Audi
Q7
BMW
X5
Audi Q7 vs BMW X5: 2024 Comparison
The short answer
The Audi Q7 offers fuel economy, while the BMW X5 excels at power instead. Choose the Audi Q7 if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the BMW X5 if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
Q7
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. Long-term owners of the 2015-2018 generation (particularly with the 3.0L supercharged V6 or TDI engines) report high satisfaction, praising solid reliability, excellent performance and handling, and a high-quality, comfortable interior. This generation is frequently described as a "great car" and "infallible" with proper maintenance.
Best version to buy
For the 2015-2018 generation, the 3.0L supercharged V6 gasoline engine is highly recommended for its balance of power and reported reliability. The 3.0L TDI is also praised for its torque and efficiency.
Known issues
- ⚠High maintenance and repair costs: very frequent. Excessive oil consumption in later models (e.g., 1 quart every 1,500 miles considered "normal" by manufacturer): recurrent.
X5
Overall
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific generation, powertrain, and ownership approach. For the current G05 generation (2019+), the inline-six (B58) powertrain is very frequently praised for its performance and noted reliability, with some owners calling it "super reliable" and "the best inline 6 in the world." The driving experience is consistently highlighted as a major strength, described as "performance oriented" with superior ride, handling, and road feel compared to key competitors. However, significant criticism is directed at the plug-in hybrid variant (50e), with one detailed owner report citing a "terrible" experience involving multiple, repeated drivetrain failures and extensive dealership visits.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available to declare a single "best" version. Strong, recurrent praise is directed at models equipped with the B58 inline-six engine (e.g., xDrive40i), which is lauded for its reliability and performance.
Known issues
- ⚠. For long-term ownership (5-10 years), setting aside a significant fund for maintenance and repairs is considered mandatory. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is critical, especially for older or high-mileage examples.
The verdict
The Audi Q7 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has better fuel economy on its best-equipped version than the BMW X5, based on the data above. If power matters more to you than running costs, the BMW X5 is worth a closer look instead.
Explore further
Other comparisons
Not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few questions and get a personalized recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5?
Owner reports show similar reliability sentiment for the Audi Q7 and the BMW X5. Check the known issues listed above for specific differences between the two.
Which is better for families, the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Audi Q7 is classed as a SUV, the BMW X5 as a SAV, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5?
The Audi Q7 is more fuel-efficient on paper: 11.3 L/100km combined versus 11.5-12.5 L/100km for the BMW X5, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.