Decisions, decisions: the Audi A3 and Q2 are both excellent choices if you want a compact Audi that can still take people and stuff along for the ride.
Both these Audis can be picked up for about the same price as a Volkswagen Golf on the used market, but give you a plusher cabin and a more premium image. They’re very closely matched on paper, but how do they compare in the real world?
Audi A3 vs Audi Q2 compared
| Audi A3 | Audi Q2 |
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Styling
In silhouette, the Audi A3 looks pretty much the same as it always has. It’s a conventional hatchback shape, which risks looking old fashioned in the current market. But Audi has kept the A3 up to date with regular tweaks and evolutions, and it’s still a modern-looking car. Base-spec versions are subdued, while higher-spec versions add eye-catching details.
The Q2 is approaching a decade on sale, and the exterior styling has barely changed in that time. It was designed to be a more youthful-feeling model than the rest of the brand’s lineup, which has worked – it still looks fresh and trendy today.
Interior
Could the A3 exhibit peak Audi interior design? It looks premium and the tech on offer is certain to impress. But it’s really user friendly as well. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials – controlled by the buttons on the left of the steering wheel – give you all the necessary information in easily digestible menus, and lets you have a full-width map view if you want it. This has been an Audi staple since 2014 and we’re still obsessed with it.
If we were to level one complaint at the A3, it’s that the materials are maybe a bit too Volkswagen and not quite Audi enough. There’s a bit too much shiny plastic on display, although everything does feel well put together.
The Q2 uses an older interior design, but it’s still serviceable in a car with premium aspirations. The main clue to its age is that there’s nowhere to put your phone, even though phones were definitely a thing when the Q2 launched.
Until very recently, the Q2 didn’t come with a touchscreen at all. Instead, the infotainment system was controlled with a scroll wheel and a few buttons. This has its pros and cons – you’re not constantly jabbing away at a touchscreen, so it’s easier to use while driving (and stops smudgey fingerprints!), but the software and graphics are clearly a generation or two behind.
Dimensions and practicality
| Audi A3 | Audi Q2 | |
| Length | 4,352mm | 4,208mm |
| Height | 1,441mm | 1,508mm |
| Width (inc mirrors) | 1,984mm | 2,009mm |
| Boot space (seats up/down) | 380/1,200 litres | 405/1,050 litres |
The A3 and Q2 are closely matched in terms of their dimensions, and both are well suited to carrying passengers and a bulky pushchair or a weekly food shop.
The A3’s extra length means it offers slightly better legroom than the Q2, although the Q2 counters with a bit more headroom.
You won’t notice the Q2’s marginal bootspace gain, and the A3’s lower loading height may make it easier to chuck big items into the boot. The A3 also comes as a saloon, which has a larger 425-litre load capacity but has a much smaller boot opening.
Engines
In the Q2, you’ve got a simple choice – a petrol engine with either 116hp (or a figure very close to that) or 150hp. The smaller output engine comes with a manual gearbox, while the 150hp engine unlocks the option of an automatic gearbox. Previously, a diesel engine was available, while there’s also the 300hp SQ2 range-topper, but this is a surprisingly boring way to go fast as it's not as engaging as a proper hot hatch.
The A3 also offers the two petrol engines. They’re marginally quicker and more economical than in the Q2. It still offers a diesel engine for high-mileage drivers.
Where the A3 differs from the Q2 is the availability of a plug-in hybrid engine. If you keep the battery charged, you can travel up to 37 miles on electric power – or up to 88 miles if you snag an A3 PHEV produced after 2024, because these have twice the battery capacity of earlier ones. If you mainly drive short journeys or around town with the occasional longer journey, an A3 PHEV has the potential to drastically shave your running costs.
If running costs are of a lesser concern, the A3 comes in two hot flavours. The S3 now comes with 333hp and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds, or there’s the berserk RS3 with 400hp and a Lamborghini-matching acceleration time.
Value
There’s not much difference in terms of price, so it could come down to which you like the look of most. The A3 is more modern inside and it’s a bit more refined at higher speeds, so it represents slightly better value.
Which is best?
The Q2 isn’t short of merits, and its high driving position will appeal to many buyers. But because the A3 feels a bit more up-to-date and it’s a bit quieter on long journeys, not to mention it’s slightly cheaper to run, it’s the one we’d pick.
Shop used Audi A3 cars and used Audi Q2 cars for sale at Motorpoint, or read our Audi A3 review and Audi Q2 review.
