Audi Q7 vs BMW X5 - The better buy

The popularity of sport utility vehicles is on an all-time high and the automotive industry is witnessing a shift in trend as more and more consumers are making a move to the SUV and crossover segment from premium and executive saloons. With carmakers working actively on revamping their portfolios while developing subscription services and revamping their lineup to feature more electrified models, in markets like the UAE there is a loyal customer base that still has a bias toward premium, full-size trucks, and these two nameplates are leading the charge in the segment- the Audi Q7 and BMW X5. These German luxury SUVs have recently received an update and both the carmakers are also working on developing their SUV portfolio even further. Here we are pitting the outgoing model of X5 against Audi’s flagship SUV.

Dimensions

Both of these SUVs boast imposing stances courtesy of their ginormous dimensions. A quick look through their proportional specifications, nothing out of the ordinary jumps off the page. It is when one takes a closer look at the 130 mm difference in length and 36 mm difference in width that the 245 liter margin in payload capacity starts to make sense. BMW X5 being a sport activity vehicle (as the Bavarian carmaker prefers to define it) obviously draws the shorter straw when it comes to offering most utility out of the two contenders.

Measurements	Audi Q7	BMW X5	Difference
Length	5052 mm	4922 mm	130 mm
Width	1968 mm	2004 mm	36 mm
Height	1741 mm	1745 mm	4 mm
Wheelbase	2994 mm	2975 mm	19 mm
Boot capacity	890 liters	645 liters	245 liters

Exterior

What BMW lacks in dimensions, it makes up for in equipment which is not just limited to the cabin. The highlight of the BMW X5 has to be the SAV’s Active Kidney Grille. The new grille is a much larger unit than as compared to its previous iterations. When the teaser images of BMW’s flagship SUV were released it was met with mixed reviews but following its launch, the response to SUV’s overall silhouette has been mostly positive. 

The Active feature offered on the large chrome grille at the front shuts and opens the slits in the grille as and when needed, depending on the temperature of the engine block and the SUV’s cruising speed which allows the air to slip off of X5’s body better making the SAV more aerodynamic.

The 2020 Audi Q7 also gets an updated design and the hexagonal grille at the front is a much larger and more sculpted unit. The most noticeable feature offered on the 2020 Audi Q7 has to be the matrix LED headlights which not only manage to illuminate the road really well at night but also bestows the SUV with a premium look.

The overall design of the Audi Q7 is much more understated than that of the BMW X5, still, Audi’s offering receives more attention thanks to its strong horizontal bodywork creases and longer dimensions that make the car look sportier than the Bavarian offering. However, the BMW X5 is the more aggressive-looking of the two thanks to its cold-blooded brow and heavy-set design.

Interior

The highlight of Q7’s interior has to be Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. Audi Q7 specs sheet features a fully-digital 12.3- inch display that sits behind a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. Other than relaying media and instrumentation information, this display also doubles as a navigation screen.  The display works in tandem with a 7- inch MMI screen that gets features like Bluetooth interface, CD player (MP3, WMA, ACC capable), 1 SDXC card reader, AUX-IN connection, Audi music interface, 2 USB ports, Voice control. A larger 8.3- inch MMI navigation plus with MMI touch display is also on offer.

The BMW X5 SAV gets the carmaker’s latest iDrive 7 interface which can be accessed by a 12.3 inch super responsive touchscreen infotainment display and sits right in the middle of the dashboard. BMW X5 also gets some of the most comfortable and supportive seats in the segment. These seats come wrapped in perforated leather much like those found in the Audi Q5 gets heating and cooling feature. The BMW X5 also gets a fully digital instrument display behind the steering wheel which also comes equipped with flappy paddle shifters. 

The Audi Q7 gets an optional Bang and Olufsen surround sound system whereas the X5 specs sheet comprises a Bower and Wilkins diamond surround sound system.

Engine

With its substantial dimensions, the Audi Q7 seems a tad underpowered but as compared to its rival X5, Audi’s offering manages to offer better fuel economy.

Specification	2020 Audi Q7		2020 BMW X5
Engine	2.0 liter 4- cylinder petrol TFSI	3.0 liter 6- cylinder petrol TFSI	3.0- liter, 6- cylinder petrol engine	4.4 liter 6- cylinder petrol engine
Transmission	8- speed Tiptronic	8- speed Tiptronic	8- speed automatic gearbox	8- speed automatic gearbox
Power	252 bhp	333 bhp	340 bhp	462 bhp
Torque	370 Nm	440 Nm	450 Nm	650 Nm
Claimed Fuel Economy	8.0 liters every 100 kilometers	8.1 liters every 100 kilometers	9.2 liters every 100 kilometers	11.6  liters every 100 kilometers

Safety

As expected of SUVs in this segment both the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 offer a wide range of safety and driver- assistance features. The BMW X5 however offers more safety features as standard. Some common safety and driver- assistance features include:

• Antilock Brake System (ABS) 
• Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) 
• Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) 
• Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)
• Start-stop system
• Airbags
• ISOFIX Child seat mounts

Price

The  Audi Q7 is available in 6 variants whereas the BMW X5 is only offered in five trims for now. Prices for both the nameplates are listed below.

Variant	Price	Variant	Price
Audi Q7 40 TFSI CS quattro	AED 268,000	BMW X5 40i Exclusive	AED 348,000
Audi Q7 40 TFSI Design quattro	AED 295,000	BMW X5 40i Exclusive (7 Seater)	AED 368,000
Audi Q7 2019 40 TFSI Sport quattro	AED 295,000	BMW X5 40i M Sport Exclusive	AED 388,000
Audi Q7 40 TFSI CS quattro	AED 337,900	BMW X5 50i xLine	AED 424,000
Audi Q7 40 TFSI Design quattro	AED 345,000	BMW X5 50i xLine Exclusive	AED 427,000
Audi Q7 2019 40 TFSI Sport quattro	AED345,000

Verdict

The Audi Q7 is available in more trim levels that the Bavarian offering and thanks to parts sharing under the Volkswagen group, the attractive SUV is also more competitively priced than the BMW X5. Audi Q7 also offers better fuel economy but there is no arguing that in terms of sheer performance the Beemer is leaps and bounds ahead of the Ingolstadt brand’s offering. So it is a matter of priority when it comes to picking the ultimate premium SUV that suits your needs.

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