Audi Q5 vs BMW X3

Audi Q5

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

VS

BMW X3

The third-generation X3 on the rear-drive CLAR platform.

First car

Second car

Performance

EA888 45 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi Q5	BMW X3
Power	245 hp Winner	184 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	290 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,3 s Winner	8,3 s
Top speed	237 km/h Winner	215 km/h
Power-to-weight	136,5 hp/t Winner	105,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	183 g/km	154 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	8,1 L/100km	6,8 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q5	BMW X3
Boot	550 L	550 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.550 L	1.600 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,82 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,66 m	4,71 m
Width	1,89 m	1,89 m
Height	1,66 m	1,68 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q5	BMW X3
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal, shared with the A4/A5)	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series)
Drive	All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	8-speed automatic (ZF)
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 X3

EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage

Pros

Audi Q5

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

BMW X3

Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
Strong, efficient B-series engines

Cons

Audi Q5

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

BMW X3

Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
Pricier than most rivals

Compare specific generations

FY · 2016 – 2024 vs G01 · 2017 – 2024 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 X3

Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The xDrive20d (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

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 X3

33 for sale · from € 6.950

BMW X3

BMW X3 sDrive18 · Keyless · Leather

08/2015 267.140 km Diesel 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6b

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive30e · electric · Camera · CarPlay · LED

11/2022 115.439 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive20I · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2025 21.756 km Petrol 153 kW (208 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X3

BMW X3 electric · M-Sport · 360° camera · CarPlay · LED

02/2026 13.785 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6e