2018 BMW X3 vs. 2018 Audi SQ5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2018 BMW X3 and 2018 Audi SQ5 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2018 BMW X3 and the 2018 Audi SQ5.
In comparing the 2018 BMW X3's and the 2018 Audi SQ5's specifications and ratings, the 2018 BMW X3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The 2018 Audi SQ5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2018 BMW X3's and the 2018 Audi SQ5's specifications and ratings, the 2018 BMW X3 is a better car than the 2018 Audi SQ5.
Pricing: A used 2018 BMW X3 ranges from $18,791 to $33,840 while a used 2018 Audi SQ5 is priced between $21,997 to $34,982.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2018 BMW X3 loses 48.6 percent of its value and the 2018 Audi SQ5 loses 52 percent of its value. This means the 2018 BMW X3 retains 3.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2018 Audi SQ5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X3 is 8.6 out of 10 while the Audi SQ5's quality rating is 6.6 out of 10. This results in the BMW X3 being ranked 1 out of 29 Best Luxury Small SUVs and the Audi SQ5 being ranked 12 out of 29. Out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs, the BMW X3 is ranked 2 and the Audi SQ5 is ranked 35.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X3 is 8.4 out of 10. For the Audi SQ5 the reliability rating is 5.9 out of 10. This gives the BMW X3 an advantage in reliability compared to the Audi SQ5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2018 BMW X3’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the 2018 Audi SQ5 base engine makes 354 horsepower. The X3 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 499 miles. The SQ5 is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 444 miles. This gives the 2018 BMW X3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2018 Audi SQ5. Both models use premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The 2018 BMW X3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$42,650
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$41,146
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$33,355 - $54,300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$54,300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$41,146
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$33,355 - $54,300
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$25,574
Price Range:
$18,791 - $33,840
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$24,585
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$20,268 - $35,179
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
256
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,233
# Good or Great Deals:
133
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$28,473
Price Range:
$21,997 - $34,982
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$24,585
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$20,268 - $35,179
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
88
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
76,631
# Good or Great Deals:
41
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Audi SQ5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
6.6 / 10
Reliability:
5.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 BMW X3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
5.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
4.7 - 7.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2018 Audi SQ5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
4.7 - 7.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
18.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
1 - 22.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
1 - 22.9
BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 59Ranking
43 out of / 68Audi SQ5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 27Ranking
26 out of / 68Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
28 out of / 68Ranking
30 out of / 68Ranking
31 out of / 68Ranking
32 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
35 out of / 68Ranking
38 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 59Ranking
42 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2018 BMW X3 Trim Levels
M40i, xDrive30i
2018 Audi SQ5 Trim Levels
3.0T quattro Premium Plus, 3.0T quattro Prestige
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
354 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1370 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.080 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
378 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 24 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 444 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
Available
Android Auto:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
28.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
130.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
26.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
60.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4156 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
66 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4398 lbs
Width:
84.3 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
183.9 inches
Wheelbase:
111.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
20.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R20
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic
Brown
Terra Brown Metallic
Gray
Dark Graphite Metallic
Green
Dark Olive Metallic
Silver
Glacier Silver Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Moonlight Blue Metallic / Navarra Blue Metallic
Brown
Not available
Gray
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect / Monsoon Gray Metallic
Green
Azores Green Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Ibis White
Red
Matador Red Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige/Black
Black
Black
Brown
Cognac / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Rotor Gray
Red
Magma Red