Compare the2025 Audi Q8 e-tronVS 2025 BMW XM

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q8 e-tron are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q8 e-tron and XM have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q8 e-tron has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The XM’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XM doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the Q8 e-tron and the XM have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XM has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 127 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 590) than the XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Q8 e-tron gets better mileage than the XM running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Q8 e-tron gets better mileage than the XM running its gasoline engine:

The Q8 e-tron can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 208 to 272 miles. The XM has to start its internal combustion engine after only 31 miles.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the XM; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XM, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 e-tron’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Q8 e-tron’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the XM’s (40 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Audi Q8 e-tron may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the BMW XM.

The Q8 e-tron is 8.2 inches shorter than the XM, making the Q8 e-tron easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q8 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume than the XM with its rear seat up (28.5 vs. 18.6 cubic feet).

The Q8 e-tron’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q8 e-tron’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard Audi Advanced Key allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the XM doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XM doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Audi Q8 e-tron outsold the BMW XM by almost four to one during 2024.