Audi SQ8 vs BMW X5

What's the difference?

The Audi SQ8 isn’t your typical performance SUV. It’s more refined and less flashy. The tech can be more complicated than it needs to be and if you’re wanting that V8 soundscape, you won’t find it here.

However, the handling and on road experience are superb plus you can comfortably haul the family around and look good doing it.

This is a luxurious prestige five-seater brimming with BMW’s latest design and technology that’s not only practical for weekly family duties but can also embrace spirited driving with the push of a button. A great all-rounder for families that like a sporty edge. 

The SQ8 is a gorgeous coupe-style SUV that looks purposeful and poised with its balanced proportions and wide stance. It’s stands apart from its siblings thanks to the S-styled nose treatment and our test model's black accent package makes the honeycomb grille look even sportier. 

The update sees new air intake vents at the front, matrix LED headlights and new chrome exhaust tailpipes.

The upgraded 23-inch alloys with red calipers behind them hint at what’s under the bonnet, as does the Sakhir (sack-heer) Gold paintwork which is aptly named after the one-off Grand Prix race circuit.

The interior looks luxuriously appointed with the black Valcona leather upholstery and the dash is headlined by three high-end technology screens. The SQ8 also gets sport seats featuring a quilted design and 'S' badging but there’s not much else separating it from its siblings.

Audi fans will love the the SQ8's more understated interior but newcomers might be surprised it's not as flashy as some of its rivals.

The latest front-end design features subtle revisions to BMW’s signature 'kidney' grille theme, highlighted by slimmer matrix LED headlights with chevron-shaped DRLs that incorporate the turn indicators.

There’s also an ‘iconic glow’ function, which illuminates the twin-grilles at night in-sync with the external courtesy lights when approaching and departing the vehicle. Lower front air-intake and tail-light treatments have also been revised.

The dash features a new curved instrument panel. Based on BMW’s latest generation 'iDrive' operating system, it consists of a 12.3-inch driver’s info display and 14.9-inch control display presented across the same seamless glass surface.

The control display’s touchscreen functionality has allowed dash buttons and switches to be minimised.

This new design dash has a blend of synthetic leather trim and dark brown/high-gloss woodgrain surfaces, along with new LED ambient lighting and gear-selector design.

The rear seat is sumptuous and spacious, even for someone my height (186cm). There’s ample knee and headroom and it can seat three kids in comfort, but for adult passengers wanting that 'business class' feel it would be ideal for two.

My only criticism of the new instrument display is that with more than 30 applications displayed on the expansive control screen, it can be distracting at times trying to visually locate and operate these functions while driving.

And, depending on sun angle, there were also complaints from different front seat passengers on different days about blinding glare caused by the dash’s high-gloss woodgrain inserts. Fortunately, the driver is unaffected by these reflections.

The upper large SUV tag certainly makes sense when it comes to cabin space because there's a lot of it. Both rows enjoy ample head- and legroom and access is great thanks to wide door apertures and high ground clearance.

Comfort is high with well-padded seats and thanks to the Sensory Package all but the middle back seater get some luxury extras.

The centre rear position has compromised legroom courtesy of the transmission tunnel, so it's best for a kid. However, the front seats take the cake with their massage, heat and cooling functions and adjustable supports.

Amenities are great throughout the car and the extendable sun visors, rear electric sunshades, soft-close doors and four-zone climate control clinch the practicality deal.

Individual storage is a bit sparse up front with two cupholders, a drink bottle holder in each door and a shallow middle console that realistically only fits a phone.

The glove box is a great size. I can fit my handbag in it, but there are not a lot of areas to pop your smaller items in.

Individual storage is a bit better in the rear as you get two big map pockets, a drink bottle holder in each door, plus two cupholders in the fold-down armrest - so it feels like you have more places for your bits and pieces.

Technology looks amazing but overwhelming to use until you wrap your head around it all. The haptic feedback also gets tired fast. The built-in satellite navigation is super simple while the head-up display and digital instrument cluster feature pull through directions, which is handy.

Charging options are good with each row getting two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket but the front also enjoys a wireless charging pad. The pad is slow to charge, though, and left my iPhone feeling super hot whenever it was used.

The boot is a good size at 605L and easy to access, too. The sloping roof means larger items have to sit flush with the seats but you shouldn’t have to worry for road trips. 

The back seat has a 40/20/40 split which opens up storage options and this model has a powered tailgate.

With its 2165kg kerb weight and maximum allowable weight of 2885kg, our test vehicle can legally carry up to 720kg.

That should be ample for five adults (even better for kids) and their luggage, of which up to 100kg can be carried on the roof rails using a rack or roof box (both in BMW's accessory range).

Powered upper and lower tailgates provide good access to the luggage area, which is carpeted and equipped with a roll-out privacy screen, load securing hooks, a 12-volt accessory outlet and a first-aid kit stored behind a removable side panel.

The space-saver spare and tools are stored below the hinged load floor, so all luggage must be removed to access them.

Internal luggage space with the rear seat upright is 650 litres (0.65 cubic metres) which expands to 1870 litres (1.87 cubic metres) with the rear seat folded flat.

A useful load-carrying feature when the rear seat’s backrest is upright is a hinged centre section that folds forward and flat to carry long and narrow items.

These can stretch all the way from the tailgate to the dash if need be, which could be handy for carting anything from skis to home hardware purchases (firmly secured, of course).

It’s also rated to tow up to an impressive 3500kg of braked trailer, which matches the class benchmark for one-tonne utes.

However, given that tow-ball download (TBD) is usually around 10 per cent of trailer weight, the X5’s maximum TBD rating of only 140kg could be a challenge if 3500kg towing is required.

Front of cabin storage includes a big bottle-holder and bin in each front door, a glove box and on the right-hand side of the dash a pull-out driver’s bin, both of which are felt-lined.

The centre console, in addition to its wireless phone-charging pad, USB-A port and 12-volt outlet, has two small-bottle/cupholders up front and a large box at the rear, housing a USB-C port and topped by a padded dual 'brochure fold' lid that double as an elbow-rest for driver and front passenger.

Rear seat storage includes a large-bottle holder and bin in each door and pockets on each front seat backrest. The rear of the centre console has two storage nooks for small items in addition to its air-vents, two USB-C ports and a 12-volt outlet. There’s also a handy tablet-mount and USB-C port on each front seat backrest, which is great for long trips.

Folding down the rear seat’s centre armrest reveals two pop-out small-bottle/cupholders. And under its hinged lid is a hidden felt-lined compartment that’s ideal for storing slim screened devices away from prying eyes.

Our test vehicle, to use its full name, is the X5 xDrive 40i M Sport. That breaks down to xDrive (intelligent all-wheel drive) and 40i (3.0L turbo in-line petrol six) with eight-speed automatic transmission.

M Sport denotes a package that's included as standard equipment which contains desirable goodies like enormous multi-piston M Sport brakes/adaptive suspension/aerodynamics, M leather-rimmed steering wheel, high-gloss black roof-rails and more.

All up, the list price is $138,900. However, our example has an optional ‘Enhancement Package’ which for another $6000 adds your choice of selected 22-inch alloy wheels (fitted with 275/35 R22 Continental tyres on ours), a tyre pressure monitoring system, metallic paint ('Skyscraper Grey' on ours), Harman Kardon 16-speaker surround-sound audio and 'Crafted Clarity' glass application (glass-handled shifter).

And this is on top of many standard features including three-zone climate control, automatic two-piece tailgate, digital radio, a head-up driver display, adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist, a panoramic full-length sunroof, wireless Apple/Android integration, 'Verino' quilted synthetic leather upholstery, numerous USB ports/12v outlets and more. However, there’s only a space-saver spare.

Numerous options include self-levelling air suspension, 'Merino' leather upholstery, active seat ventilation and massage functions, thermo-adjustable cupholders, LED-illuminated ‘sky lounge’ panoramic glass sunroof and Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound to name a few.

Our test vehicle has a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo petrol V8 engine that produces 373kW and 770Nm. That means it sits in the middle of its rivals in terms of outputs with the Mercedes being top-dog with its 450kW/850Nm combo.

Still... the SQ8 is no dainty flower when it comes to power delivery and has an impressive 0-100km/h sprint time of just 4.1 seconds. 

The SQ8 is a full-time all-wheel drive with an eight-speed auto transmission and the whole engine combo delivers a powerful but elegant on-road experience.

The X5 xDrive40i is powered by BMW’s legendary 3.0-litre DOHC 24-valve in-line six with state-of-the-art technology.

This includes twin-scroll turbocharging, variable valve/camshaft timing and 48-volt mild hybrid technology (delivering up to 9.0kW and 200Nm) using an electric motor integrated with the transmission.

The combined effect is optimised power and throttle response (0-100km/h in 5.4 secs) with minimal fuel consumption and Euro 6d emissions.

It produces 280kW between 5200-6250rpm and 520Nm of torque (this can reach 540Nm with hybrid input) across a remarkably wide and flat peak torque band between 1850-5000rpm, which showcases its flexibility. There’s also auto start-stop and selectable drive modes.

This is paired with BMW’s smooth and sharp-shifting eight-speed torque converter automatic, which combines the best characteristics of a dual-clutch and traditional torque converter transmission.

There’s overdrive on the seventh and eighth gears to optimise fuel economy and the choice of rapid manual-shifting using the steering wheel paddles.

Power reaches its wide tyres through the xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system, which actively varies the engine’s torque distribution between the front and rear wheels to optimise traction at all times.

BMW’s ‘Efficient Dynamics’ also includes brake energy regeneration with recuperation display and many other standard features to enhance driving safety and efficiency.

The official combined (urban/extra-urban) fuel cycle figure is 11.9L/100km, which is lower than its rivals.

My real world usage sits at 12.3L/100km after a mix of open-road and urban driving.

This result is decent for a performance SUV but expect it to be thirsty in an urban environment as the on-board gauge hit the mid-20s in the city.

Based on the large 85L fuel tank theoretical driving range is 714km and around 690 using our real-world result. Respectable for a performance SUV but not as good as some family SUVs.

BMW claims combined average (WLTP) fuel consumption of 9.9-8.5L/100km. Our 415km test comprised a mix of suburban and highway driving and when we stopped to refuel the dash display was showing 10.2L/100km which was line-ball with our own 10.6L/100km figure, calculated from fuel bowser and tripmeter readings.

So, based on our figures, you could expect a realistic driving range of around 780km from its 83-litre tank using standard 91-octane petrol.

The SQ8 delivers on power because it’s effortless to get up to speed and the pick up is super responsive when the start/stop function is turned off (otherwise there can be some lag).

The engine doesn’t sound like a big and grumbly V8, though. There are some growls but it’s mainly when you turn the engine on and not to be obnoxious about it but if you're in a V8, you want to hear it as it’s part of the fun of having a big bruiser engine like this!

What doesn’t help the V8 soundscape is the fact the cabin sounds like a noise-cancelling headphone inside. There is a small hum from road noise but it’s pretty darn quiet. Almost EV quiet at times but that means the driving experience leans more towards refined and elegant rather than sporty and fun. 

The SQ8's handling is great - super direct steering, stable in corners and well-rounded passenger comfort when it comes to suspension.

You still get road feedback, which I like as a driver, but it’s not too stiff thanks to the adaptive suspension.

The SQ8 is a large car but you wouldn’t know it when it comes to parking. The 360-degree view camera is clear and the dynamic guidelines help you to position this big unit even the smallest of car parks.

It’s supremely comfortable, with front bucket seats that offer powered-adjustment of height, reach and backrest angle along with side bolsters that can tighten their grip of your upper torso.

There’s also two-way lumbar support, that adjusts not only how far it pushes your spine forward but also allows that pressure point to be raised or lowered.

Combined with its power-adjustable leather-rimmed steering wheel, it would be hard not to find a comfortable driving position.

Eyelines to all mirrors are good and over-shoulder blind-spots are minimal. Front and rear occupants can talk without raised voices thanks to low engine, wind and tyre noise at highway speeds.

As you’d expect, it has high build quality and a tangibly solid feel as though it was machined from a single block of steel, from the satisfying thuds of its closing doors to the absence of shudders or rattles on a variety of roads.

It also has two personalities, which can be switched in an instant. In 'Comfort' mode it will happily cruise around city and suburbs as a mild-mannered family car, fulfilling daily duties like work commutes, school drop-offs and pick-ups, supermarket shopping and the like.

However, flick the drive mode to 'Sport Plus' and you awaken, well, if not ‘the ultimate driving machine’ then something close.

Its optimised drivetrain and handling settings feel more like a sports sedan than a family car, which can turn any winding mountain road into an engaging experience.

It has impressive reserves of cornering grip and braking force, combined with sparkling engine response and fast sequential manual-shifting at your fingertips.

It feels impressively agile, with all-round response that belies its 2.0-tonne-plus kerb weight, backed by a symphony of sounds from its sublime in-line six.

Five-star ANCAP (awarded in 2018) includes front and side airbags for driver and front passenger, plus head airbags for front and rear seats.

The comprehensive 'Driver Assistant Professional' active safety menu includes AEB (city, interurban and vulnerable road user) and a multitude of others.

It also has 'Parking Assist Professional' and for young families there are ISOFIX child seat anchorages on the two outer rear seating positions and top-tethers for all three.

The SQ8 comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is a normal term for the class.

It also comes with capped servicing for five years or up to 75,000km and averages $920 per service, which is very good for the segment.

Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12-months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

BMW covers the X5 with a five year/unlimited km warranty and offers several service plans to suit different budgets and requirements.

For example, the 'Service Inclusive Basic' package covers all scheduled services over five years/80,000km for a total of $3450, or an average of $690 per year.