SUV Comparison: 2021 Audi RS Q8 vs BMW X6M Competition

Two super fast and super expensive CUVs face off

Clayton Seams, Brian Harper

Jun 25, 2021 • June 25, 2021 • 8 minute read • Join the conversation

Brian Harper: Is it possible to be mightily impressed at the performance of two of the fastest, most powerful — and mondo-expensive — crossovers ever to make it to series production, yet equally disconcerted at the result? On the one hand we have the BMW X6 M in its most extreme Competition form — replete in a slightly menacing matte black paint job — easily one of the most intimidating vehicles out there, especially if you see one stalking you in your rear-view mirror. On the other is the Audi RS Q8, not quite as menacing, yet current holder of the fastest lap around the Nurburgring for an SUV (7 minutes, 42.25 seconds, in case you’re wondering).

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In essence (and generalizing for effect), we’re talking about a pair of $160,000-plus luxury-oriented uber-utes, each weighing more than 5,300 pounds, capable of sub-four-second blasts to 100 km/h thanks to their mega-horsepower, twin-turbo V8 engines — specifically a 617-hp 4.4L in the BMW and a 591-hp 4.0L in the Audi. Oh, and despite their vaunted all-wheel drivetrains, they would be all but useless attempting anything off-road. Have I got the gist here, Clayton?

Photo by Clayton Seams
Photo by Clayton Seams
Photo by Clayton Seams
Photo by Clayton Seams
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Photo by Clayton Seams
Photo by Clayton Seams

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Clayton Seams: Well, basically today’s CUVs are the raised versions of cars, so that makes these super-CUVs the lowered versions of raised versions of cars. Great engineering minds have toiled to give us humongous family haulers that can pull a full G in any direction. Mash the gas, hit the brakes or crank the steering wheel in either of these, and your full weight will be flung in the opposite direction. It’s pretty wild stuff.

As far as I can tell, both of these SUVs were built to fulfill a singular purpose — to make you and your friends laugh and gasp when you nail the throttle. Both of these have twin-turbo V8s and launch control, but launching both is a little different.

The BMW launch control is engaged by pressing the M2 button on the steering wheel and then moving the shifter into manual mode. I found that it only engaged properly half the time and that it struggled to find grip on normal pavement. And even with the X6 M turned to its most aggressive settings, there was a noticeable delay between when I pulled the paddle and when the car upshifted.

Photo by Clayton Seams
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The Audi also requires you to press a steering wheel-mounted button to activate launch control (in this case the RS button). But unlike the BMW, I found it worked perfectly 100 per cent of the time, and it managed to find more traction on the same piece of road. The upshifts were crisp and violent. Both SUVs will hurdle you into the horizon with ease but I found it more satisfying in the Audi.

BH: I, too, found the RS Q8 more satisfying to hoon, at least when seeking twisting stretches of tarmac in which to explore both vehicles’ potential. Being perfectly frank, both display astonishing levels of grip considering their size and prodigious weight. Naturally, they roll on generous rubber with huge contact patches, Continental P295/35R23 tires on the Audi, Michelin P295/35R21 fronts and P315/30R22 rears on the BMW. Equally, their suspensions are tuned for maximum control, the RS Q8 fitted with an adaptive air suspension with active roll stabilization, the X6 M Competition countering with a non-air setup that includes a strut tower brace, active front anti-sway bars and stiffer engine mounts. And both über-utes have sport-oriented driving modes. Still, the Audi was better planted and more confident in the transitions, the X6 M felt a little tippy — keeping in mind I was taking this series of S-bends at more than double the recommended speed. Both held their intended lines without a hint of step-out, though the BMW rode rougher over the patched pavement.

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OK, we had a bit of fun exploring their extreme performance bona fides, now let’s act like responsible adults and return to the real (COVID dominated) world of normal driving situations. Any insights into their daily livability?

CS: When any vehicle has an “RS” or “Competition” in the name and arrives with 22- or 23-inch wheels, I reflexively brace for impact. But the truth is that neither of these super-utes drove as harshly as I expected. The ride quality for both was in line with your average German sport sedan and certainly wasn’t objectionable. But, in terms of ride quality, I have to give the nod to the Audi. The air suspension in the RS Q8 calms down almost magically when you don’t have it on boil.

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Inside, both cars are wonderfully appointed. The BMW interior is swathed in leather and wonderful stitching lines the dashboard. The speakers are illuminated and emit a faint glow at night. The seats also have illuminated X6 badges on them. The steering wheel is very chunky and is so girthy that smaller hands may have trouble feeling comfortable with it. The seats adjust one million different ways, and a nice touch is that moving your hand near the seat controls brings up an image of the seats on the touchscreen for easy adjustment.

Photo by Clayton Seams
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The Audi interior also comes alive at night. Selectable mood lighting lives on the doors and dashboard along with an oh-so-cool illuminated “Quattro” badge on the dashboard. The D-shaped suede steering wheel is more satisfying to hold than the BMWs and the shifter is a little more intuitive. One other trick the Audi has is that the driver’s floor is perfectly flat. What I mean by that is there is no raised ridge on the edge of the floor where it meets the door. It makes sliding in that much easier and makes the space feel more open and welcoming.

But the space is a little less welcoming if you happen to be sitting in the back.

BH: At some point in time, family use might be a realistic expectation, and in such situations the RS Q8’s generally more generous interior dimensions work to its advantage for those seeking maximum comfort. So, yes, while neither SUV has exemplary rear-seat accommodation for those on the leggier side, there was extra space for my knees and feet in the Audi. Getting out the tape measure shows the Audi with a 31-mm advantage in front-seat legroom and a far more substantive 113 mm in the back row. The X6 M has 57 mm more headroom up front but 15 mm less head space in the rear, no doubt due to its sloped roofline. The BMW also has a bit more shoulder room up front, a bit less in the back. As for cargo capacity, the Audi is again out in front; 30.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up, 60.7 cu. ft. when they’re folded. The X6 M is not as liberal with 27.4 cu. ft. of room behind the rear seats, 59.6 cu. ft. with the seat backs folded.

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While necessary, all of those numbers are on the dry side. Let’s talk about overall looks. Though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’m having a hard time deciding which of our contenders has a more commanding presence. Certainly, the X6M is aggressively styled, perhaps a little over-the-top, yet perfect for the extrovert. By comparison, the RS Q8 is almost too laid back, at least at first glance. But its station-wagon-on-steroids profile grew on me. What say you?

CS: The X6 is a wonderful looking CUV so long as you never see the back of it. It’s hard to make a “fastback” CUV look good when it’s this tall and BMW seems to have managed it on all but the rear angle. The huge wall of metal with relatively small taillights inset makes it look bulky and odd. And it is both. Our X6 also wore some aesthetically questionable matte paint. Called Frozen Black, it is a $4,900 option and it requires special care. BMW says you can only take it through the “simple” automatic car washes that don’t have a waxing function or it will affect the finish. It seems odd to me to pay extra to dress your car in a way that makes it look like a wrap when you could have it wrapped to look the same way for less money.

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The Audi is available in a few lovely colours, including a metallic orange and a gorgeous metallic blue, but our tester wore an apparently pearlescent grey paint job. It helped it blend in more than the BMW, but I would prefer a bit more pizzazz. Luckily, orange is just a click on the option form away. Our RS wears smart carbon exterior accents as part of a $5,000 option package. It also had carbon ceramic brakes with some of the largest brake calipers I have ever seen fitted to a vehicle. The impressive-looking package will run Canadian buyers a full $10,500 over the standard steel brakes. They look great and were more than capable of hauling the big Q down from high speeds over and over again. You mentioned they were a bit grabby in the rain and I also found their low-speed dynamics a bit odd, but they are bona fide track-ready parts.

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And speaking of hitting the brakes, now we need to talk about price.

BH: Well, the RS Q8 starts off with a lower retail price, starting at $125,000 versus the X6 M Comp’s $133,000, but who buys “base” models? Both of our testers were lavishly kitted with all manner of optional performance and cosmetic packages and standalone upgrades, the end result being the BMW coming in at $160,600 versus the Audi’s $164,145.

The two are among a small but notable list of high-speed SUVs, their company includes the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Maserati Levante and, at an even higher level of posh, the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus. Question the “need” for vehicles of this magnitude all you want, their on-road capabilities are quite remarkable. Still, between the RS Q8 and the X6M Competition, I like the looks, the layout and the feel of the Audi just that much more than the BMW. Are we in agreement?

CS: As much as I hate to do it, I agree with you, old man. Despite being down on power on paper, the RS Q8 feels every bit as savage as the BMW when you mat the gas pedal. It also offers a calmer ride, and in my opinion it looks better. Both are complete animals when driven wildly but the Audi does a better job of calming down for the commute. And for that reason it’s the winner of this Driving.ca comparison.