2020 Audi Q5 vs BMW X5
What's the difference?

Audi Q5

$21,990 - $49,969

2020 price

View pricing & specs

BMW X5

$34,990 - $114,000

2020 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2020 Audi Q5

2020 BMW X5

By James Cleary

By Justin Hilliard

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo V8, 4.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.1L/100km (combined)

12.5L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Equipment
Quality
Safety

Aggressive styling
Genuine practicality
Ferocious performance

Dislikes

Thirst
Warranty
Slightly less boot space than competitors

Half-baked exhaust system
Far from fuel-efficient
Substandard warranty

2020 Audi Q5 Summary

In 2019, from a range boasting more than a dozen different models, the mid-size luxury Q5 SUV was Audi Australia’s best seller.

Right-sized for the city, yet large enough for the highway, its appeal is partially underpinned by a premium, but not over-the-top price list stretching from around $65,000 to just over $90K.

We spent a week behind the wheel of the second-from-the-top 45 TFSI Sport to see if this Q5’s Vorsprung and Durch match its Technik.

View full pricing & specs

2020 BMW X5 Summary

Way back in 2009, the X5 was the first SUV to get the go-fast treatment from BMW’s high-performance M division. At the time, it was a crazy thought, but in 2020, it’s easy to see why Munich went down the (then) road less travelled.

Now in its third generation, the X5 M is better than ever, partly thanks to BMW Australia’s insistence on forgoing its ‘regular’ variant for the piping-hot Competition version.

But just exactly how good is the X5 M Competition? We had the unenviable task of putting it to test to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2020 Audi Q5 2020 BMW X5

Verdict

The Audi Q5 is a rapid, comfortable, and space-efficient five-seat SUV. It has the safety and standard specification to match it with the big guns in this part of the market, delivered in a handsome, precisely executed package. Better fuel economy and a longer warranty would make a good thing even better.

Verdict

After spending a day with the BMW X5 M Competition, we can’t help but wonder if it’s the ultimate vehicle for families.

On one hand, it nails the practicality brief and is loaded with standard equipment, including the key advanced driver-assist systems. On the other, its performance in a straight line and around corners is otherworldly. Oh, and it looks sporty and feels luxurious, too.

That said, we could absolutely live with the high fuel bill if this was our daily driver, but there’s only one problem: does anyone have a spare $250,000?

Is the new BMW X5 M Competition the ultimate family vehicle? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

2020 Audi Q5 vs BMW X5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

2020 Audi Q5 vs BMW X5
What's the difference?