Audi Q5 vs BMW X1
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Audi Q5 scores higher, 76 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 30 Aug 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
Audi Q5
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$80,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 4-cylinder inline petrol with turbocharging and MHEV plus technology
- Power
- 150kW
- Economy
- 5.7 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 520L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 75, but the BMW X1 is $19,100 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
BMW X1
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 115kW
- Economy
- 6.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 540L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$80,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$61,800RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Fuel figures here come from different test cycles (Audi Q5: ADR 81/02; BMW X1: WLTP), so they are not compared like-for-like and no fuel winner is shown.
Price and cost per week
Audi Q5 TFSI FWD SUV
$80,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
$91,712 drive-away in VIC, as published by Audi Australia
About $401 a week in repayments ($91,712 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
BMW X1 sDrive18i
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $263 a week in repayments ($61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The BMW X1 starts $19,100 lower on RRP.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$263/wk(≈$1,138/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X1 at $61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Audi Q5 at 5 stars (2025) and the BMW X1 at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Audi Q5 and 86% for the BMW X1, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi Q5, against 5 on the BMW X1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Audi Q5 and 6 in the BMW X1.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q5 and 5 on the BMW X1.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi Q5
- REC-006609 · published 14 May 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the driver and/or front passenger seat belt pre-tensioners may not operate as intended resulting in increased seat belt slack and reduced occupant restraint performance.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-005077 · published 17 Mar 2022Due to its installation position, if there is liquid or liquid droplets spilt on the rear seat bench the control unit for network management may become damaged and fail.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2021
- REC-001665 · published 3 Sep 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- 14 more on the model page.
BMW X1
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006063 · published 30 Aug 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, liquid may enter the electrical water pump connectors.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2018
- 5 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q5 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW X1 gets a 10.7-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the BMW X1. The BMW X1 counters with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, heated front seats and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi Q5 gets leather upholstery while the BMW X1 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi Q5 and 2-zone in the BMW X1.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q5 uses a 4-cylinder inline petrol with turbocharging and MHEV plus technology producing 150kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds.
The BMW X1 responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 230Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The Audi Q5 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi Q5 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q5 measures 4,717mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 217mm longer than the BMW X1 at 4,500mm (2,692mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi Q5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the Audi Q5 and 540L in the BMW X1, giving the BMW X1 a 20L advantage.
For towing, the Audi Q5 leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,700kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW X1's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.3 m against 11.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi Q5 costs about $1,625 a year (5.7 L/100km) and fuel for the BMW X1 about $1,853 a year (6.5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q5) and 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X1). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Audi Q5), no data (BMW X1).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q5: more power (150kW against 115kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,700kg).
The BMW X1: the lower starting price ($61,800 against $80,900) and the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 520L).
The Verdict
Audi Q5 scores higher, 76 vs 75
The Audi Q5 scores 76 to the BMW X1's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (Audi Q5 ahead by 9 points), value (BMW X1 ahead by 5 points).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$263/wk(≈$1,138/mo)
Estimate on the BMW X1 at $61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q5 and BMW X1?
The BMW X1 is the cheapest at $61,800 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q5 by $19,100.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and BMW X1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X1 has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi Q5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q5 makes the most power at 150kW. The Audi Q5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.6s.
Track the Audi Q5 & BMW X1
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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