{"id":85891,"date":"2026-07-01T07:33:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=85891"},"modified":"2026-07-01T07:33:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:33:03","slug":"bmw-x5-vs-audi-q7-photo-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=85891","title":{"rendered":"New BMW X5 vs Audi Q7 Photo Comparison: This One Looks Decided"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"post-summary-wrap\">\n<h3 class=\"post-summary-title\">Article Summary<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"post-summary-list\">\n<li>The new G65 BMW X5 and 2027 Audi Q7 arrive at nearly the same time, making this one of the fairest luxury SUV photo comparisons yet.<\/li>\n<li>BMW\u2019s X5 appears more cohesive and forward-looking, while the new Audi Q7 leans heavily on big-grille styling and screen-heavy interior trends.<\/li>\n<li>The X5 looks stronger on performance and powertrain variety, with gas, diesel, electric, plug-in hybrid, and future hydrogen options planned.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<p>The G65 BMW X5 is finally here. Wouldn\u2019t you know it, just earlier this month, one of the X5\u2019s closest rivals, the Audi Q7, also entered a brand-new generation. Fights rarely get as fair as this \u2014 at least on paper \u2014 but after looking through the pictures, we\u2019re not sure it\u2019s even remotely close. Check out how the new BMW G65 X5 compares to the 2027 Audi Q7 in our photo comparison and see for yourself.<\/p>\n<h2>Exterior Design<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514910\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 REAR\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 REAR\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-rear.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>From any angle, the new G65 BMW X5 and Audi Q7 are clearly divergent designs. Where BMW\u2019s X5 dons the new Neue Klasse-style grille, shrinking the top portion of the front end, Audi leans even harder into the big grille design. Now, while Audi\u2019s design language will change with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2026\/06\/04\/audi-nuvolari-new-supercar-debut\/\">Nuvolari<\/a>, the Q7 was designed well before that shift. Ultimately, the Q7 is probably going to age comparatively poorly. Around back, the story is the same, with a long lightbar running the width of the trunk. Things improve with the side profile; the two look much more closely related. That said, the front end design of the G65 is strictly more cohesive than the Audi\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>The new Audi Q7 and G65 BMW X5 share quite a bit, proportionately speaking. Both cars are as near as makes no difference to 79 inches (2,000 mm) wide. The X5 has a slightly longer wheelbase (119.4 inches\/3,035 mm vs. 118 inches\/2,997 mm), and the Audi stands slightly taller at 71 inches\/1,803 mm compared to the X5\u2019s 68.8 inches\/1,748 mm. The Audi is also slightly longer overall than the X5. Regardless of dimensions, we feel it\u2019s a fairly unbiased opinion to declare the X5 the obvious design win.<\/p>\n<h2>Interior Design<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514909\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 INTERIOR\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 INTERIOR\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-interior.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The story remains kind of similar inside. Audi\u2019s interior appears to be chasing trends, while the X5 is clearly something new from the ground up. We\u2019ll talk a little bit more about screens later, but they entirely dominate the Q7\u2019s cockpit \u2014 less so with the G65 X5. Both cars press releases emphasize material quality \u2014 BMW going as far as to include the unusual choice of slate on its options list \u2014 while the Audi Q7\u2019s interior shows generous usage of wood and soft-touch materials. Buttons are largely absent from either car. By EU measurement standards \u2014 which are slightly different than the ones used in the U.S. \u2014 both cars offer around the same storage space, although the larger Audi does tout an advantage. The new G65 offers between 655 and 1,850 liters (23.1 \u2014 65.3 cubic feet) of cargo space compared to the Audi Q7\u2019s (without third row) 806 to 2,075 liters (28.4 to 73.2 cubic feet).<\/p>\n<h2>Performance<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514907\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 FRONT\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 FRONT\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-front.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you think Audi has kind of dropped the ball, just wait until we get to the performance section. Europe\u2019s Q7 launch sees just a single powertrain at launch, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. With a maximum of 295 horsepower on tap, we don\u2019t even need to look in-depth at G65 offerings to rest assured BMW is walking away with a \u201cW\u201d in the performance category. Hardly the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2026\/06\/09\/2027-audi-q7-debut-bmw-x5-rival\/\">BMW X5 rival<\/a> we\u2019ve come to expect. For U.S. shoppers, Audi keeps things more competitive with a 429-horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 and a familiar 591-horsepower twin-turbo V8.<\/p>\n<p>No matter where you live, the G65 will be the enthusiast\u2019s choice. Smaller overall dimensions will keep the X5 feeling relatively agile. Meanwhile, electric, gas, diesel (in Europe), and eventually hydrogen offerings ensure you can power your X5 regardless of your preferred fuel type. The highest performing G65 X5 models will be the \u201c60\u201d designated models. The M60e offers 612 horsepower and the electric iX5 60 xDrive gets down with 578 horsepower.<\/p>\n<h2>Technology<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514911\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 SIDE\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. AUDI Q7 SIDE\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Audi-Q7-Side.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As we touched on earlier, both SUVs rely heavily on screens, and both go the extra mile, adding a passenger-facing unit with the latest generation. BMW\u2019s Panoramic Vision will take a little getting used to, as it replaces the traditional gauge cluster; but ultimately, the Q7\u2019s newest dashboard looks an awful lot like Mercedes and BMW dashboards from the last three or four years. Regardless, both offer similar levels of useful tech (like voice commands, built-in navigation, 360-degree cameras, and app connectivity) and cluttered steering wheels of haptic buttons. Of course, thanks to the 3D head-up display and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/10\/bmw-panoramic-vision-vs-big-screens\/\">Panoramic Vision<\/a>, driving the two otherwise similar SUVs will be very different sensations. We tend to think the X5 will be more intuitive to use, and think the Audi\u2019s screens are already looking a little dated.<\/p>\n<p>Well, what do you think? The two SUVs have never been more different, despite occupying the same spot in their respective brand\u2019s lineup. It feels like Audi is playing a whole lot of catch-up, but we\u2019re admittedly a little bit biased. Which one will you take home?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Article Summary The new G65 BMW X5 and 2027 Audi Q7 arrive at nearly the same time, making this one of the fairest luxury SUV photo comparisons yet. BMW\u2019s X5 appears more cohesive and forward-looking, while the new Audi Q7 leans heavily on big-grille styling and screen-heavy interior trends. The X5 looks stronger on performance [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":85892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85891"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85891\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/85892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}