The X5's pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The new Q5 doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X5 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 new Q5 doesn't offer knee airbags.

The X5 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 new Q5 doesn't offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi new Q5 has not been tested.

Both the X5 and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The BMW X5 weighs 675 to 1329 pounds more than the Audi new Q5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The BMW X5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS' rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The new Q5 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the new 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 X5'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 X5 40i's standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 107 more horsepower (375 vs. 268) and 103 lbs.-ft. more torque (398 vs. 295) than the new Q5's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 xDrive50e's standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 215 more horsepower (483 vs. 268) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 295) than the new Q5's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The X5 M60i xDrive's standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 255 more horsepower (523 vs. 268) and 258 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 295) than the new Q5's 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive50e running on electricity gets better mileage than the new Q5 (58 city/62 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

The X5 xDrive50e can travel with zero emissions for 40 miles. The new Q5 can't move without running its internal combustion engine.

The X5 xDrive50e's standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the new Q5 (18.2 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X5's standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the new Q5 (21.9 vs. 17.2 gallons).

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new Q5.

For better stopping power the X5's brake rotors are larger than those on the new Q5:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the new Q5 (275/45R20 vs. 235/55R19). The X5's optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the new Q5 (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The X5's standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new Q5's standard 60 series tires. The X5's optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the new Q5's optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the new Q5. The X5's optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the new Q5.

The X5 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on xDrive50e) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn't available on the new Q5; 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.

The X5 M60i offers 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 new Q5 doesn't offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M60i xDrive 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 new Q5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5's wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the new Q5 (117.1 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The new Q5 doesn't offer active grille shutters.

The X5 has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the new Q5.

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the new Q5 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The X5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new Q5 with its rear seat folded (72.3 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

The X5's rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The new Q5's rear cargo window doesn't open.

The X5's standard towing capacity is much higher than the new Q5's (5952 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi new Q5 is only 4400 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X5 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 new Q5 doesn't offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new Q5, the X5 M60i has a 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 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren't available in the new Q5.

The X5's Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional 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 new Q5's automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The X5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The new Q5 doesn't offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the BMW X5 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X5 outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 24% during 2024.