Compare the2026 BMW XMVS 2025 Audi SQ8

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the XM are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The SQ8 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the XM and the SQ8 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The BMW XM weighs 877 pounds more than the Audi SQ8. 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 SQ8.

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 238 more horsepower (738 vs. 500) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (738 vs. 568) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW XM is faster than the Audi SQ8:

On the EPA test cycle the XM Label running on electricity gets better mileage than the SQ8 (47 city/46 hwy MPGe vs. 15 city/21 hwy).

The XM Label can travel with zero emissions for 30 miles. The SQ8 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW XM higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi SQ8 (2). This means the XM produces up to 27.7 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ8 every 15,000 miles.

The XM’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The SQ8 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the XM’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ8:

The XM stops shorter than the SQ8:

For better traction and acceleration, the XM has larger rear tires than the SQ8 (315/30R23 vs. 285/40R22).

The XM’s standard 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ8’s standard 40 series tires. The XM’s 315/30R23 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the SQ8’s optional 35 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the XM’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the SQ8 (122.2 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the XM is 1.9 inches wider in the front than on the SQ8.

For better maneuverability, the XM’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (41 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XM has 3.3 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the SQ8.

The XM has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ8 with its rear seat folded (64.3 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

The XM’s cargo area is larger than the SQ8’s in almost every dimension:

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The SQ8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The XM’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.