Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2025 Audi new Q5

The X3’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 X3 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 X3 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.

The BMW X3’s optionalSurround View is available with washers for its front and rear cameras, ensuring crystal-clear visibility in any weather condition. Conversely, the Audi new Q5 only offers a rear camera washer, which may not provide the same level of all-weather performance.

Both the X3 and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, 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.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 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 X3’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 X3 M50 xDrive’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 125 more horsepower (393 vs. 268) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (428 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the new Q5:

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, 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 X3 M50 xDrive’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new Q5:

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the new Q5 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new Q5’s standard 60 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the new Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the new Q5. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the new Q5.

The X3 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 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 1.9 inches longer than on the new Q5 (112.8 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

The X3 has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear headroom than the new Q5.

The front step up height for the X3 is .5 inches lower than the new Q5 (18.5” vs. 19”). The X3’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the new Q5’s (18.5” vs. 19.7”).

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the new Q5 with its rear seat up (31.5 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new Q5 with its rear seat folded (67.1 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Audi new Q5 is limited to 4400 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stabilization Control on the X3 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.

The X3’s 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 26% during 2024.