Compare the2025 BMW X6 MVS 2025 Audi SQ5

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 X6 M are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The BMW X6 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X6 M has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The SQ5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X6 M achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi SQ5 has not been tested.

Both the X6 M and the SQ5 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 X6 M weighs 1166 pounds more than the Audi SQ5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X6 M 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 SQ5.

There are over 14 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X6 M’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 With 85 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

The X6 M’s 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid produces 268 more horsepower (617 vs. 349) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The X6 M has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X6 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

For better traction, the X6 M has larger tires than the SQ5 (F:295/35R21 & R:315/30R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The X6 M’s 295/35R21 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The X6 M’s tires are lower profile than the SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X6 M has standard 21-inch front and 22-inch rear wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the SQ5. The SQ5’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The X6 M 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 SQ5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X6 M uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the SQ5, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The X6 M 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 SQ5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X6 M’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer than on the SQ5 (117 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X6 M is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the SQ5.

The X6 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.6% to 48.4%) than the SQ5’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the X6 M more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the X6 M has a greater minimum ground clearance than the SQ5 (8.4 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the X6 M to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X6 M has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the SQ5.

The X6 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 with its rear seat up (27.4 vs. 25.9 cubic feet). The X6 M has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 with its rear seat folded (59.6 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The X6 M’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The SQ5’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X6 M’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5.

The SQ5’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The X6 M’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.

The BMW X6 M has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the SQ5.

The X6 M offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X6 M has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the SQ5.

The X6 M’s Parking Assistant Professional can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The SQ5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.