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2021 Audi Q5 Sportback line up

Audi SUV models – a buyer's guide

What’s the difference between Audi’s latest SUV models and which one might be best for you? Here’s our guide to the Audi SUV model range.

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By Cazoo editorial team

Updated: 2 February 2024

An Audi SUV model is a great choice if you’re looking for a stylish, luxurious and family-friendly SUV. Each has a high-quality interior that gives you a real feel-good factor, as well as a solid feel on the road that gives you a lot of confidence whatever the driving conditions. The wide range of models gives you the choice of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or pure-electric power.

Audi makes seven SUV models – Q2, Q3, Q4 e-tron, Q5, Q7, Q8 and the e-tron – offering something for everyone. Generally, the larger the number in the name, the larger the car.

With so many Audi SUV models to choose from, knowing which is right for you could be tricky. Here’s our guide to help you decide.

What’s the smallest Audi SUV model?

The compact Audi Q2 is the smallest SUV Audi makes. It’s similar in size to the Mercedes GLA and Volkswagen T-Roc and has a distinctive look, with sharp lines and the option of contrast-colour styling details. It also has a stylised version of Audi’s familiar hexagonal front grille.

The Audi Q3 is the next-biggest Audi SUV. It’s a great all-rounder, well-suited if you need a bit more space than the Q2 for weekend getaways or hobbies that require a lot of kit. The latest version has generous room for four adults, or five at a pinch, making it a great choice for families.

Audi Q2

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What’s the largest Audi SUV model?

The largest Audi SUV is the Audi Q7. It’s a commanding seven-seater that’s 5.1 metres long, which is roughly the same as a BMW X7 or Range Rover Sport. Among its many high-tech features, most Q7 models have air suspension that gives you and your passengers a comfortable, relaxing ride.

The five-seat Q8 comes next. It’s (very slighlty) shorter and lower than the Q7 and shares many parts with it. The Q8 is both sportier on the outside and more luxurious on the inside than the Q7 – it’s actually positioned as Audi's top-of-the-range model.

Audi Q7

What are the other Audi SUV models?

The pure-electric Audi Q8 e-tron (previously called simply Audi e-tron) is a pure-electric car similar in size to the Q8.

A bit smaller again is the Audi Q5, a mid-size five-seater SUV similar to the BMW X3 or the Volvo XC60. The interior combines premium materials with family-friendly functionality and high-tech equipment. Then there’s the pure-electric Audi Q4 e-tron, which sits between the Q3 and Q5.

What are Audi's Sportback SUV models?

The Audi Q3, Q4 e-tron, Q5 and e-tron are all available as ‘Sportback’ models. Sportback is the term Audi uses for SUVs with sleeker, coupe-like styling rather than the traditional, upright SUV look of the non-Sportback models.

Sportback models look great, but they do cost more and aren’t quite as practical, losing some back seat headroom and, in some cases, boot space.

Audi Q5 Sportback

Which Audi SUV models have seven seats?

If you’ve got a big family and need a seven-seater, there’s only one Audi SUV model for you – the Q7. It has second-row seats that slide backwards and forwards to make access to the third row easy, or increase legroom in one or the other.

The Q7 has Isofix mounts for six child seats, so it’s a top choice for families with lots of youngsters. The boot is quite small with all seven seats in place but you can fold each third-row seat into the boot floor when you don’t need it. This gives you a whopping 865-litre space that’s big enough to fit everything for an adventurous family camping trip.

Audi Q7 third-row seats

Which Audi SUV model is best for dog owners?

With good boot space in all Audi SUV models, you are certain to find the right fit for you and your canine friend. Terriers will be perfectly happy in the Q2 or Q3, while larger dogs like Labradors or even Great Danes will be able to sprawl out in the Q5 or Q7.

The Q5 is a particularly good choice for dog owners. It’s available with a protective rear-seat cover that prevents your dog ruining the upholstery, and a harness which safely secures your dog in the back seat. Audi also offers a range of dog-related, branded accessories if you want to spoil your pooch.

Are there hybrid or electric Audi SUV models?

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Q3, Q5, Q7 and Q8 models are available. They use petrol-electric power and have an official zero-emission, battery-only range of at least 26 miles, depending on the model. Home charging takes a few hours and you can use a smartphone app to remotely set a timer to take advantage of less-costly electricity tariffs.

Audi also offers two pure-electric SUV models. The e-tron has a range of up to 252 miles and can charge from 0-80% battery capacity in 50 minutes. The smaller Q4 e-tron has a range of up to 316 miles, so you can set off on a longer journey without having to worry about running out of charge.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Which Audi SUV model has the biggest boot?

When all the seats are in place, the five-seat Q5 has the biggest boot, with a 610-litre capacity that can easily accommodate two large dogs. The bigger Q7’s boot is only about half that size with its seven seats up, but fold down the rearmost pair and there’s a huge 865-litre space. That’s big enough for a family of five to take two big bags each on holiday.

Audi Q7

Are Audi SUV models good off-road?

Audi SUV models aren’t as capable off-road as Jeeps or Land Rovers but they can hold their own against rival BMW or Mercedes-Benz models thanks to high ground clearance and four-wheel drive on many models. The Q7 and Q5 are most capable, easily handling trails, rough weather conditions and muddy off-roading.

Do all Audi SUV models have four-wheel-drive?

Most Q2, Q3 and Q4 models have two-wheel drive, although high-power models have four-wheel drive, which Audi calls ‘quattro’. Bigger models from the Q5 up have four-wheel drive as standard, which gives you extra reassurance when driving in wet, muddy or icy conditions.

Are there any sporty Audi SUV models available?

Audi has two levels of sporty SUV models available, denoted by the letters ‘S’ or ‘RS’ in their name.

The ‘S’ SUV models are the SQ2, SQ5, SQ7, SQ8 and e-tron S. These have high-performance engines (or electric motors, in the case of the e-tron S) and four-wheel drive as standard. They feel fast and responsive to drive, yet they only look a bit ‘sportier’ than standard models.

The ‘RS’ models are more extreme in both styling and performance. The RS Q3 and RS Q8 can accelerate as fast as some more expensive, more specialised sports cars and they can be great fun on a country road. They’re still practical everyday family cars, but not quite as comfortable due to larger wheels and different suspension that mean you feel bumps in the road more easily.

Audi SUV models in summary:

Audi Q2

The Audi Q2 is the smallest, most cost-effective member of the Audi SUV family. It’s a compact car with urban-chic looks and plenty of space for everyday errands. Running costs are low, too.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is bigger than the Q2, so a more practical family car, especially if you have older children. Yet it’s still small enough for quick parallel parking manoeuvres. The standard model has a more traditional SUV look than the Q2; the Q3 Sportback has sleeker styling.

Audi Q4 e-tron

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a practical, comfortable, mid-size family SUV that's only available with pure-electric power. Some models give a very long range of up to 319 miles, potentially eliminating range anxiety. It's very quiet and relaxing to drive.

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a versatile mid-size SUV that looks great and has a high-quality, high-tech interior, as Audis generally do. It comfortably seats five adults and has a big boot

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is the only seven-seater in Audi’s SUV range. It’s a very big car that has real presence on the road but doesn’t feel intimidating to drive. It’s both powerful and practical and a great option if you have a large family.

Audi Q8

The Q8 is Audi's top-of-the-range SUV, with a luxurious interior filled with every gadget Audi makes. It’s slightly smaller than the Q7 and looks and feels sportier. It’s a great car for long driving holidays.

Audi e-tron

The Audi e-tron (renamed Q8 e-tron in 2022) is a top-of-the-range electric SUV that offers everything you could want in a family-friendly luxury SUV as well as a battery range of up to 252 miles. Wonderfully comfortable to drive, although it takes a bit of getting used to using the rear-view camera screens fitted to some models (instead of door mirrors).

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