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Both are mid-size SUVs or rather soft-roaders we would say, both are German, both are powered by 2.0-litre diesel engines and both are pretty new in the Indian market. The Audi Q5 has been around for over two years, but its 2.0-litre diesel variant came earlier this year. The BMW is comparatively a more recent entrant, having come to these shores about three months ago. Since BMW and Audi have been arch-rivals for years, the battle for supremacy still continues even in this case.

If you think that this one is another fierce battle of two of the best-in-class warriors, you might be surprised by the outcome. How? Let us see.

Design And Styling
When a company launches a new car, one expects it to be a much better looking one. It should appeal at first sight and make its predecessor look dated. We expected that of the X3, but were disappointed on that front. No doubt, the X3 looks better than the earlier version of the same car, which was much too box-like. The headlights have been slightly changed, the kidney-shaped grille is more or less the same, the bumper is slightly sleeker than before and the overall look is more of a facelift than that of a new car. Even at the rear, the basic form has been maintained. The sharp edges have been replaced by curvy ones and the rear now bears a finer look. Overall, apart from refining the design, BMW have not done much with the X3’s looks.

Look at the Q5, on the other hand, and you know that this Audi is a modern car. It has soft edges at the front and sides, a big, chromed grille, LED jewelled headlamps, sharp yet stylish tail-lights and an overall aggression that would scare its competitors. What really goes in favour of the Q5 is its positively raked nose as against the upright one of the X3. Though the new Beemer is less boxy, the nose still gives an old car feel to it. If looks had to decide the fate, the X3 would be miles behind the Q5.

Engine And Transmission
As mentioned earlier, the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 are both powered by 2.0-litre diesel engines. However, their power outputs differ. While the X3’s motor produces 184 PS of peak power, the Q5’s engine makes only 170 PS. Even on the torque front, the X3 stands tall with 380 Nm as against 350 Nm of the Q5. Obviously, with the higher output ratings, there is no question that the X3 performs better when it comes to outright acceleration. The BMW manages 0-to-100 km/h in 9.56 seconds while the Q5 crosses the same mark 1.8 seconds slower, that is, in 11.36 seconds. However, a point to be noted here is that the Q5 takes a little longer to get off the mark because it launches in the second gear, then drops to the first and then accelerates hard. It loses almost a second in this business.

Now, instead of outright acceleration, if we compare the kickdown accelerations of the two cars from 40 to 120 km/h, the Q5 is just about a second slower than the X3. We think that this difference is negligible while considering everyday driving.

The credit for comparable kickdown acceleration times of the Q5 despite having lesser power goes to its excellent transmission. This Audi uses a dual clutch, seven-speed gearbox that shifts through the cogs seamlessly as against the old fashioned, torque converter type eight-speed box used in the X3. While the Q5 manages to upshift without letting the driver notice it, the X3 takes its own time and makes the shifts evident. Even within the city, the Q5 feels much better to drive unlike the X3, which keeps revving up and down all the time.