Many buyers pick their next car based on what it costs, how it looks and what the interior is like, but engine choice can also be fundamental when it comes to picking your next car.
Audi Q line up is extensive, and that means there is a lengthy number of engine options across the range. But here’s a quick guide that helps to explain what units you can get with your Audi SUV, which will hopefully make the choice simpler…
Audi Q2
With the Q2 being the smallest ‘Q’ model, it’s unsurprising that it’s fitted with less powerful engines than you would find in the rest of the range.
Three petrol engines are available – the 30 TFSI, 35 TFSI and 40 TFSI. These feature a 114bhp 1.0-litre unit, a 148bhp 1.5-litre engine and a 187bhp 2.0-litre unit respectively. The 2.0-litre petrol unit is the only model to come with quattro all-wheel-drive, as the rest are all front-wheel-drive. A six-speed manual is fitted as standard on the 30 and 35 TFSI, with a seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission available on the latter as an option. An auto ‘box is the standard configuration on the flagship 2.0-litre engine.
Diesel buyers can choose between the 30 TDI and the 35 TDI, with the former using a 114bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine and the latter using a 148bhp 2.0-litre powertrain. The smaller unit has a manual gearbox as standard, but an auto is available for extra money, while the 148bhp engine is only offered with an automatic transmission.
Most efficient: 30 TDI (60.1mpg, 122g/km CO2)
Best performance: 40 TFSI quattro (0-60 in 6.3 seconds, 141mph top speed)
Audi Q3
The popular Q3 is offered with three petrol engines and one diesel unit.
The petrol variants consist of the 35 TFSI, 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI, which feature a 148bhp 1.5-litre unit, a 187bhp 2.0-litre engine and a 227bhp 2.0-litre respectively. Both the 40 and 45 variants come as standard with quattro all-wheel-drive and a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, while the 35 makes do with a manual transmission and front-wheel-drive.
The only diesel variant is the 148bhp 2.0-litre 35 TDI, which is available with a six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed S tronic automatic. Quattro all-wheel-drive is available, too.
Note that the line-up is the same for the Q3 and Q3 Sportback, with the exception of the 40 TFSI, which isn’t available on the latter.
Most efficient: 35 TDI S tronic (48.7mpg, 153g/km CO2)
Best performance: 45 TFSI quattro (0-60mph 6.1 seconds, 144mph)
Audi Q5
The Q5 is offered with one petrol, one diesel and two plug-in hybrid powertrains, with all versions coming paired to a seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission, along with quattro all-wheel-drive.
The sole petrol unit is the 45 TFSI, which utilises a 242bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine. It’s then followed by a 40 TDI, which utilises a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine.
Those looking for a plug-in hybrid can pick between the 50 and 55 TFSI e models, which feature a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor and a 14.1kWh battery, which allows for an EV range of 26 miles. Both versions are powerful ,with the 50 model producing 295bhp and the 55 TFSI increasing the power to 362bhp.
Most efficient: 50 TFSI e (117.7mpg, 55g/km CO2)
Best performance: 55 TFSI e (0-60mph 5.1 seconds, 149mph top speed)
Audi Q7
With Audi’s large seven-seat Q7 SUV, there are just two diesel engines to choose from.
The range starts with the 228bhp 3.0-litre diesel unit, which is badged as the 45 TDI. Power is delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed S tronic automatic gearbox.
The more powerful version is the 50 TDI – a 282bhp version of the same 3.0-litre V6 diesel unit. It also comes with quattro all-wheel-drive and an automatic transmission.
Most efficient: Both the same (33.2mpg, 222g/km CO2)
Best performance: 50 TDI quattro (0-60mph 6.3 seconds, 150mph top speed)
Audi Q8
The Q8 line-up is even more simplistic, with just one powerful diesel engine to choose from – the 50 TDI. It’s the same 282bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that you find in the Q7, and features all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed S tronic automatic transmission.
Most efficient: 50 TDI quattro (33.2mpg, 222g/km CO2)
Best performance: 50 TDI quattro (0-60mph 6.1 seconds, 152mph top speed)