2025 Audi SQ7 vs 2026 BMW X5 M

$90,800 · Crossover

$129,700 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When choosing a high-performance luxury crossover, the common dilemma is balancing explosive power against financial sensibility. The 2025 Audi SQ7, starting at $90,800, offers a compelling performance package with 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, though its 17 combined MPG is quite thirsty. On the other end, the 2026 BMW X5 M demands a significant premium at $129,700, but rewards buyers with a massive 617 hp output. While the Audi is slightly longer at 199.6 inches, the BMW offers nearly double the base cargo capacity at 33.9 cu ft compared to the SQ7's 14.2 cu ft. The $38,900 price gap is the single biggest hurdle, forcing buyers to weigh the X5 M's extra 117 horsepower against the SQ7's much more digestible initial cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi SQ7

The Audi SQ7, while still inefficient, is slightly smaller and cheaper upfront, making the daily burden marginally lighter.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 BMW X5 M

The BMW X5 M offers substantially more usable storage with 33.9 cu ft of cargo space versus the SQ7's 14.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 BMW X5 M

The BMW X5 M clearly wins on outright performance metrics, boasting 617 hp compared to the Audi's 500 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi SQ7

The Audi SQ7 presents an excellent performance-to-price ratio, undercutting the BMW by nearly $39,000.

Choose the Audi SQ7 if...

Your budget ceiling is near the $90,000 mark, as the SQ7 MSRP starts significantly lower at $90,800.
You prefer slightly more length on the road, as the SQ7 measures 199.6 inches long.
You value peak torque figures, as the SQ7 leads with 568 lb-ft to the X5 M's 553 lb-ft.

Choose the BMW X5 M if...

You must have the highest horsepower available, evidenced by the X5 M's 617 hp output.
Maximum cargo hauling is essential, given the X5 M offers 33.9 cu ft compared to the SQ7's 14.2 cu ft.
You can absorb the $38,900 higher starting price for the prestige and performance boost.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi SQ7	BMW X5 M
Length	199.6"	194.8"
Width	77.6"	79.3"
Height	68.5"	69.4"
Wheelbase	118.0"	117.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	BMW
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Integrated Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	BMW
Base Engine Displacement	4.0 L	4.4 L
Number of Cylinders	V8	V8
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	500 hp	617 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	568 lb-ft	553 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Number of Valves	32	32
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	BMW
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Audi	BMW
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	15/21 MPG	—
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	—
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	337.5/472.5 mi.	0/0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	22.5 gal.	21.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	BMW
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	755W	464W
Speaker System	19	16
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	12 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Harman/Kardon
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	BMW
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	40.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	39.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	61.4 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	14-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	14-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Premium Leather	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	—	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	2

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	60.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Power Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	21 in	22 x 11.5 in.
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	✓	315/30R
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Audi	BMW
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	BMW
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi SQ7 and 2026 BMW X5 M.

How much more expensive is the 2026 BMW X5 M than the 2025 Audi SQ7?

The 2026 BMW X5 M has a significantly higher MSRP of $129,700 compared to the 2025 Audi SQ7's starting price of $90,800. This results in a notable $38,900 difference in initial investment.

Is the BMW X5 M much more powerful than the Audi SQ7?

Yes, the power difference is substantial. The X5 M delivers 617 hp, which is 117 horsepower more than the Audi SQ7's 500 hp output. Both require premium unleaded fuel for their performance engines.

Which SUV offers better utility for hauling gear?

The 2026 BMW X5 M is the superior choice for cargo, providing 33.9 cu ft of space. The 2025 Audi SQ7 is significantly more limited, offering only 14.2 cu ft of cargo capacity.

Are either of these vehicles fuel-efficient for daily driving?

Neither vehicle excels in efficiency, as both demand premium fuel. The Audi SQ7 posts a combined 17 MPG (15 city/21 highway), which is slightly better than the overall fuel economy indicated for the higher-powered X5 M.

How do the dimensions compare between the two all-wheel-drive crossovers?

The Audi SQ7 is slightly longer at 199.6 inches, but the BMW X5 M is notably wider at 79.3 inches compared to the SQ7's 77.6 inches. Both utilize 8-speed shiftable automatic transmissions.

If I prioritize torque, which one should I consider?

For maximum low-end pull, the 2025 Audi SQ7 has a slight edge, producing 568 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 BMW X5 M is very close behind with 553 lb-ft of torque.