BMW X5 vs Audi Q8: Diesel SUV or petrol MHEV SUV
The BMW X5 costs less, uses less fuel and has more boot space, while the Audi Q8 has more power and the quicker acceleration time.
By Uzzi · 10 October 2026 · Every figure comes from each car's own page on CarSorted.
$137,600
RRP excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$137,600 RRP before on-road costs
We check the manufacturer's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the manufacturer.
2026 Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro S line
$143,415
RRP excl. on-roads
Price tracker
Standing price
$143,415 RRP before on-road costs
We check the manufacturer's published price regularly and record every change here.
RRP before on-road costs, as published by the manufacturer.
Who the BMW X5 suits
The X5 suits buyers who want a big SUV for family and towing duty without paying top dollar. It runs on diesel, has 670Nm of torque and lists fuel use of 7.8L/100km. It also comes with a known capped servicing figure, which helps with budgeting.
Who the Audi Q8 suits
The Q8 suits buyers who care more about performance than economy. Its petrol MHEV powertrain makes 250kW and gets to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds. You pay more up front and it uses more fuel to get there.
What decides it
1. Price
The X5 is listed at $137,600 (RRP excl. on-roads) and the Q8 at $143,415 (RRP excl. on-roads). That puts the BMW about $5,815 cheaper before on-road costs. We have no drive-away figures for either car.
2. Fuel use
The diesel X5 lists combined fuel use of 7.8L/100km. The petrol MHEV Q8 lists 9.2L/100km. That is a gap of 1.4L/100km in the BMW's favour.
3. Boot space
With the seats up, the X5 has a 650L boot against the Q8's 605L, so the BMW has 45L more. Fold the seats and it's 1,870L in the X5 versus 1,755L in the Q8.
Running costs
The X5 lists 7.8L/100km on diesel, while the Q8 lists 9.2L/100km on petrol. The X5's capped servicing comes to $3,570 (capped-price servicing total), and we have no capped servicing figure for the Q8. Both come with a 5-year, unlimited km warranty. Check the running-cost chart below to compare them over time.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$5,901
per year to run
$167,104
total 5yr cost
$2.14
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $5,901/year to run, or $29,505 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Fuel: each car's official consumption figure (WLTP where marked) at 15,600 km a year and $1.90/L diesel. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
True Cost of Ownership (5 Years)
$6,689
per year to run
$176,859
total 5yr cost
$2.27
per kilometre
Where the 5-year total goes
About $6,689/year to run, or $33,445 over 5 years including fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres and registration.
* Estimates based on your parameters. Fuel: each car's official consumption figure at 15,600 km a year and $2.10/L premium petrol. Servicing uses each manufacturer's capped-price schedule where we have it, and tyres scale with your weekly km. A guide only, not a quote.
Practicality
Both have 5 seats. The X5 has the bigger boot, at 650L seats up against 605L in the Q8. The Q8 is longer at 5,006mm versus 4,935mm, but the X5 is taller and sits higher off the ground, with 221mm of clearance against 206mm. Both are rated to tow 3,500kg braked, and the X5 has the higher payload at 730kg versus 685kg.
Cost to tow
The real fuel/energy cost once you hitch up. Pick a trailer and trip.
⚠ Not every limit could be checked: the manufacturer publishes no GCM for this vehicle, so this verdict rests only on the limits that are published.
Estimate only: consumption rises as range falls; real use varies with terrain, wind and load.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (25% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
BMW doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 650 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
Will it fit in the boot?
May fitExample sizes only - measure your item before relying on this.
Volume check only (seats up)
Item box about 166L (27% of the volume). Litres don't describe shape, so this can't confirm a fit.
Audi doesn't publish boot dimensions for this car, only 605 litres. Litres can prove something won't fit, but never that a rigid item will - so the best this car can score is "May fit".
Based on the manufacturer's published boot volume.
How quick is it?
How quick is it?
Against on-sale cars in our database
436 (38%)
are quicker
695 (61%)
are slower
Of 1,142 cars, 11 level with it.
Against on-sale SUVs
135 (28%)
are quicker
343 (71%)
are slower
Of 484 cars, 6 level with it.
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
How quick is it?
Against on-sale cars in our database
332 (29%)
are quicker
787 (69%)
are slower
Of 1,142 cars, 23 level with it.
Against on-sale SUVs
96 (20%)
are quicker
381 (79%)
are slower
Of 484 cars, 7 level with it.
0-100 times as published and held in our records. Counts cover on-sale cars with a figure and refresh daily.
Safety
Neither the BMW X5 nor the Audi Q8 has an ANCAP rating on record in our data. Check with the maker or ANCAP before you buy if a rating matters to you.
The figures side by side
| BMW X5 | Audi Q8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $137,600 (RRP excl. on-roads) | $143,415 (RRP excl. on-roads) |
| Powertrain | ICE | MHEV |
| Fuel | Diesel | Petrol |
| Drive | AWD | AWD |
| Transmission | Auto | Automatic |
| Power | 219kW | 250kW |
| Torque | 670Nm | 500Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 6.1 seconds | 5.6 seconds |
| Fuel use (combined) | 7.8L/100km | 9.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank | 80L | 85L |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Boot (seats up) | 650L | 605L |
| Boot (seats folded) | 1,870L | 1,755L |
| Length | 4,935mm | 5,006mm |
| Width | 2,004mm | 1,995mm |
| Height | 1,765mm | 1,708mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975mm | 2,995mm |
| Ground clearance | 221mm | 206mm |
| Turning circle | 12.7m | 12.5m |
| Kerb weight | 2,220kg | No data |
| Towing (braked) | 3,500kg | 3,500kg |
| Towing (unbraked) | 750kg | 750kg |
| Payload | 730kg | No data |
| Warranty | 5-year | 5-year |
| Warranty distance | unlimited km | unlimited km |
| Capped servicing, 5 years | $3,570 (capped-price servicing total) | No data |
| Service interval | 60 months | 12 months |
The verdict
For most buyers the X5 makes more sense, with a lower price, lower listed fuel use, a bigger boot and a known servicing cost.
Pick the BMW X5 if
you want the lower price, lower listed fuel use and more boot space, plus a capped servicing figure you can plan around.
Pick the Audi Q8 if
you want more power and the quicker acceleration time, and you are happy to pay more for it.
Track the BMW X5 & Audi Q8
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Put them side by side yourself
Every figure, feature and running cost for both, in our live comparison table.
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Ask about these two cars
- BMW X5 xDrive30d
- Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro S line
Tap a question or ask your own.Tap a question or ask your own. The answer starts from the cars in this comparison, with links to the rows behind them.
Questions buyers ask
Is the BMW X5 cheaper than the Audi Q8?
Yes. The X5 xDrive30d is listed at $137,600 (RRP excl. on-roads) and the Q8 55 TFSI quattro S line at $143,415 (RRP excl. on-roads). On-road costs are extra for both.
Which uses less fuel, the X5 or the Q8?
The diesel X5 lists combined fuel use of 7.8L/100km, against 9.2L/100km for the petrol MHEV Q8. Real-world use will vary.
Which has the bigger boot, the BMW X5 or the Audi Q8?
The X5 lists 650L with the seats up, while the Q8 lists 605L.
How much can the X5 and Q8 tow?
Both are rated to tow 3,500kg braked and 750kg unbraked.
What ANCAP rating do the BMW X5 and Audi Q8 have?
We have no ANCAP rating on record for either car.
More on these cars
- 2026 BMW X5 xDrive30d: full specs and priceEvery BMW X5 gradeAll BMW modelsCompare BMW X5 vs Porsche CayenneCompare BMW X5 vs Land Rover Range Rover SportCompare BMW X5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
- 2026 Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro S line: full specs and priceEvery Audi Q8 gradeAll Audi modelsCompare Audi Q8 vs Porsche CayenneCompare Audi Q8 vs Land Rover Range Rover SportCompare Audi Q8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
BMW X5 vs Audi Q8: the full side-by-side table