Audi Q5 vs BMW X3: the 2024 generations compared
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Audi · 2024–present
Q5 GU
- Power
- 150 kW204 PS
- Kerb mass
- 2,092 kg
BMW · 2024–present
X3 G45
- Power
- 145 kW197 PS
- Kerb mass
- —
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
On engines the Q5 has the edge in the middle of the range. Its diesel is 5 kW stronger and its 2.0 TFSI is far ahead of the 20 xDrive. The e-hybrid also carries the bigger battery and promises the longer electric range.
The X3 answers at the top and in the details. The M50 is the most powerful model of the pair. Its dimensions and folded-seat load space are fully documented, and the 30e plug-in is already on sale with 90 km of claimed range.
— Felix Hartmann
Audi and BMW renewed their mid-size SUVs within three months of each other. BMW unveiled the fourth-generation X3 (G45) on 19 June 2024, built in Spartanburg in the United States and Rosslyn in South Africa. Audi followed on 2 September 2024 with the third-generation Q5. It is built in San José Chiapa, Mexico, on the new Premium Platform Combustion it shares with the A5, and the Q5 Sportback joined in November 2024.
In short: the two are closely matched on power. The Q5 has the stronger diesel and the plug-in hybrid with the longer electric range; the X3 has the more powerful top version and a well-documented body size. Both ranges are in our catalogue: Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Audi Q5 vs BMW X3: engines, size and range
Diesels: 150 kW against 145 kW
The Q5 2.0 TDI quattro delivers 150 kW (204 PS). The X3 20d xDrive has 145 kW (197 PS) and 400 Nm, and BMW quotes 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h. All-wheel drive is standard on both diesels. Every new Q5 has Audi's 48-volt MHEV plus system, which adds 18 kW and 230 Nm from an electric motor; the X3's four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are mild hybrids too.
Petrol engines
Audi's 2.0 TFSI makes 200 kW (272 PS), clearly more than the X3 20 xDrive with 153 kW system output, 330 Nm and 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h. At the top, the SQ5 uses a 3.0 V6 TFSI with 270 kW (367 PS). The X3 M50 xDrive has a 3.0-litre straight-six with 293 kW, detuned to 280 kW in Europe, and 580 Nm; BMW quotes 4.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h.
Plug-in hybrids
The X3 30e xDrive combines its 2.0-litre engine with a 135 kW electric motor for 220 kW and 450 Nm, and reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Its 19.7 kWh of usable energy is enough for a claimed 90 km on the WLTP cycle. Charging at 11 kW from empty takes 2 hours 15 minutes. Audi revealed the Q5 e-hybrid in June 2025 with a 25.9 kWh battery, 20.7 kWh usable, in two outputs of about 220 and 270 kW, and around 100 km of WLTP range.
Size and boot
The X3 G45 is 4,755 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall on a 2,865 mm wheelbase. With the rear seats folded BMW quotes up to 1,700 litres, or 1,600 litres for the 30e, whose battery sits over the rear axle. The new Q5's exterior dimensions are not yet in our catalogue; the long-wheelbase Q5L built for China measures 4,842 mm on a 2,945 mm wheelbase.
No electric X3
BMW gave the electric iX3 its own Neue Klasse platform, so there is no battery-electric G45.
Euro NCAP
The X3 20 xDrive was tested in 2025: 88% for adult occupants, 84% for children, 77% for vulnerable road users and 80% for safety assist.
Full specifications
| Audi Q5 | BMW X3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Q5 GU · 2.0 TDI quattro · diesel · 150 kW (204 PS) | X3 G45 · 20d xDrive (48V) · diesel · 145 kW (197 PS) |
| Production years | 2024–present | 2024–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | No data | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 150 kW (204 PS) 201 hp Better | 145 kW (197 PS) 194 hp |
| Power, all versions | 150–270 kW (204–367 PS) 201–362 hp | 105–293 kW (143–398 PS) 141–393 hp |
| Power per tonne | 72 kW/t 87 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | No data | 1,995 cc · 4 cyl 2.0 l |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | No data | 4,755 mm 187.2 in |
| Width | No data | 1,920 mm 75.6 in |
| Height | No data | 1,660 mm 65.4 in |
| Wheelbase | No data | 2,865 mm 112.8 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,092 kg 4,612 lb | No data |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 6.3 l/100 km 37.3 mpg US | No data |
| CO₂ | 164 g/km | No data |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,560/year estimated | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2025) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (6): Production years, Body, Country, Fuel, Drive, Euro NCAP.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.65/l diesel.
In plain words
Audi Q5 has more power: 150 kW (204 PS) against 145 kW (197 PS) for BMW X3. BMW X3 is the older design (from 2003); Audi Q5 arrived in 2008. Our catalog has no kerb mass for the BMW X3 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Audi Q5 if you want the stronger diesel or petrol four-cylinder, a Sportback body, or a plug-in hybrid with about 100 km of electric range.
Choose the BMW X3 if you want the 280–293 kW M50 straight-six, up to 1,700 litres of load space with the seats folded, or the established 30e plug-in.
The X3 also meets two rivals in BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 vs Volvo XC60; Audi's SUV meets the Volvo in Audi Q5 vs Volvo XC60.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more powerful, the Q5 or the X3?
It depends on the version. The Q5 2.0 TDI (150 kW) beats the X3 20d (145 kW), and the 2.0 TFSI (200 kW) beats the 20 xDrive (153 kW). At the top, the X3 M50 has 280 kW in Europe against 270 kW for the SQ5.
Which plug-in hybrid has the longer electric range?
Audi quotes around 100 km (WLTP) for the Q5 e-hybrid with 20.7 kWh usable; BMW quotes 90 km for the X3 30e with 19.7 kWh.
Is there an electric BMW X3?
Not in the G45 generation. The electric iX3 is a separate model on BMW's Neue Klasse platform.
How long is the new X3?
4,755 mm, on a 2,865 mm wheelbase, with a width of 1,920 mm and a height of 1,660 mm.