2025 Audi SQ8 vs 2025 BMW ALPINA XB7

$97,600 · Crossover

$152,400 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Audi SQ8 sprints onto the scene with a muscular 500 hp and an accessible $97,600 price tag, offering an incredible balance of performance and luxury SUV utility. Contrast this with the absolutely ferocious 2025 BMW ALPINA XB7, a behemoth boasting an astonishing 631 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, albeit at a substantial $152,400 premium—a $54,800 chasm between these two performance crossovers. While both deliver a shared 17 MPG combined fuel economy, the XB7 dedicates more physical real estate to its passengers, offering a cavernous 48.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the SQ8's 33.7 cu ft. The battle here is truly between potent efficiency in packaging (SQ8) and uncompromising, towering power (XB7), with the 131 hp differential serving as the most significant performance metric separating these all-wheel-drive machines.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi SQ8

The Audi SQ8 offers substantial daily drivability and nearly identical 17 MPG combined efficiency for significantly lower ownership entry cost.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 BMW ALPINA XB7

The BMW ALPINA XB7 provides substantially more room with 48.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, easily accommodating family needs.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 BMW ALPINA XB7

The ALPINA XB7's massive 631 hp output delivers a thrill the SQ8's 500 hp simply cannot match, cementing its status as the ultimate performance choice.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi SQ8

The Audi SQ8 demands $54,800 less while still providing a potent 500 hp powertrain and standard all-wheel drive.

Choose the Audi SQ8 if...

Your budget is firmly under the $110,000 mark, as the MSRP is only $97,600.
You prefer a slightly more compact footprint, measuring 197.0 inches long.
You want strong performance (500 hp) without needing the absolute peak output of 631 hp.

Choose the BMW ALPINA XB7 if...

Absolute maximum power, including 631 hp, is your primary driving requirement.
You frequently haul cargo, utilizing the massive 48.6 cu ft capacity.
You are willing to pay the $54,800 premium for the added luxury and exclusivity offered by the ALPINA badge.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi SQ8	BMW ALPINA XB7
Length	197.0"	203.9"
Width	79.0"	78.3"
Height	67.0"	70.7"
Wheelbase	118.0"	122.2"

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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
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	—	✓
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	631 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	568 lb-ft	590 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	16/20 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	17 MPG	17 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	337.5/472.5 mi.	350.4/438.0 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 with Side Sensing	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear 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	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Climate Control Zones	—	5

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	BMW
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	14.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Brand Speakers	Bang & Olufsen	—
Stereo Power	730W	464W
Speaker System	17	16
Surround Audio	Discrete	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
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 (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓

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	37.1 in.	41.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.3 in.	39.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.5 in.	60.0 in.
Seat Material: Premium Leather	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-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
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	2
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Seat Massage Function	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	BMW
Rear Head Room	38.1 in.	39.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.2 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	58.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Heated Rear Seats	—	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	BMW
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	22 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	Performance
Tire Size	285/40R22	325/30R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	23 x 11.0 in

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 SQ8 and 2025 BMW ALPINA XB7.

What is the main performance gap between the 2025 Audi SQ8 and the 2025 BMW ALPINA XB7?

The primary distinction lies in raw power output; the XB7 delivers a commanding 631 horsepower, whereas the SQ8 produces a still-rapid 500 horsepower. This 131 hp difference means the XB7 will accelerate with significantly more violence when flooring the throttle.

How much more cargo space does the ALPINA XB7 offer over the Audi SQ8?

The ALPINA XB7 is the clear cargo champion, offering 48.6 cubic feet of space. This dwarfs the 33.7 cubic feet found in the Audi SQ8, making the BMW the more practical choice for large families or hauling gear.

Do these performance crossovers consume fuel at the same rate?

Surprisingly, they match nearly identically in EPA estimates, both achieving 17 MPG combined and requiring premium unleaded fuel. The SQ8 has a slight highway edge at 21 MPG compared to the XB7's 20 MPG highway.

How significant is the price difference for a buyer deciding between these two?

The price delta is vast: the 2025 BMW ALPINA XB7 starts at $152,400, making it $54,800 more expensive than the Audi SQ8's $97,600 MSRP. This major cost difference impacts everything from insurance to depreciation.

Which vehicle has the larger physical footprint?

The BMW ALPINA XB7 is physically larger overall, measuring 203.9 inches long compared to the SQ8's 197.0 inches, and it is also significantly taller at 70.7 inches versus the Audi's 67.0 inches.

Are the transmissions different between the SQ8 and the XB7?

Both utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with all-wheel drive. While the underlying architecture might be similar, the tuning and performance mapping executed by Audi and ALPINA will differ significantly to match their respective power levels.