It’s Wednesday again and if you’re suffering from a mid-week slump, the Car Loan Warehouse is here to help. Today’s Car Wars Wednesdays is all about the battle of the titans, as two of the UK’s leading luxury heavyweight SUVs go head to head. Audi Q7 vs BMW X5: which of these German giants will come out on top? Let’s find out.
Design
When it comes to road presence, neither of these cars fail to make themselves known. While the Q7 is an unmistakably large car, the X5’s distinctive styling helps it stand out from the crowd in a way that Audi’s SUV fails to – giving the BMW the edge over the Audi in the looks department. Climb inside, however, and it’s a different story. The X5’s interior is undoubtedly classy but the Audi Q7 looks and feels expensive throughout – giving extra points when it comes to luxury design. Points to Audi in this round.
Features
Equipment in the Audi Q7 is generous across the range, with even the entry-level model coming with electric windows, alloys, climate control and cruise control. For a more sporty model, the S Line adds headlamp washers and sports seats – and optional extras include a DVD sat-nav system and a large panoramic sunroof which covers the length of all three rows of seats. The entry-level SE model in the BMW X5 also comes packed with plenty of kit and is the best value for money option. Equipment includes a colour Sat Nav system, automatic lights and wipers, climate and cruise controls, front and rear parking sensors, a DAB radio and even xenon headlights! With so much on offer, this round is rightfully belongs to the BMW X5.
Performance
In the great X5 vs Q7 debate, performance is everything – and moving under the surface, engines in the Q7 have to pack plenty of punch to power this mammoth motor. When it comes to heavy SUVs, diesel is the way to go. The mighty Audi Q7 comes with a choice of strong diesels, ranging from the frugal 204bhp 3.0 litre unit up to the range topping 4.2 litre diesel – offering lighting quick performance for an SUV of this size, hitting 62 mph in just 6.4 seconds. The BMW X5 offers a wider engine range, including a novelty petrol unit reserved for owners of oil wells! Diesel options range from a sensible 215bhp 2.0 litre unit through to a blistering 375bhp 3.0 litre unit – offering acceleration figures to beat the sporty Porsche Cayenne.
While both cars can manage some light off-road action, these SUVs are more at home in the city or on the motorway. If you’re planning on exploring new terrain, the Q7 would be the way to go – but for everyday thrills, stick with the X5. The BMW is the sportier ride of the two and takes the edge in terms of precision and driving experience – making it the winner of the performance round.
Price
Prices vary dramatically depending on spec level, however, the entry-level X5 will set you back £43,745. While this is slightly cheaper than the Audi Q7’s list price of £46,700, you can expect to find good deals on the Audi as the latest facelift of the Q7 is rolled out to replace the current model. There may not be much between them, but the BMW scoops the best value for money in this round.
The verdict: Audi have put up a strong fight but BMW have pipped them to the post in almost every round, making them today’s winner.
Will it be the X5 or Q7 that gets your vote? Whoever you choose, the Car Loan Warehouse can help you finance your winner. Our flexible lending options mean we could help you secure car finance, with payments that you can afford. Check out our BMW finance and Audi finance options today, or use our online car finance calculator for an instant quote.
