Audi Q5 vs. BMW X3
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3.
In comparing the Audi Q5's and the BMW X3's specifications and ratings, the Audi Q5 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and reliability. The BMW X3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi Q5's and the BMW X3's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 is a better car than the Audi Q5.
Pricing: For a new model, the Audi Q5's price is between $49,539 and $64,250, with the BMW X3 priced between $54,175 and $73,916.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi Q5 loses 58 percent of its value and the BMW X3 loses 53.9 percent of its value. This means the BMW X3 retains 4.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi Q5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi Q5 is 8.1 out of 10 while the BMW X3's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Audi Q5 being ranked 4 out of 28 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the BMW X3 being ranked 2 out of 28. Out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs, the Audi Q5 is ranked 9 and the BMW X3 is ranked 6.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi Q5 is 7.9 out of 10. For the BMW X3 the reliability rating is 7.7 out of 10. This gives the Audi Q5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW X3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi Q5’s base engine makes 201 horsepower, and the BMW X3 base engine makes 255 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Audi Q5 has higher safety ratings than the BMW X3, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.90 out of 5 Stars.
Overview
While the BMW X3 is widely considered the driver’s choice, thanks in no small part to the top-spec X3 M, those who emphasize aesthetics are likely to prefer the Audi Q5, with its sleeker exterior design and more stylish interior. Both models offer 4- and 6-cylinder engines, yet the Q5 comes standard with all-wheel drive, whereas it’s an extra-cost option on the X3. Audi also offers a full plug-in hybrid version of the Q5, whereas a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup has replaced the optional plug-in design on the X3. Both manufacturers equip their SUVs with a healthy list of advanced driver assistance systems, but more of them come standard on the Q5. As for infotainment, the X3’s standard touchscreen is more than two inches larger than the Q5’s, while BMW’s iDrive system remains a challenge for some users. The X3 comes with three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, something Audi does not offer on the Q5.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
49539 - 64250
Starting MSRP:
45400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
49635
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
23800 - 79100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
54175 - 73916
Starting MSRP:
50900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
47438
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
24600 - 63100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
48829
Price Range:
41698 - 56991
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
51781
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
25863 - 81247
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
59368
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
57126 - 63354
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
26449
Depreciation %:
0.58257299
Resale Value $:
18951
Residual Value %:
0.41742701000000004
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.53712559
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.38326835 - 0.59140478
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
27574
Depreciation %:
0.5417354
Resale Value $:
23326
Residual Value %:
0.4582646
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.5347415
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.44440421 - 0.60245917
Audi Q5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
9.9 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi Q5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
14.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
14.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.0 - 16.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.093
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.0
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
15.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.0 - 16.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.065
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.047113268927383
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 54.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Audi Q5 Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
11 out of / 28Ranking
11 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 64Ranking
24 out of / 28Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
28 out of / 68Ranking
29 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
40 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 68BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
7 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 64Ranking
35 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi Q5 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 40 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus TFSI, quattro Premium TFSI, quattro Prestige 40 TFSI, quattro Prestige TFSI, quattro S line Prem Plus 45 TFSI, quattro S line Premium 45 TFSI, quattro S line Prestige 45 TFSI
BMW X3 Trim Levels
30 xDrive, M50 xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.90 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
201 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 537 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
25.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
31.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
67.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4079 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
65.5 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4176 lbs
Width:
83.9 inches
Height:
65.4 inches
Length:
187.2 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Manhattan Gray Metallic
Green
District Green Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Arctic Race Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Dune Grey Metallic / Frozen Deep Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Red
Vegas Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Atlas Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Rock Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Calm Beige
Black
Black / Black/Atlas Grey
Brown
Amber/Atlas Grey / Espresso Brown
Gray
Not available
