Competition has always been central to the BMW brand. From its records set at the iconic Nürburgring to its continued appeal with critics and customers alike, the BMW brand pushes boundaries with each and every new model that rolls off its production line.

Of course, when you 're always striving to be the best, it's no great surprise that some tense rivalries arise. And in the luxury car market, few rivalries are more contentious than the one between BMW and Audi.

Now, we could delve deep into a head-to-head comparison between the brands, but if you're like a lot of San Antonio, TX drivers, you've got your eye on just one or two specific models. So, in the interest of showing you how we think the BMW brand beats Audi in almost all relevant respects, we've gone ahead and produced a brief competitive comparison between our new 2019 BMW X3 and the Audi Q5.

Performance

First and foremost, a distinction should be pointed out. The BMW X3 is a Sport Activity Vehicle®, while the Audi Q5 is merely a luxury crossover. While that may not seem like much of a difference, trust us when we say it plays a big part in how the new BMW X3 handles as compared to the Audi Q5.

However, when it comes right down to it, performance largely comes down to power delivery, and in that regard, the new 2019 BMW X3 absolutely excels. With up to 355 horsepower available, the BMW X3 leaves the Audi Q5 with its 248-horsepower output firmly in the rearview mirror.

Interior

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that's especially true with automotive interior design. That said, it's hard to deny that both the 2019 BMW X3 and 2019 Audi Q5 are handsomely appointed cars when you slip inside. With high-quality materials throughout and easy-to-love touches like panoramic sunroofs on their equipment lists, these two vehicles rank at the very highest echelons of luxury.

But as usual, the 2019 BMW X3 comes out on top. You see, with the BMW X3, you get more interior materials to choose from, ranging from simulated leather upholstery to genuine leather upholstery. With the 2019 Audi Q5, you're stuck with standard leather upholstery, and while that may seem like a benefit, it's not actually.

You see, sunny climates like the one we enjoy here in the greater San Antonio area and leather upholstery don't really get along, given that leather upholstery dries out and loses its luster easily if exposed to high temperatures and direct sunlight for extended periods of time. This means that if you opt for the Audi Q5, you're going to be pouring a lot of money into treating and protecting those leather seats in the long run, rather than just enjoying your car.

Luggage Space

One of the other key ways that the BMW X3 eclipses the Audi Q5 is in terms of luggage space. After all, it is a Sports Activity Vehicle, and if the activities you're undertaking require outdoor gear, you're going to need a place to put it. Fortunately, whether it's large luggage for your next business trip or or some golf bags and cleats for your next trip out to the links, you'll find it hard to fill the 62.7 cubic-feet of cargo space in the BMW X3 to the brim.

Unfortunately for 2019 Audi Q5 owners, the rear quarters are decidedly more cramped. With just 53.1 cubic-feet of cargo space, the Audi Q5 lags behind BMW once again.

See how the new 2019 BMW X3 fares firsthand with a test drive at BMW of San Antonio

There's never been a good substitute for a test drive, so if you're interested in the new 2019 BMW X3, we'd encourage you to come visit us at our San Antonio, TX dealership to try one out for yourself today.