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2025 BMW X3 M50 vs Audi SQ5 vs AMG GLC 43 // DRAG RACE & Review
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- Published on Jan 19, 2026
- The 2025 BMW X3 M50 ($75,900 CAD, $64,700 USD starting), the 2025 Audi SQ5 ($78,700 CAD, $64,800 USD starting) and the 2025 AMG GLC 43 ($82,500 CAD, $72,900 USD starting) have lined up for a drag race. Both the X3 M50 and the SQ5 are all-new for this year, with the Audi packing a bigger punch than before and rocking a brand new platform. The BMW has seen a major styling makeover inside and out and has updated some fun bits like the powertrain. And the AMG may have the smallest engine with just 4 cylinders, but it has the most horsepower at a whopping 416. Who do you think will win? Thomas and James are excited to find out! We hope you enjoy the episode. Subscribe!
Videography: Karston Chong and Daniel Mason
Editing: Karston Chong
Sound: Harrison Dickson and Karston Chong
Magical Genius Logistics Planners: James Engelsman and Joey Alford
Was present: Thomas Holland
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#BMW #Audi #AMG 
Autos & Vehicles
I'm honestly finding it more difficult to get excited about new cars with each passing year
Esp seeing this x3s interior vs the older. Oof.
Likewise. Quality goes down, gimmicky nonsense and price go up.
Same!!
De même, c'est devenu de la merde.
Yeah, they’re all at least 200 more horsepower than you’ll use most of the time, about a thousand pounds heavier than the upper limits of nimble, and stuffed full of features which always feel like a beta test and you’ll wind up turning them off or just not using.
I’m waiting for someone to rediscover the luxury of something made with clarity of vision, quality construction, simple tactility, and light weight. Until then, all the prices of used, clean sports cars from the early 2000’s are just going to keep skyrocketing.
Harrison's ability to convey backseat comfort through facial gestures and shimmying about is unsurpassed
Fact!
If only bmws designers were as talented as its engineers
RIGHT. FFS.
It used to be the case 😢
I as a bmw fangirl love the direction they take. Y’all always hate it then it grows on you. 😊🤷🏽♀️😌
That’s where they save money. High noob designers and pro engineers😂
@LafemmebearMusic How long has it been since the reveal of the G80 and G82? How long is it growing on me supposed to take?
Never have I ever thought car journalists would have a hard time picking a favourite interior like it's choosing the least terrible punishment. 😂
All three look feckin dreadful to me.
Jesus thank you for calling out the red bar and the S on the Audi.
The old badge looked SO good and this looks like the temu version
I’m so mad about their new badge font and badging. It’s absolutely hideous and no one asked for it. They better listen and put the old badge font/badging back on, including the old rings.
Change for sake of change. Just like hideous BMW grills.
Not only that but Audi has started to cheap out quite a lot as well. I think the previous generation is better also look at the brakes on this one. On the previous gen even in the small engines you had big calipers on the front with 4 pistons on this one you can see they are single pot now....
I would de-badge instantly as an option.
As a B8.5 SQ5 owner, I'm glad I'm sticking with it.
Holy crap just read the news about you guys and Grand Tour, this is what your fans have been hoping for you and the team for YEARS.
Big congrats and well deserved.
Never beat the original trio tho
7:19 it’s like those letter magnets that your child would put on the fridge
Audi's reputation is forever tarnished lol
And those look better
Audi changing the integrated bar with the R or S lettering is some serious negligence, then factor in removing the S & RS badges from the front grill...what TF are those clowns doing?? The front RS badge is essential equipment for an RS certainly & probably for an S too.
Perfect comparison
Awful
The guy that looks like the shoe 😂😂😂…… I cannot unsee it now!
I realize it's so common to hate on the new BMW designs for a while now, but my god, how do they keep getting worse?
Keep getting worse? As in multiple generations? If that’s what you meant, you’re incorrect. The previous gen x3 was great looking better than previous generations m, same goes for 2 series, m2, 3 series m3 (although debatable) 4 series m4, 5 series m5.
Nothing new BMWs have been hated like this for decades.
The Audi is barely new and so is the Merc.
@Bimmer_BillI think they were referring to the overall design language of new bmws like 7 series, xm, etc, not the previous x3.
you get a beaver from the front and sid from the back
@hannes6114Capybara, get it straight. And Sid, I do not see Sid, maybe your eyes need checking!
You are 100% spot on with regards to the BMW interior! Recently my wife and I have started looking for a replacement for her 2019 X3 and the second we got into the new X3, we were SHOCKED! Not is a good way, it does look cheap as crap! The X3 is no longer an option for us.
Get her x5. Don't be cheap
Agreed! I went 2022 VERY low KM and loved it! A truck hit it a week ago and it's a write off…Will try to fined a 2022 - 2024 but NEVER ever dream of getting a 2025…hideous, cheap, ugly…you name it!
Why are you getting a new x3 after just 6 years?
@BM12684we don’t live forever. 6 years is enough
@Guy-wc3joYeah! Losing tens of thousands of dollars every 6 years is great!
James, you put Vaseline on your camera?
I put Vaseline on everything. It’s delicious
He was sweating
he prolly knocked a quick one out lol
I couldn't decide if it was that or if the Merc just has the worst ride quality ever
On both 😁
you guys are absolutely right! all have gone backwards, but BMW in particular
Design, BMW?
yeah but fortunately their performance is so far beyond their class.
@stevem2323yup looks shit nowadays
Naah audi and merc more
100k for a 4 cylinder is some nasty work!
Prices for an e-class is even more insane imo
Yeah but they look & go great. I have my 25 plate RS5 Vorsprung for some fun & the GLC for the more mundane stuff ie tip runs, shopping, transporting family/friends etc.
The Volvo XC90 also has a 4 cylinder.
And the Volvo is way bigger and heavier.
You don’t hear anyone crying over the Volvo…
Only caring about the number engine cylinders has become the new cringe calling card for annoying car guys. Go buy a ww2 plane engine then.
Just read the news that you guys will be hosting the next Grand Tour. That is awesome. Congratulations
18:29 so my biggest take away from this review: just buy a Golf R
My biggest takeaway is keep my 2020 X3 M40 for as long as possible. Shitification + inflation isn’t compelling for buyers.
Rumor is y'all are 2 of the 3 new hosts of the grand tour
Karston locked in per-usual😂
Congrats on Hosting The Grand Tour guys!!!
2:42 Cat with post poop zoomies. Felt that as owner of 3 cats 🤣
I almost spit out my banana when I heard this. The image was so crisp and clear in my mind.
Is it true you guys are gonna be the new hosts for The Grand Tour?
It's crazy how BMW Designers are able to reliably lower the bar with each new design, even if you think they reached rock bottom a long time ago...
I mean yeah the last couple generations were bad but idk what you mean by thinking they hit rock bottom a long time ago. Every generation of bmw until the g series has been some of the best looking cars on the road.
It’s crazy cuz it’s reverse for me bmws always aged poorly to me and now I’m the biggest fan
That is just your opinion!
To me, BMW has never had the best interiors. I like them, I own a couple and peak BMW was the G05/G07 (I own a G05). BMW interiors have always been industrial looking.
TubezillaIt is NOT greed. There is A LOT that goes into it. Germany has been going through a few issues in the last few years. Stop being so simple minded. Also you DO NOT have to buy the cars.
Wait until the Neue Klasse crap comes out, the bar gets even lower.
B58 is literally the best engine in the whole car world
It really is but it is now hard to buy a nice quality BMW with the B58 in it.
x4 m40i is still in production. ;)
It sure is. I’ve been saying this for 8 years. Unfortunately the design, fit and finish in these modern cars is no longer available to buy.
@mbdint and that's a good looking car ? Lol
@mbdintIndeed, that is the best nowadays
Many years ago, fresh out of tech school, I was in the Audi factory training program. The facility had a fleet of cars for training purposes. Some of these cars had been pre-production engineering mules and had unfinished interiors. Like, the door cards and dash elements were largely blank and unembellished plastic panels with no leather trim or soft touch points which would, of course, be present in the final production models. And bits and pieces didn’t fit anymore because they had been taken apart so many times, or they were thinner and more rattly than they’d be in a finished car, etc. they covered the guts and the structure, and that was enough for the tester vehicle for whatever step of engineering they were at.
That’s how that BMW interior looks.
Jesus CHRIST, that is scathing. I don't doubt it's true, though. It seems the only thing BMW does well anymore is the powertrain.
@LanguagesWithAndrewAny time I interact with a contemporary Audi, BMW, or Merc, I can’t help but get the impression that the vehicle is designed primarily to be leased and not owned for really any more than five years. They probably figured out the behaviors of their main customers and maybe turned away from the truth that everyone knows: there are more used cars on the road than new, and the condition of those used cars and the kinds of people who drive them are an essential part of the perception of and aspiration towards owning them new.
I leased an SQ5 in 2021 and it was initially very nice, but it aged REALLY rapidly.
@LanguagesWithAndrew They have oil leaks like in one year
That's because today minimalism is green, quirky and liberal. Young zoomers like cheapness. Get used to increased costs and reduced quality.
As someone living in bavaria who can drive always the newest bmws and sometimes aufis...
Wtf are u talking. Aufis have a way cheaper interior. Lot of screens with bad controlls, and a lot of hard plastic😂
15:50 “We’ve done some back seat testing”. 😂😂😂😂
Oh Daddy’s back. I mean Father. I mean… congratulations Thomas 🎉
Nice try Diddy
Oooooh Brother THIS GUY STNKKKSS
What's going on here? 👀
Congrats you guys!!! Going to watch the hell out of the new grand tour!
Is the lead designer at BMW trolling? Every new gen BMW looks like an affront to god.
It’s because they need to keep their jobs and compete with who has more tech with huge screens.
Sadly people will buy them and they will only keep making them like this.
@ryanb8736That doesn't excuse the hideous exterior. I don't know how this design got approved.
lol! i saw the BMW and i told myself "that thing is ugly as god.... and yes, god is ugly"
Not the x5m that has a perfect grill
Congratulations on the grand tour gig. Can't think of anybody better
The interior quality has definitely dropped off. They no longer feel like premium
And stupid people will spend 100k on them anyway just for the badge.
Gotta go Genesis for best interior now
8:58 James said controversy wrong on purpose, to start a controversy and it didn’t lead to anything so I’m pointing it out to be pointlessly controversial.
Those intrusive voice command features are nightmare fuel.
i hope Throttle House gets to make a ZR1 review
I cackled out loud in my car alone at the leprosy joke. 😂
I literally remembered watching these dudes a while back and thought of them immediately when they said they would be getting new presenters for the grand tour congratulations
"Enshitening!" Brilliant! Pretty much all cars these days...
Not only cars... almost everything it seems.
@val_solooo I can't disagree!
James had the term right... "enshittification" coined by Cory Doctorow some years back. It's a sad state of affairs, but happens over and over in all areas of business it seems.
All I'm saying is ever since AI got introduced everything has gotten shittier
Wiat whaaaaaaat. Did you just said you guys have done "some backseat testing" 😳😂
"Yes, this is a $100,000 four-cylinder SUV" Oof, not for my money, it isn't.
Also: what a filthy camera!
had to blur how awful the interior is in X3
The Volvo XC90 also has a 4 cylinder engine. And it’s way bigger and heavier.
You don’t hear a single one of those crybabies when Volvo does it…
@Tobi-ln9xrwho buys volvos?
F off it has better quality than those two at least better than merc@Patchuk
great video guys ! totally enjoy it !
what BMW has done with the design of the X3 is pure shame.
It’s why I went with an X1 M35 instead, looks way better IMO than any of the 3s
Thanks, Dukec and Hooydonk.
x-drive is now a total abomination too.
Correction. Of every BMW
It looks great on the road.
3:43 seeing James in the background 😂
Came here just to see your take on the X3 interior. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks it's absolutely horrendous. 😂
Congratulations on The Grand Tour, so we'll deserved 👏🏻👏🏻
The “not dead yet” Porsche Macan GTS for the win!
Harrison's emotes are always so cute.
I've had the chance to drive the new X3 diesel at work and some of the plastics in the interior feel worse than the ones my dad has in his 22 kia rio
lol yikes
We’ve got Kia Ceed combi once for long road trip, it was amazing for the class of the vehicle.
Which part of the interior?
@M4rt_FX The lower part of the door and center console. And some touch controls.
Your problem is that you listen too much to the car journalist into an extent that it clouds your judgement cause all that you've said here is not from your own mind but the information you consumed from the media. If you could afford anything without the plastic you're talking about you wouldn't even make that comment cause you wouldn't have even watched this video cause the people that affords cars without those plastics don't even dare watch anything Lee's than average as they go for the Rolls Royce or a Bentley or something else in that class. So stop complaining cause you don't even afford this car even for a fact that you compare it with a Kia tells a different story about your pocket power.
When are you doing a review of the ZR1?
The drag race nobody is asking for, but if it’s TH, I click.
Congratulations on being the new Grand Tour hosts!!
I loved how Thomas just had to destroy the kerning on that Audi typeface. MORE typography critique on this channel.
there's something so unhinged about this vid. and i'm here for it.
Laser tag gun rack! Perfect analogy
You guys should show the interiors at night time too on these cars so we can see the ambient lighting please
Yay Throttle House Drag race is finally back
You guys are the new Grand Tour hosts???? Big shoes. Good luck.
Someone at BMW is definitely doing this on purpose
Just heard the Grand Tour news. AWESOME. You deserve it. Looking forward to more adventures.
Good to see james using budget camera gear again. Very grounded indie feel.
“I’ll take the psoriasis please” 😂😂😂
Another great review and drag guys.
At the risk of offending people who view cars very differently than i do: these vehicles are the perfect embodiment of the total enshittening of everything
I am shaking my head in disgust since the start of the video, you sir, spoke only facts, we must be at the break poing, this must come to an end😢
words of wisdom
No,Toyota prius is. Its drivers smell their own farts - it has been scientifically proven in South Park.
You're spot on.
Pure garbage
You’ve encapsulated my thoughts perfectly. Thank you.
For some reason I love this x3 exterior better than older version.
Welcome back Thomas - and well done James!
Where have the hot laps gone. Come one guys track these things
Can t believe that the interior on the new rav4 gr looks better than the one on a x3 m…
Edit
The exterior looks better aswell…what the hell…just put the b58 in the gr rav🤣
That GR rav4 is probably better overall than the X3 for any buyer who's honest with themselves. The B58 X3 is only truly better in a straight line, but if you care that much, might as well buy a sedan instead.
It really doesn’t.
@kraenk12i m sorry to say cuz i m a bmw fan…i like all cars in general…but be serious…you won t find on any higher price toyota, plastics that sound as bad AS those buttons on the X3 door. What the hll are those common…is like twice the price…look how thomas pressed the buttons on the door. It is hilarious😂😂😂😂SO crap…
@val7deva stelvio looks a lot better and for the price of that bmw you can get a Qv….much faster, way more fun
FFFFFF off! No way shitty toyota looks better
Congrats on GT!!! So stoked for you guys!
Huuge CONGRATS to you guys!!! Can´t wait to embark on many grand tours with you for many years :)
So confused clicking on this and it not being CarWow hahaha
I'm so happy with my 2020 X3 M40I.
The best.. it can even win this race
True winner here, DING DING DING!!! BIG W! You took the final good version out of BMW.
I miss my 2019 X3 M40i. Now I’m in a 2025 M340i
@leo.automotivenot a fan of the m340i? I’m on the fence for my next car either that or a S5 sportback. Performance isn’t my main thing I’m looking for but it’s a plus, I want comfort in my day to day commutes
@leo.automotivewhy do you miss it?
Congrats on The Grand Tour!
Outstanding job Harrison love you champ you are tremendous
James is the "Technologia" voice going around, change my mind
4:36 cringe car voice assistants 😂
New Grand Tour guys 🎉🎉
Bless Harrison -- I'm 6'4" and never have a clue if I'd fit in the back seat of a car unless I go test it myself. And so random how large cars sometimes have worse headroom than small ones!
Agree. New LC300 is a joke for a massive car
like a cat that's got post shit zoomies😂
Dang boys welcome back
Congrats on the new gig! 🎉
Either BMW fired all their designers and let the engineers design the car, and need to re-hire the designers, or they need to let go their entire design department and start over.
I said nearly the same thing lol. These new BMWs are insane performance machines, but good god are they hideous!
they actually fired the Head designer last year i think. Looks like it hasn't got any better tho
Makes you wonder how a big luxury vehicle manufacturer like BMW get it so wrong when it comes to car design for so many years, and it doesn't seem to be improving.
@emmakeuken7436Yea, it’s gotten worse. The new M3 looks like a big boat, more boaty than the 6 series. And it’s horrible
They sent him to Rolls Royce actually. But the fact is that designs are locked in well in advance before the car is launched. So whatever we are seeing right now are those very designs. As a BMW fan, I really hope they fix all the things that have gone wrong recently with the upcoming Neue Klasse design language and go back to creating functional yet usable interiors. Having an iPad glued to the dash is fine as long as it doesn't take the whole driving experience out of the equation. Having physical controls is always better than having to fiddle with the screen for something as simple as setting the temperature.
Congratulations on the new gig, guys! I can't wait to see what you do with it! Well deserved!
Someone once told me - if you’re buying an expensive unreliable car, make sure you love how it looks. I still sometimes glance back for an extra look at my sq5. Somehow this makes me more ok with spending $2000 to replace the pcv valve for the second time in 40,000km.
I'd forgotten how good your videos are. Regardless of the automotive content, its your sense of humour and sarcasm that brings me back for more. I'm luvin it!
To be honest, I like new BMW interiors, the 5, 3, 7 series for example
Karston cameo should be more often.
Holy shit, I just saw the news about GT. Congratulations...? I've been following this channel quietly for 6 years or so... I can't believe it... It's the best fit to take over from the three guys. You absolutely bring the same spirit (but maybe a little less crankily) that they did to your channel... It's part of the reason I started following you two! Looking forward to what comes next.
Just saw the news and just came here to see if people are already talking about it 😄. Couldn't believe it when I read the names of the new hosts.
OMG me too! Hoping the boys will have something to say about it later today. How about it James and Thomas? Fill us in!
Just saw this on fb and came over straight away to see if the boys had made a video!
This will be really cool! Can’t wait - BUT - I also don’t want to lose the channel content, so please keep this going!
As for all the haters in the future - don’t let the bastards grind you down! You guys will be a great trio with the trainspotter guy 🔥🔥
so glad these guys got it, been hoping silently so not to jinx it 😂.
But right now there isn't anyone i can think of that is a better fit for the show. Really looking forward to seeing these two unleashed with Grand Budgets and support... Going to be hilarious.
I just hope they find a way to keep the skits going.
What is GT? Who are "three guys?" I'm a big Throttle House fan but I have no idea what this comment thread is talking about. Please help.
Congratulations guys! Looking forward to seeing you folks on the telly.
“I was off the line like a cat that’s got post-poop zoomies.” Thomas Holland 2025 🐱 💩
The enshitification mention was BASED
10:13 we got daddy saying Uuwu before gta5
Thomas is a secret weeb confirmed
6*
Love it that you guys do an honest comparison test!!! Such a good job
If you want to see them go even faster, race their depreciation rates against eachother 😂
You lease these. I think your brain needs to be smooth to finance one
New X3 design is lit. Love it.
Nice to see Thomas back 👍👍
Thanks for not making volcano review videos! Not sure were all ready for that
1:40 Bro Been Beefing with audi that dont listen
It went over their heads 🤣🤣🤣💯
Should’ve had the new 2026 GV70 3.5 in this test too!
I've been saying for years that you guys are the spiritual successors to Top Gear... turns out you're the actual successors too. Congratulations! So well deserved.
I find hilarious how my phone stopped streaming to my TV as soon as they got inside the X3
I was holding out for the G45. After the design was revealed, especially the interior, I went and picked up one of the last of the G01 lci M40s. I have since had the chance to test drive this new M50 and while the engine and ride is excellent (not so different from my M40), the interior is just terrible for me. It feels more like a Nissan X-Trail than an X3. My M40 came with the sports seats, and the entire interior just feels a class or two above the new model. The exterior is subjective, and maybe it will grow on me, but as of now, I much prefer the G01. I think I’ll be hanging onto this for a while…
"Enshitification"... a new word added to the dictionary
It would be nice to see a battle between that X3 and Macan!
So, beauty and the beast?
yeah unless they pit it against the electric one, then it'd be the...beast and the beast?
It's about time we got another drag race!!!!