Audi Q3 against BMW X2 and Volvo XC40: three compact SUVs in the test

newsabc August 21, 2022

0 14 4 minutes read

One learns for life from the elderly. “Never buy a new car before the first facelift,” the uncle always said, “after that the teething problems will be gone.” Of course we have known for a long time: That’s true! And so it’s time to look at these candidates here: three compact SUVs, one was invented five years ago, the other two have been on our roads for four years. We compare Volvo XC40, Audi Q3 and BMW X2.

Selected products in tabular overview
	Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro S tronic	RRP EUR 43,050.00
	BMW X2 xDrive20i	RRP EUR 45,150.00
	Volvo XC40 B4 AWD	RRP EUR 51,600.00

In its fifth year of existence, the Volvo XC40 finally has a competitive multimedia. The Swedes are also installing a Google-based system in their 4.44-meter SUV. In our test car in the highest equipment line “Ultimate”, even the voice control finally worked the way we’ve known it from Audi and BMW for years. So “Drive me to Hamburg to Axel-Springer-Platz 1” or “Play Radio NDR 2”, and the system reacts within seconds. What can we say: you can expect that for a car for around 50,000 euros!

In the XC40 things get tight the fastest

The XC40 has retained other weaknesses, for example climate control via the screen in submenus, too deep and too narrow rear seat, with 428 liters the smallest trunk. With the rear seat folded down, it is perfectly flat, and we also like the foldable double loading floor with hooks for shopping bags. The Swedes take care of the details with their SUV “made in Belgium”, for example, they also lay carpet in the door shelves, so nothing rattles.

Engine type/cylinder

installation position

valves/camshafts

camshaft drive

displacement

kW (HP) at 1/min

Nm at 1/min

V max

transmission

drive

Brakes front/rear

test car tires

tire type

wheel size

Exhaust gas CO2

Consumption*

tank capacity

fuel type

gasoline particulate filter

pass-by noise

trailer load used/unused

drawbar load

trunk volume

Length Width Height

wheelbase

basic price

Test car price (is evaluated)

Seven-speed double clutch

Continental EcoContact 6

Four-cylinder, turbo, mild hybrid

Seven-speed double clutch

Continental EcoContact 6

Speaking of rattling. Audi, we need to talk! At 4.48 meters, the Q3 is the largest in this comparison, with 530 liters it also has the largest trunk, and – of course – on the back seat, the Audi is our favorite. Beautiful large door cutouts equal easy entry, plenty of head and legroom. And above all: your thighs rest on the upholstery, only in the Q3 do you want to go on long journeys in the back.

The Audi Q3 shows quality defects

But we were talking about rattling. And we have to state: Audi is no longer the quality world champion of days gone by. In this comparison we gave the Q3 only 16 out of 20 points in the Quality section, one less than the Volvo and two less than the BMW.

Why? Bonnet on the B side not painted, cheap hard plastic also on the glove compartment and door shelves (here it rattles), carpet edge on the loading floor not sewn, and the plastic parts for the trunk partition are probably a joke! Back then, when the head of development was still called Hackenberg, the Q3 would have hit the road differently.

BMW is better at multimedia these days

We have to explain briefly that a type like the BMW X2 is taking part in this comparison. At 4.36 meters, it is the shortest, with a sloping roof line, but at 470 liters it does not even have the smallest trunk. It would be correct to take the X1. But we didn’t get it, it’s just new, not ready for testing yet.

You notice inside that the X2 is a bit out of date. Digital Instruments? nope! Multimedia? Sounds great, but because the iDrive 6 comes from the penultimate 3 Series, only navigation and radio commands are in there. Good, because the others can no longer either. Bad, because BMW is now much further than the competition.

acceleration

0-50km/h

0-100km/h

0-130km/h

0-160km/h

intermediate sprint

60-100km/h

80-120km/h

curb weight/load

Weight distribution v./h.

Turning circle left/right

seat height

braking distance

from 100 km/h cold

from 100 km/h warm

interior noise

at 50 km/h

at 100km/h

at 130 km/h

consumption

saving consumption

test consumption

Average of the 155 km test lap (deviation from the WLTP specification)

sports consumption

CO2 (test consumption)

Range (test consumption)

In any case, the X2 does its job as a hatchback SUV well, the rear seats are okay, M sports seats in the front (500 euros extra, only in the M package) are for Slimfit types and offer them perfect lateral support. That you see less of the landscape because of the wide C-pillar, sloping roof line, narrow windows? Forgive me, this X2 is for driving.

Oh yes, almost forgot: Before we get started, we have to say that BMW is a master of quality. Hood completely painted, fine plastics, seal between front and rear door prevents wind noise, cockpit rattles.

Sporty drivers take the X2

Let’s stay in the BMW, and let’s anticipate: It wins the drive and driving dynamics chapters. With 178 hp, it has less horsepower than its competitors, but with 2.7 seconds from 0 to 50 and 7.9 to 100 km/h it clearly loses compared to the Audi (2.5 and 7.4), but conjures up more smiles for the sports driver in the face. You can find more details about the test in the picture gallery.

picture gallery

Three fine compact SUVs in the test

newsabc August 21, 2022

0 14 4 minutes read