The SQ5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

The XM has a gallon more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (18.2 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi SQ5 (4). This means the XM produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ5 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW XM, 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 XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The XM stops shorter than the SQ5:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the SQ5 (F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23 vs. 255/45R20).

The XM’s standard 275/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The XM’s 275/35R23 front and 315/30R23 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 XM has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the SQ5.

The XM 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 XM 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 XM’s wheelbase is 11.2 inches longer than on the SQ5 (122.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 4.4 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The XM Label handles at .97 G’s, while the SQ5 Prestige pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The XM Label executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the SQ5 Prestige (23.9 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s).

The front grille of the XM uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5’s (5952 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the XM 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 XM 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 XM 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.