Verdict
At RM228,526, the Audi Q2 costs RM5,837 more than the RM222,689 Subaru Forester, yet its RM100 annual road tax is RM738 lower. The Audi’s 150 hp/250 Nm 1.4-litre turbo reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and is rated at 6.1 L/100 km, while its 4,191-mm length suits tighter urban spaces. The Forester answers with all-wheel drive, 496 litres of boot space, a 2,670-mm wheelbase and far more active safety equipment. Pick on use: Q2 for compact, quicker road manners; Forester for family room and driver assistance.
Pick the Audi Q2 if you want the quicker 8.5-second 0-100 km/h SUV, lower RM100 road tax and a 464-mm shorter body.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and autonomous braking with adaptive cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q2 RM228,526; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Road tax per year: Audi Q2 RM100; Subaru Forester RM838.
- Performance: Audi Q2 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds; Subaru Forester in 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: Audi Q2 front-wheel drive; Subaru Forester all-wheel drive.
- Length and boot space: Audi Q2 4,191 mm and 405 litres; Subaru Forester 4,655 mm and 496 litres.
- Safety assistance: Audi Q2 has no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist; Forester has autonomous braking and steering correction lane assistance.
Q2
- 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time versus 9.7 seconds
- RM100 annual road tax versus RM838
- Compact 4,191-mm length and 6.1 L/100 km rated economy
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or lane-keeping assist
- 405-litre boot is 91 litres smaller
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- 496-litre boot and 2,670-mm wheelbase
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM100
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 464 mm longer and 363 kg heavier than the Q2
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM228,526 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,395 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 150 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 74.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Tiptronic | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Audi AG | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.5 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 6.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 212 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Co2 | 122 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,191 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,794 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,508 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,595 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,280 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Primacy 3 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" 5-arm Y-style Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 5-arm Y-style Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger seat and two outer rear passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors with Dynamic Light Design and Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination with Dynamic Turn Signals | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.3" MMI Navigation Plus, Audi Sound System with 10 Speakers, 180 watts | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Audi virtual cockpit | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q2 & Forester for sale
Q2 vs Forester FAQ
Is the Audi Q2 or Subaru Forester better?
The Forester is the better family and safety-led choice, with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. The Q2 is better for lower annual road tax, a shorter footprint and quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q2 costs RM228,526 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the Q2 is RM5,837 more expensive. Its annual road tax is RM100, against RM838 for the Forester.
Which is more practical for carrying passengers and luggage?
The Subaru Forester is more practical for luggage, with 496 litres versus the Audi Q2’s 405 litres. It is also 464 mm longer, 222 mm taller and has a 75-mm longer wheelbase, plus rear air-conditioning vents.