Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2017 Audi Q7 VS 2016 BMW X5 Near Phoenix, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q7 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Q7 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q7 offers an optional backup collision prevention system which use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The X5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q7. But it costs extra on the X5.

To help make backing safer, the Q7 Premium Plus/Prestige’s cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X5 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q7 and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, front and rear parking sensors, available night vision systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q7 its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2016, a rating granted to only 77 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X5 has not been fully tested, yet.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Q7’s reliability will be 19% better than the X5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Audi 14th in reliability, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 18th.

The Q7’s 3.0 supercharged V6 produces 33 more horsepower (333 vs. 300) and 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (325 vs. 300) than the X5 s/xDrive35i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Audi Q7 is faster than the X5 s/xDrive35i:

On the EPA test cycle the Q7 3.0T gets better fuel mileage than the X5 xDrive35i (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

For better stopping power the Q7’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the X5:

The Q7 stops much shorter than the X5:

For better traction, the Q7’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X5 (285/45R20 vs. 275/40R20).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the Q7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the X5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q7’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the X5 (117.9 inches vs. 115.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q7 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the X5.

The Q7 Prestige handles at .85 G’s, while the X5 xDrive35i xDrive pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Q7’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the X5’s (40.7 feet vs. 41.7 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Q7 Prestige is quieter than the X5 xDrive35i xDrive (70 vs. 73 dB).

The Q7 has 1.3 inches more front legroom and 2.2 inches more rear legroom than the X5.

The Q7’s cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the Q7’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The X5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Q7’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q7 Premium Plus/Prestige’s cargo door can be opened just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The X5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its cargo door, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Q7 has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X5 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

A manual rear sunshade is optional in the Q7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X5 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q7, based on reliability, safety and performance. The BMW X5 isn't recommended.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its March 2016 issue and they ranked the Audi Q7 Prestige first. They ranked the BMW X5 xDrive35i xDrive fourth.