Audi Q5 vs BMW X1

Audi Q5

The second-generation Q5 on the longitudinal MLB Evo platform.

VS

BMW X1

BMW’s first front-wheel-drive-based compact SUV.

First car

Second car

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi Q5	BMW X1
Power	245 hp Winner	192 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	280 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,3 s Winner	7,7 s
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	226 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t Winner	127,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	134 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	5,9 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	BMW X1
Boot	550 L Winner	505 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	1.550 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,67 m
Length	4,66 m	4,44 m
Width	1,89 m	1,82 m
Height	1,66 m	1,60 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	BMW X1
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4/A5)	UKL2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the Mini Countryman)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	B38/B48 petrol · B47 diesel
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	8-speed automatic · 6-speed manual
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q5

S tronic (DSG) needs maintenance on early cars
AdBlue/SCR issues on 2.0 TDI diesels
Early MMI infotainment quirks

BMW X1

EGR clogging on diesels
Engine mounts can wear early
Cooling system needs checking
Early timing-chain tensioners (B48/B47)

Pros

Audi Q5

Big boot (550 l) & roomy cabin
Refined, composed ride (quattro)
Efficient, torquey EA288 diesel

BMW X1

Sharp BMW handling
Proven B-series engines
Optional xDrive all-wheel drive

Cons

Audi Q5

Firm ride on S line / big wheels
Pricier than most rivals

BMW X1

Less roomy than the Q3/Tiguan
Front-wheel-drive base (the E84 was rear-wheel drive)

Compare specific generations

FY · 2016 – 2024 vs E84 · 2009 – 2015 Compare FY · 2016 – 2024 vs F48 · 2015 – 2022 Compare

Verdict

Pick this one if…

Audi Q5

Pick the Q5 for refinement, a big boot and quattro traction in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW X1

Pick the X1 for sharp BMW handling with a raised driving position and proven engines.

Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel) — powerful and refined.

Read the full guide

For sale at dealers

Audi Q5

7 for sale · from € 13.950

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 35 TDI · plug-in hybrid · LED · Leather · Tow bar

01/2020 129.000 km Plug-in hybrid 120 kW (163 hp) Euro 6d

Garage des Chaufours SRL

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 40 TFSI · plug-in hybrid · S line · Panoramic roof · 36…

01/2023 64.000 km Plug-in hybrid 150 kW (204 hp) Euro 6

Garage des Chaufours SRL

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 35TDi · Quattro · Panoramic roof · Camera · CarPlay

07/2022 35.000 km Diesel 120 kW (163 hp)

Audi Q5

Audi Q5 50TFSI · electric · Camera · CarPlay · LED · 100%SOH

05/2023 73.607 km Electric 220 kW (299 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

BMW X1

70 for sale · from € 6.990

BMW X1

BMW X1 xDrive25e · plug-in hybrid · Camera · LED · Head-up dis…

01/2022 103.539 km Plug-in hybrid 92 kW (125 hp) Euro 6d

Cornette Automotive BV

BMW X1

BMW X1 sDrive18d · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2024 45.651 km Diesel 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X1

BMW X1 Panoramic roof · Camera · Navigation

07/2020 60.000 km Petrol 103 kW (140 hp) Euro 6d

BMW X1

BMW X1 Camera · CarPlay · Navigation

06/2025 53.000 km Petrol 100 kW (136 hp) Euro 6e