Audi Q5 vs BMW iX3

Audi Q5

Audi’s mid-size premium SUV.

BMW iX3

BMW’s electric mid-size SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the Q5 for quattro, the 550-litre boot and the 40 TDI’s 400 Nm.

Best engine: The mid-range 2.0 TDI diesel for the best balance of economy and torque — or the 2.0 TFSI petrol.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW iX3

Pick the iX3 for a practical, refined electric SUV with familiar BMW dynamics and a mature real-world range.

Best engine: The iX3 (286 hp, rear-wheel drive).

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs iX3 · Electric

	Audi Q5	BMW iX3
Power	245 hp	286 hp Winner
Torque	370 Nm	400 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	6,3 s Winner	6,8 s
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	180 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t Winner	131,2 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	0 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	—

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	BMW iX3
Boot	550 L Winner	510 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	1.560 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,66 m	4,73 m
Width	1,89 m	1,89 m
Height	1,66 m	1,67 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	BMW iX3
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4/A5)	CLAR (based on the X3 G01, electric)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	Single electric motor (fifth-generation eDrive)
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Electric
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	Single-speed automatic (fixed ratio)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	N/A (electric)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Zero-emission — unrestricted access in all LEZ zones

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q5

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics are the best-known weak point
EA288 diesels: AdBlue/SCR needs attention with mainly short trips
Direct-injection petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips

BMW iX3

12V battery issues (occasional)
Parking-sensor or camera faults
Higher tyre wear due to weight and torque

Pros

Audi Q5

quattro standard
550-litre boot (1550 litres folded)
40 TDI has 400 Nm

BMW iX3

Practical, familiar X3 packaging with a 510 L boot
Proven single-motor drivetrain (less complexity)
Refined, quiet drive with familiar BMW character

Cons

Audi Q5

S tronic/tiptronic only — no manual gearbox
S line suspension rides firmly on large wheels

BMW iX3

No frunk and no all-wheel drive available
Firm ride on larger wheels and M Sport

Driving experience

Audi Q5

As a model line, the Q5 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Quattro gives reassuring, planted traction in all conditions. The 2.0 TDI is strong and frugal, the 2.0 TFSI is smooth, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.