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Audi Q7 vs BMW X5

2026 Audi Q7 vs 2026 BMW X5 — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q7

2026 Audi Q7

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Audi Q7 wins 4 of 7 categories
BMW X5

2026 BMW X5

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The BMW X5 is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $450 a year less in fuel for the BMW X5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q7 is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Audi Q7 has had fewer recall campaigns (31 vs 85).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q7 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,938 lb.

The 2026 BMW X5 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,558 lb (M60i 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q7 and the 2023 X5 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Q7 and the 2019 X5.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
25 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,300

Performance & space

335 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
523 hp
199.2 in
Length
192.1 in
77.6 in
Width
78 in
68.5 in
Height
68.9 in
4,938 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
5,181 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
9
1
Recalls (2026)
2
31
Recalls, all years since 2005
85
2
Owner complaints (latest year)
28

Interest

17,245
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,895

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2017
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q7 if…

  • You want more room (7 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (31 vs 85 recalls since 2005)

Choose the BMW X5 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (25 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want more power (up to 523 vs 335 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q7

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 BMW X5

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi Q7 specs →Full 2026 BMW X5 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →