Which Audi Q series is the best?
Got your heart set on an Audi SUV? We’ve outlined exactly what makes every Audi Q model different
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So, you’ve decided you want four rings at the end of your bonnet, but you’re not sure which Audi model you want. Fortunately, Audi has divided its range into A and Q series.
If you’re considering an Audi model that begins with a Q, then you’ll be looking at one of the German brand’s SUVs.
Audi sells SUVs to cater to most needs, starting from a small, sporty-looking crossover that shares its parts with the A3 hatchback to a large seven-seater SUV.
Audi Q2
 "Audi Q2")
The Audi Q2 is the smallest Audi Q model you can buy, and it’s similar in size and shape to the BMW X2.
Because it’s based on the Audi A3, you can expect to find the same range of efficient engines, including 1.0-litre, 1.4-litre, and 1.5-litre petrol engines, and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines.
The more powerful engines are also available with four-wheel drive, but think of this as adding extra grip in slippery conditions rather than giving the car any real off-roading abilities.
If you’ve got a taste for speed, the SQ2 model borrows the same 300hp engine used in the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R.
Audi Q3
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Despite being mechanically similar to the Q2, the Q3 looks substantially larger without having an impact on how easy it is to drive through lanes and park in the supermarket.
Like many other Audi models, there’s also a Sportback version. From the front, both models look the same, but the Q3 Sportback has a sportier-looking sloping roofline at the back.
This is the smallest Audi Q model to be available with a plug-in hybrid power option, where a full charge could get you around 30 miles of electric-only motoring.
There’s no S version, but there’s an even quicker RS Q3 with a five-cylinder engine that really does sound the part.
Audi Q4 e-tron
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The Audi Q4 is the smallest electric SUV you can buy from Audi – in fact, it’s actually the smallest electric car from the entire Audi range.
Like the Q3, there are normal and sportier-looking Sportback versions, but the Sportback models are slightly efficient thanks to improved aerodynamics, which really counts in the world of electric motoring.
There’s a range of power options available with rear- and all-wheel drive, and the larger of the two batteries can do more than 300 miles on a full charge in the right conditions.
If the idea of an electric SUV has you captivated but you can’t find an Audi Q4 e-tron to suit your budget or needs, consider the Volkswagen ID.4 or Skoda Enyaq, which both use the same motors and batteries.
Audi Q5
 "Audi Q5")
Up until this point, Audi’s SUVs have belonged to the smaller category known as ‘crossovers’. The Q5, however, is a full-size SUV capable of handling itself on some properly rough terrain.
Depending on which version you choose, there are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, but you’ll have to make do with four-wheel drive only, which does affect its efficiency.
With the rear seats in their normal position, the 550-litre boot matches the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, but the Jaguar F-Pace does have more space.
Audi Q7
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This is the largest SUV you can buy from Audi, and one of the largest of any manufacturer at more than five metres long, so take note if you often find yourself in tight spaces.
Its size does have its benefits, though, such as its ability to tow very heavy trailers and caravans up to 3.5 tonnes.
Efficiency suffers, and you might not see much more than 30mpg from the diesel models, but there are petrol- and diesel-powered plug-in hybrids to choose from if this is a concern.
The third row of seats is best reserved for children, but there’s more room here than you might find in seven-seat versions of the BMW X5. A Land Rover Discovery has more space, though.
Audi Q8
 "Audi Q8 exterior looks")
There are two versions of the Audi Q8 – the first is a luxurious and sporty version of the Q7 with space for up to five.
It’s a great pick for turning heads because you don’t tend to see many on the roads, but you can usually find used models to pick from with quick delivery.
A pair of performance versions are available if you’re serious about turning heads, each using a 4.0-litre V8 engine with up to 600hp in the form of the RS Q8.
Audi Q8 e-tron
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In 2022, Audi changed the name of its e-tron SUV to the Q8 e-tron, tweaking its styling and other aspects in the process.
Ultimately, it fills the same boots as the previous e-tron and takes on the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC.
Drive it carefully and you should be able to get more than 300 miles on a full charge, which makes it a more usable electric SUV than the Jaguar.
There are sporty S versions, but really, many buyers will be happy with the performance offered by standard versions thanks to how responsive electric motors are.
Audi e-tron
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As mentioned above, Audi doesn’t sell the e-tron anymore after rebadging it, but this remains an important model in the brand’s lineup because it was the first electric Audi.
Technically speaking, it’s not part of the Q series, but it’s worth mentioning that buying one of these used will be cheaper than buying an Audi Q8 e-tron simply based on age.
Don’t be discouraged by all of this, though, because the e-tron still features all the car tech you’d hope to find in a car of this calibre.