Audi Q2 vs BMW X3

Audi Q2

Audi’s compact crossover.

BMW X3

BMW’s mid-size premium SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q2

Pick the Q2 for a compact, agile premium SUV with efficient engines.

Best engine: The 30/35 TFSI (petrol).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW X3

Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The 20i (petrol) or 20d (diesel).

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi Q2	BMW X3
Power	150 hp	184 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	290 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,5 s	8,3 s Winner
Top speed	211 km/h	215 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	111,1 hp/t Winner	105,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	128 g/km Winner	154 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,6 L/100km Winner	6,8 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q2	BMW X3
Boot	405 L	550 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.050 L	1.600 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,60 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,19 m	4,71 m
Width	1,79 m	1,89 m
Height	1,51 m	1,68 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q2	BMW X3
Platform	MQB A1 (transverse, shared with the VW T-Roc)	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI	B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	8-speed automatic (ZF)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q2

DQ200 service (lower-power cars)
Cooling system needs checking
DPF on diesels
Suspension wear

BMW X3

EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage

Pros

Audi Q2

Compact & manoeuvrable
Efficient engines
Modern tech

BMW X3

Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
Strong, efficient B-series engines

Cons

Audi Q2

Relatively small boot
Rear seat tighter than larger SUVs

BMW X3

Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
Pricier than most rivals

Driving experience

Audi Q2

Comfortable, quiet and more premium than its size suggests. The Q2 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting, rides firmly but acceptably, and feels planted and easy to place. Front-drive versions are efficient; quattro adds strong traction on the 2.0-litre cars. The 1.5 TFSI is smooth and willing, the 2.0 TDI is the economical distance choice, and the 2.0 TFSI adds genuine pace. The S tronic is quick. It is a polished, techy small crossover that trades a little boot and rear space for a more premium feel than the T-Cross.

BMW X3

Poised, accurate and remarkably car-like for an SUV. Steering is quick, well-weighted and precise, body control taut, and the X3 corners with the composure of a lower, lighter car. xDrive brings tenacious all-weather grip and a neutral, rear-biased balance, while the rare sDrive is lighter and more playful. Adaptive suspension keeps it composed on rough roads, if a touch firm on big wheels. The B48/B58 petrols are smooth and eager, the B47/B57 diesels pull strongly and stay hushed, and the xDrive30e plug-in glides on electric power. The ZF 8-speed is quick, seamless and always in the right gear. Overall a polished, driver-focused SUV that shrinks around you on a good road.