Special Offers
16th October 2020 
9 min read 
If you’re looking for a new SUV, Audi likely has something that’ll suit your needs.
Whether it’s for pottering around town, hauling bulky items or simply enjoying the prowess of a bigger car, the four-ringed Germans will have a vehicle that satisfies your craving.
SUVs have become one of the most popular car types on the road, and Audi’s prestigious marque often offers something very few others can.
But which is the best? Well, to find that out, we have to take a deeper look at each model.
The Audi SUV Range
- Audi A1 Citycarver
- Audi Q2 – Lease From £236 Monthly
- Audi Q3 – Lease From £317 Monthly
- Audi Q3 Sportback – Lease From £337 Monthly
- Audi Q5 – Lease From £404 Monthly
- Audi Q7 – Lease From £537 Monthly
- Audi Q8 – Lease From £684 Monthly
- Audi e-tron – Lease From £508 Monthly
Audi A1 Citycarver SUV
Best Audi SUV for tight parking
Not the best Audi SUV for practicality or off-roading
It’s debatable whether the Audi A1 Citycarver falls under the title of SUV. If anything, it’s a crossover. But it has all the hallmarks of a sports utility vehicle.
It features a higher ride height that its conventional namesake, albeit by only four centimetres, black plastic wheel arches, protective front and end plates under the car in case you fancy taking it off-road and the same hexagonal grille you find in the more conventional big Audis.
And although it’s still very much a small car, the A1 Citycarver has its own unique suspension and is packed full of high-end tech.
MMI Touch, rear parking sensors, pre-sense front with passenger recognition, cruise control and lane departure warning all come as standard in the one and only Citycarver trim.
Under the bonnet, you have two petrol engine choices – a 1.0-litre turbo or a 1.5-litre turbo. They produce 114bhp and 148bhp respectively and come with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox.
From new, the A1 Citycarver comes with a choice of eight colours, a 335-litre boot and will cover 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds.
Audi Q2 SUV
Best Audi SUV for driving around town
Not the best Audi SUV for standard equipment
The Audi Q2 is a road-focussed SUV which takes its underpinnings from the A3 hatchback.
Although it belongs to the Audi SUV family, much like the A1 Citycarver, its primary purpose isn’t for scaling the green hills of Wales or muddy trenches of an off-road circuit.
As only the most powerful models come with the Audi quattro four-wheel-drive system, the Q2 is better suited for suburban and city streets.
However, it does still feature a lot of the bells and whistles found in its bigger siblings.
Rear parking sensors, Audi pre-sense front, cruise control and hill-hold assist all come as standard on the entry-level Technik. With the top-spec – the Black Edition – featuring bigger alloys, sat-nav, sports seats and multi-driving modes.
The Audi Q2 is set to be upgraded in 2021, which will likely bring with it a new cabin, exterior design tweaks and probably some more economical engines.
As it stands, there are six engines to choose from, two diesel and four petrol – including the 298bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre found in the SQ2.
Audi Q3 SUV
Best Audi SUV for day-to-day living
Not the best Audi SUV for fun behind the wheel
The Audi Q3 is another SUV based on the successful A3. Its taller ride height and higher centre of gravity make it more comfortable off-road, but much of what makes the hatchback great translates to the SUV namesake.
Grip, both off and on-road is available in copious amounts, as is modern styling and luxurious interior.
As standard in the Q3, you can expect LED headlights, sat-nav, Audi’s virtual cockpit and 17-inch alloys. Meanwhile, at the top of the range; the Vorsprung, there’s chunkier 20-inch rims, upgraded headlights, adaptive suspension, sportier styling and a load of extra driving aids.
There are seven engines to choose from with the Q3 – three diesel and four petrol including the monstrous 398bhp RSQ3. And all of the Q3’s powertrains are turbocharged for increased efficiency.
Audi Q3 Sportback SUV
Best Audi SUV for compact styling
Not the best Audi SUV for rear space
The Audi Q3 Sportback is, as the name would suggest, a sportier version of the standard Q3.
The main differences include a sloping roofline, which looks great but does hamper practicality somewhat, and a better standard spec compared to its boxier sibling.
At entry-level – the Sport – 18-inch alloys, sat-nav with Audi’s virtual cockpit, sportier looks and a commodity of driving aids come at no extra cost.
While at the top of the range, 20-inch alloys upgraded headlights, improved suspension, sportier seats and dual-zone climate control all feature.
Like the Q3, there is also an RSQ3 Sportback option, which, in Vorsprung form, grants even larger 21-inch wheels, extra tech, sportier looks and a more powerful engine.
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Audi Q5 SUV
Best Audi SUV for all-round practicality
Not the best Audi SUV for seven seats
The Q5 emphasises Audi’s USP. It’s less expensive than its prestige competitors without a noticeable drop in quality.
Although there’s no seven-seat option – as you find in other SUVs of a similar size – it’s still spacious and extremely practical for a family of five.
It also comes with a lot of equipment as standard, too. Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system is available across the range, and in the entry-level Sport, there are LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, upgraded sat-nav and virtual cockpit, three-zone climate control, sports seats and a helpful 40:20:40 rear-seat split.
With the Q5, it’s also the first time we’re introduced to a plug-in hybrid engine option in the Audi SUV range.
A combination of petrol and electric – which can be recharged in two-and-a-half hours from a 7kW home box – produces almost 300bhp; about 50bhp shy of the most powerful powertrain available.
Audi Q7 SUV
Best Audi SUV for luxury
Not the best Audi SUV for tight parking
The Audi Q7 is the German manufacturer’s flagship luxury SUV. Since its introduction, it’s held the title as one of, if not the best big SUV in the world.
And when you take a look at the details, it’s not too difficult to see why.
The Q7 comes as standard with seven seats situated in two rows which can each be lowered separately.
On top of that, there’s also copious amounts of space for both driver and passengers – which makes sense when you consider the big Audi is five metres long.
There’s also 19-inch alloy wheels, upgraded navigation and virtual cockpit, air suspension and Matrix LED headlights, all of which feature on the ‘entry-level’ Sport.
Inside, you’re cocooned in plush leather, surrounded by an array of technical driver aids, such as parking assist, cruise control and pre-sense front, and also have access to two-zone climate control.
In the boot, with the seats up you have as much space as a Ford Fiesta. But with them all down, that increases to a monstrous 1,955 litres – which is more than a Volvo XC90.
Under the bonnet, there are two diesel and two petrol engines to choose from – including the over-500 bhp V8 SQ7 powertrain – alongside a plug-in hybrid option.
Audi Q8 SUV
Best Audi SUV for styling
Not the best Audi SUV for value for money
The Audi Q8 is a sportier-styled, more aggressive take on the Q7.
Although it uses the same underpinnings, the standard Q8 comes with better equipment than the entry-level Q7.
Bigger alloys – 21-inch rather than 19-inch, side ventilation grilles and a sloped roofline with rear spoiler complete the imposing silhouette.
Of course, with the lower roof comes less accessibility, meaning there’s only enough space for five seats in the Q8, rather than the seven you get in the Q7.
But as standard, there’s still the best sat-nav and digital cockpit Audi provide, alongside park assist, cruise control, lane assist and sports suspension.
At the top end of the range; the RSQ8, there’s upgraded electronic air suspension, a head-up display, front, rear and side pre-sense and two high-definition touchscreens.
As standard, the Q8 comes with a choice between one petrol and one diesel engine. That’s added to further up the trim levels until you reach the most powerful 4.0-litre V8 turbocharged petrol powertrain pumping out almost 600bhp.
Audi e-tron SUV
Best Audi SUV for zero-emissions driving
Not the best Audi SUV for practicality
The Audi e-tron is the German manufacturer’s only all-electric vehicle (so far).
It’s based on the same underpinnings as the Q7 – and the Q8 in sportback form – but there’s no seven-seat option in the zero-emissions model.
However, despite the absence of two extra seats, the e-tron still makes plenty of headlines.
As standard, you get LED headlights, 20-inch alloys, top-of-the-range sat-nav and virtual cockpit, electronic air suspension and touchscreen two-zone climate control.
In the highest trim level – the Vorsprung – there’s bigger wheels, more driving aids, such as 360-degree parking – and sportier leather seats.
And as it’s an all-electric car, the e-tron comes with more legroom than the conventional Q7 or Q8, as there’s no need for a driveshaft tunnel.
There are two powertrain options in the e-tron, producing either 180 or 233 miles of range, and both take around 50 minutes to top up using a 150kW fast-charger.
Find Your Audi
If you’re still unsure which Audi SUV is right for you, we can help. Visit our dedicated Audi page by clicking the button below, or get in touch.
