Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2025 Audi new SQ5 Sportback

The XM’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the XM and the new SQ5 Sportback 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 1572 pounds more than the Audi new SQ5 Sportback. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the XM for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, 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 SQ5 Sportback.

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.

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 new SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the XM Label running on electricity gets better mileage than the new SQ5 Sportback (47 city/46 hwy MPGe vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

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

The XM has a gallon more fuel capacity than the new SQ5 Sportback (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 new SQ5 Sportback (4). This means the XM produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the new SQ5 Sportback 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 new SQ5 Sportback.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new SQ5 Sportback:

For better traction, the XM has larger tires than the new SQ5 Sportback (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 new SQ5 Sportback’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 new SQ5 Sportback’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 new SQ5 Sportback. The XM’s 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the new SQ5 Sportback.

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 new SQ5 Sportback 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 new SQ5 Sportback.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 11.3 inches longer than on the new SQ5 Sportback (122.2 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the new SQ5 Sportback.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 53.3 cubic feet).

The XM’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the new SQ5 Sportback’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 new SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new SQ5 Sportback, 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 new SQ5 Sportback.