Luxury SUV Showdown: Audi Q5 vs. BMW X3

The midsize crossover segment is the most densely populated in the automotive world, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular—they reliably deliver carlike handling and fuel economy while providing plenty of space and versatility, making them ideal for families.

But in a field with so many players, how does one pick their favorite?

We’ll go first: the 2024 Audi Q5. As the brand’s bestseller, it stands as the Audi SUV flagship, with all of the thrilling performance and excellent features you’d expect from a top-rated luxury SUV. We’d stack it up against any competitor, and to put it to the test, we’ve decided to put it head-to-head with another world-class SUV, the 2024 BMW X3. Let’s see who comes out on top.

Trims and Pricing

The BMW X3 has a fairly simple and straightforward selection, making it easy to navigate, but not offering much in the way of choice, as each trim is married to a specific powertrain. The Audi Q5, on the other hand, has three available powertrains across three different trims, allowing for much greater mixing and matching depending on buyer preference.

2024 BMW X3 Trims and Pricing:

$46,900

X3 xDrive30i

$48,900

X3 M40i

$61,900

X3 M

$75,500

2024 Audi Q5 Trims and Pricing:

Q5 Premium 40

$45,300

Q5 Premium 45

$48,200

Q5 Premium 55

$58,500

Q5 Premium Plus 40

$50,100

Q5 Premium Plus 45

$53,000

Q5 Premium Plus 55

$62,400

Q5 Prestige 40

$55,600

Q5 Prestige 45

$58,100

Q5 Prestige 55

$67,700

The Bottom Line

In addition to having many more trim options for the base model, there’s also a slickly styled Audi Q5 Sportback, and a performance-oriented Audi SQ5.

So, which is the best midsize luxury SUV for the money? Here are a few key takeaways:

• The Q5 Premium 40 has the best value overall.
• The X3 M has the highest price tag by a significant margin.
• The X3 M40i is more expensive than all but two Q5 trims.
  

Q5 trims tend to come with a more complete set of standard features, whereas the X3 requires buyers to spend more money on optional packages and add-ons, driving the price up even further. They may be luxury SUVs, but buyers still ought to expect to get plenty of bang for their buck, and the Audi Q5 makes it happen.

Available Powertrains and Performance

Both of these luxury crossovers can be fitted with multiple engine and drivetrain combos, each with its own perks and performance specs.

2024 BMW X3 Powertrains and Specs:

Power

Fuel Economy

X3 sDrive30i/xDrive30i

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

248 horsepower

258 pound-feet of torque

23 MPG city

29 MPG highway

X3 M40i

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

382 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

21 MPG city

26 MPG highway

X3 M

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

473 horsepower

457 pound-feet of torque

15 MPG city

20 MPG highway

2024 Audi Q5 Powertrains and Specs:

Power

Fuel Economy

Q5 40

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

201 horsepower

236 pound-feet of torque

23 MPG city

29 MPG highway

Q5 45

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

261 horsepower

273 pound-feet of torque

22 MPG city

28 MPG highway

Q5 55

2.0-liter 4-cylinder w/ electric motor

362 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

22 MPG city

28 MPG highway

23 miles electric range

SQ5

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

349 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

19 MPG city

24 MPG highway

The Bottom Line

That’s kind of a lot of information, so here are our takeaways to boil it all down:

• While the base engines of the Q5 and X3 have the same fuel economy, the Q5 gets better gas mileage at the higher trims.
• The X3 has more power overall.
• The X3 sDrive30i is the only rear-wheel drive SUV of the bunch; all others come standard with all-wheel drive.
• The Q5 boasts the only plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is capable of all-electric driving.

While the X3 offers more power at its base and upper-tier engines, buyers will have to pay a premium for it. The Q5 actually offers similar power for its price point, and it does so with the added benefit of the available PHEV option and a more extensive list of comfort and convenience features.

Tech and Amenities

Perhaps the greatest hallmark of the best high-end vehicles is their available creature comforts.

In the tech department, both deliver handsomely. The Q5 comes with a standard 10.1-inch infotainment screen, while the X3 has a 10.3-inch screen with an optional two-inch upgrade If you so choose. Both are paired with meat-and-potatoes features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as their own onboard connectivity services, which aid with voice commands and a slew of other features. We’re still partial to the Q5 though, which includes thoughtful extras like temperature-controlled cupholders (seriously).

As expected, both also have a decent amount of standard advanced driver assistance, which includes lane keeping assistance and frontal collision braking. However, the Audi Q5 once again comes out on top with a more extensive list of features in the base model, including parking assistance.

The Bottom Line

The X3 is quite well-equipped, just as one would hope. But, many of its fancier features will need to be unlocked by purchasing one of the many add-on packages at the dealership. Once again, the Audi Q5 goes the extra mile by providing more bang for your buck.

2024 Audi Q5: The Clear Choice

The BMW X3 is a fantastic SUV, and it’s easy to see why it’s popular among luxury car enthusiasts. However, it simply can’t compete with the Q5, which pulls ahead thanks to its superlative quality and better standard features.

Are you in the market for the best luxury crossover money can buy? At Audi Kansas City, we have the Audi Q5 for lease for a great price, as well as a ton of Super Specials to save you even more money. Contact us on our website to learn more and schedule a test drive today.

Luxury SUV Showdown: Audi Q5 vs. BMW X3

The midsize crossover segment is the most densely populated in the automotive world, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular—they reliably deliver carlike handling and fuel economy while providing plenty of space and versatility, making them ideal for families.

But in a field with so many players, how does one pick their favorite?

We’ll go first: the 2024 Audi Q5. As the brand’s bestseller, it stands as the Audi SUV flagship, with all of the thrilling performance and excellent features you’d expect from a top-rated luxury SUV. We’d stack it up against any competitor, and to put it to the test, we’ve decided to put it head-to-head with another world-class SUV, the 2024 BMW X3. Let’s see who comes out on top.

Trims and Pricing

The BMW X3 has a fairly simple and straightforward selection, making it easy to navigate, but not offering much in the way of choice, as each trim is married to a specific powertrain. The Audi Q5, on the other hand, has three available powertrains across three different trims, allowing for much greater mixing and matching depending on buyer preference.

2024 BMW X3 Trims and Pricing:

X3 sDrive30i

$46,900

X3 xDrive30i

$48,900

X3 M40i

$61,900

X3 M

$75,500

2024 Audi Q5 Trims and Pricing:

Q5 Premium 40

$45,300

Q5 Premium 45

$48,200

Q5 Premium 55

$58,500

Q5 Premium Plus 40

$50,100

Q5 Premium Plus 45

$53,000

Q5 Premium Plus 55

$62,400

Q5 Prestige 40

$55,600

Q5 Prestige 45

$58,100

Q5 Prestige 55

$67,700

The Bottom Line

In addition to having many more trim options for the base model, there’s also a slickly styled Audi Q5 Sportback, and a performance-oriented Audi SQ5.

So, which is the best midsize luxury SUV for the money? Here are a few key takeaways:

• The Q5 Premium 40 has the best value overall.
• The X3 M has the highest price tag by a significant margin.
• The X3 M40i is more expensive than all but two Q5 trims.

Q5 trims tend to come with a more complete set of standard features, whereas the X3 requires buyers to spend more money on optional packages and add-ons, driving the price up even further. They may be luxury SUVs, but buyers still ought to expect to get plenty of bang for their buck, and the Audi Q5 makes it happen.

Available Powertrains and Performance

Both of these luxury crossovers can be fitted with multiple engine and drivetrain combos, each with its own perks and performance specs.

2024 BMW X3 Powertrains and Specs:

Power

Fuel Economy

X3 sDrive30i/xDrive30i

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

248 horsepower

258 pound-feet of torque

23 MPG city

29 MPG highway

X3 M40i

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

382 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

21 MPG city

26 MPG highway

X3 M

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

473 horsepower

457 pound-feet of torque

15 MPG city

20 MPG highway

2024 Audi Q5 Powertrains and Specs:

Power

Fuel Economy

Q5 40

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

201 horsepower

236 pound-feet of torque

23 MPG city

29 MPG highway

Q5 45

2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder

261 horsepower

273 pound-feet of torque

22 MPG city

28 MPG highway

Q5 55

2.0-liter 4-cylinder w/ electric motor

362 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

22 MPG city

28 MPG highway

23 miles electric range

SQ5

3.0-liter Turbocharged 6-cylinder

349 horsepower

369 pound-feet of torque

19 MPG city

24 MPG highway

The Bottom Line

That’s kind of a lot of information, so here are our takeaways to boil it all down:

• While the base engines of the Q5 and X3 have the same fuel economy, the Q5 gets better gas mileage at the higher trims.
• The X3 has more power overall.
• The X3 sDrive30i is the only rear-wheel drive SUV of the bunch; all others come standard with all-wheel drive.
• The Q5 boasts the only plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is capable of all-electric driving.

While the X3 offers more power at its base and upper-tier engines, buyers will have to pay a premium for it. The Q5 actually offers similar power for its price point, and it does so with the added benefit of the available PHEV option and a more extensive list of comfort and convenience features.

Tech and Amenities

Perhaps the greatest hallmark of the best high-end vehicles is their available creature comforts.

In the tech department, both deliver handsomely. The Q5 comes with a standard 10.1-inch infotainment screen, while the X3 has a 10.3-inch screen with an optional two-inch upgrade If you so choose. Both are paired with meat-and-potatoes features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as their own onboard connectivity services, which aid with voice commands and a slew of other features. We’re still partial to the Q5 though, which includes thoughtful extras like temperature-controlled cupholders (seriously).

As expected, both also have a decent amount of standard advanced driver assistance, which includes lane keeping assistance and frontal collision braking. However, the Audi Q5 once again comes out on top with a more extensive list of features in the base model, including parking assistance.

The Bottom Line

The X3 is quite well-equipped, just as one would hope. But, many of its fancier features will need to be unlocked by purchasing one of the many add-on packages at the dealership. Once again, the Audi Q5 goes the extra mile by providing more bang for your buck.

2024 Audi Q5: The Clear Choice

The BMW X3 is a fantastic SUV, and it’s easy to see why it’s popular among luxury car enthusiasts. However, it simply can’t compete with the Q5, which pulls ahead thanks to its superlative quality and better standard features.

Are you in the market for the best luxury crossover money can buy? At Audi Kansas City, we have the Audi Q5 for lease for a great price, as well as a ton of Super Specials to save you even more money. Contact us on our website to learn more and schedule a test drive today.