Audi Q7 vs BMW X5: seven seats or sharper drive?
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Audi · 2015
Q7 4M
- Power
- 210 kW286 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- —
BMW · 2018–2026
X5 G05
- Power
- 195 kW265 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 6.5 s
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
- City X5 G05 Length: 4,935 mm vs 5,050 mm
Verdict Opinion
The Q7 is the better seven-seater. Its extra length gives a usable third row and a boot that stays large with five seats, which is what most large families need.
The X5 is the broader range. It has had more plug-in versions, the 460 kW X5 M Competition at the top and, with the G65, a fully electric version, while the Audi's new generation was only just revealed in 2026.
— Felix Hartmann
The BMW X5 was BMW's first SUV when it appeared in 1999, and it is built mainly in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Audi Q7 arrived six years later: it was shown at the Frankfurt show in September 2005, went into production in Bratislava that November, and was Audi's first SUV too.
The two have been measured against each other ever since, but they started from different ideas. Audi offered the Q7 with two or three seat rows from the start. BMW's first X5 was a five-seater, and a third row arrived only with the second generation in 2006.
Audi Q7 vs BMW X5: size, seats, engines and generations
Generations side by side
The Q7 has had two generations so far: the 4L (2005–2015) on the PL71 platform shared with the Touareg and the Cayenne, and the 4M of 2015, up to 325 kg lighter. Audi revealed the third Q7 on 9 June 2026. The X5 has gone through five: E53, E70, F15, G05 and the G65 presented in June 2026, which adds a fully electric iX5.
Length, seats and luggage
The Q7 4M is the bigger car: 5,050 mm long and 1,970 mm wide, against 4,935 mm for the X5 G05 on its 2,975 mm wheelbase. That 115 mm shows in the boot. The Audi holds 890 litres with five seats in use, 2,075 litres with the rear seats folded and about 295 litres with all seven seats up; BMW quotes 645 litres for the G05 with five seats. Our size comparison tool puts both bodies side by side. Both now offer a third row, the X5 since 2019 in the G05.
Diesels and petrol engines
The core versions are close. The Q7 4M lists the 45 TDI with 170 kW and the 50 TDI with 210 kW; the X5 G05 xDrive30d has 195 kW and 620 Nm, and the six-cylinder M50d 294 kW. The first Q7 also offered a 6.0 V12 TDI whose 1,000 Nm and 368 kW (500 PS) put it among the most powerful diesel SUVs ever built. BMW answered at the top with petrol power: the G05 X5 M Competition has 460 kW (625 PS), against 373 kW for the most powerful SQ7.
Plug-in hybrids
The F15 xDrive40e was the first plug-in X5, with a 9 kWh battery; the G05 xDrive45e of 2019 had 290 kW and 24 kWh. The 2023 xDrive50e has 360 kW (490 PS) with about 64 km of electric range on the American rating. Audi's 4M generation offered the Q7 e-tron and later the 60 TFSI e quattro with 335 kW. For the G65 BMW adds a 50e with a 26.5 kWh usable battery and the iX5 with 425 kW and 144 kWh.
Prices and safety
BMW's German price list of June 2018 opened the G05 range at €69,200 with the xDrive30d. Euro NCAP gave the G05 five stars in 2018, with 89 % for adult occupant protection; the first Q7 had received four stars in 2006.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Q7 4M | X5 G05 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,050 mm198.8 in † | 4,935 mm194.3 in −115 mm −4.5 in −2.3% |
| Width | 1,970 mm77.6 in † | 2,004 mm78.9 in +34 mm +1.3 in +1.7% |
| Height | 1,741 mm68.5 in † | 1,765 mm69.5 in +24 mm +0.9 in +1.4% |
| Wheelbase | 2,994 mm117.9 in † | 2,975 mm117.1 in −19 mm −0.7 in −0.6% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too long and too wide | Too wide |
Difference vs Q7 4M (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Audi Q7 | BMW X5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 50 TDI · diesel · 210 kW (286 PS) | X5 G05 · xDrive30d · diesel · 195 kW (265 PS) |
| Production years | 2015 | 2018–2026 |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | No data |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 210 kW (286 PS) 282 hp Better | 195 kW (265 PS) 261 hp |
| Power, all versions | 160–373 kW (218–507 PS) 215–500 hp | 135–460 kW (184–625 PS) 181–617 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | No data | 620 Nm 457 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | No data | 6.5 s |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Diesel | Diesel |
| Engine | No data | 3,000 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l |
| Engine code | No data | B57 |
| Gearbox | No data | automatic |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 5,050 mm 198.8 in † | 4,935 mm 194.3 in |
| Width | 1,970 mm 77.6 in † | 2,004 mm 78.9 in |
| Height | 1,741 mm 68.5 in † | 1,765 mm 69.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,994 mm 117.9 in † | 2,975 mm 117.1 in |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 890 l 31.4 cu ft † | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2018) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Country, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
† from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Audi Q7 has more power: 210 kW (286 PS) against 195 kW (265 PS) for BMW X5. Audi Q7 is 115 mm longer than BMW X5 (5,050 mm vs 4,935 mm). BMW X5 is the older design (from 1999); Audi Q7 arrived in 2005. On the catalog figures, the BMW X5 is the pick for city. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Audi Q7 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Q7 if you regularly carry six or seven people or need a very large boot behind the second row.
Choose the X5 if you drive mostly with four or five on board, want a plug-in hybrid with real electric range or the fastest version of the two.
Used buyers should treat V8 and V12 diesels with care; a six-cylinder diesel from the 4M or G05 generation is the sensible high-mileage choice in either brand.
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, the Audi Q7 or the BMW X5?
The Q7 4M, at 5,050 mm, is 115 mm longer than the X5 G05, and its five-seat boot holds 890 litres against 645 litres.
Can the BMW X5 seat seven?
A third row has been optional on the E70 from 2006 and on the G05 since 2019. The first X5 had five seats only.
Which has the most powerful version?
BMW's X5 M Competition, rated at 460 kW (625 PS). The strongest Q7 versions are the SQ7 with up to 373 kW and the 4L's V12 TDI with 368 kW and 1,000 Nm.
Is there an electric X5 or Q7?
BMW presented the battery-electric iX5 with the G65 generation in 2026. Audi offers plug-in hybrids in the Q7, not a fully electric version.