When it comes to luxury, we all think BMW and Audi. The BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 are two of the most popular SUVs we see on the road today. Consumers are typically attracted to the X3 and the Q5 because of their looks, safety and performance. Both cars are great options, but the X3 is the best option hands down.
Exterior
The BMW X3 was just recently redesigned in the last couple of years. A handsome body and dynamic rear roof pillars bring out the aggressive look of the X3, as does the front end. BMW strategically placed a kidney grille above a lower-intake. On the front, you can also see it has a distinct design for the outboard intakes and fog-light pockets. The X3 comes standard with chrome exhaust tips which brings a touch of flair to the rear. Lighting wise, the X3 comes standard with LEDs for the low-beams, fog lights and daytime running lights. Halogen headlamps are used for the standard high beams. The Audi Q5, suffers from a weakness of a different design. Even though the simple design continues to work in its favor in specific markets, this design seems to have reached its limit. It is time Audi brings something new to the table.
Power and Efficiency
Both the X3 and Q5 provide a comfortable ride and safe handling on various road surfaces. You can also get the X3 or Q5 with an optional adaptive suspension that can make your ride softer or firmer, which ever you prefer. This feature is optional in the X3, but Audi offers this only on the priciest Q5 trim level. When driving a little more aggressively, the X3 is sharper and feels safer while driving around close corners and turns when driving compared to the Q5. The base engine of the X3 is slightly less powerful than the Q5’s hp. The X3 has about 29 mpg highway while the Q5 has about 27 mpg highway. You can enjoy the power and performance of the X3 for longer stretches of time without the need to refuel every so often.
Safety
The BWM X3 and the Audi Q5 performed extremely well in crash tests. Both vehicles were given the highest rating of Good in six crash tests by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2019 X3 earned a Top Safety Pick designation with the IIHS. In the Audi Q5, you will find some standard safety features. The safety features include a rearview camera, automated emergency breaking and forward collision warning. Standard features in the X3 include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, driver drowsiness monitoring which monitors how long the driver has been driving for and locates rest stops and restaurants ahead and Active Protection System which detects imminent accidents by automatically pretensioning safety belts, closing windows and activating post-crash braking.
Infotainment
The X3 and the Q5 both offer a large entertainment screen and high-resolution digital gauge clusters. The X3 has an intuitive infotainment system which responds to touch, voice commands, or the optional Gesture Control. The Q5’s infotainment looks slightly more modern and has more configurations. One major difference is the X3 has a touchscreen infotainment system and the Q5 does not offer that. The Q5's lack of touchscreen makes these systems inconvenient to use at times.
Space
Both the Q5 and X3 have impressive interiors. There’s no denying the quality of both cars. You are not going to find cheap materials in either the X3 or the Q5. Both seat five, but you'll love how spacious and cozy the BMW X3 is. With nearly 29 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 63 cubic feet with the second row folded, you'll have room for maximum comfort. The Audi Q5 only offers 26.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.5 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The Audi Q5 also falls behind the X3 with passenger space. The second row leaves your passengers feeling cramped, especially in the middle.
It's no secret, the BMW X3 surpasses the Audi Q5 in all aspects. The X3 has everything a driver could possibly want in a car: safety, power and beautiful to look at. Stop by our dealership today to take a look at our X3 lineup or take a look at our lineup on our website!