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 is 464 mm shorter and 363 kg lighter, reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and returns a rated 6.1 L/100 km, so it is the easier urban proposition. The Forester counters with all-wheel drive, 496 litres of boot space, eight airbags and a far fuller active-safety set, including autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control. For Malaysian family use, those are meaningful gains despite the higher running tax.
Pick the Audi Q2 if a 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 6.1 L/100 km rated economy and RM100 annual road tax matter more than all-wheel drive and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera.
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.
- Boot space: Audi Q2 405 litres; Subaru Forester 496 litres.
- Safety: Audi Q2 has six airbags; Subaru Forester has eight airbags plus autonomous braking.
Q2
- RM738 lower annual road tax
- Quicker 8.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 4,191 mm length and rated 6.1 L/100 km economy
- No autonomous braking, collision warning or blind-spot monitoring
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester's all-wheel drive
- 405-litre boot is 91 litres smaller
Forester
- All-wheel drive with X-Mode
- Eight airbags, autonomous braking and adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- 496-litre boot and 360-degree view monitor
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM100
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- 464 mm longer and 363 kg heavier
| 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 at 5,000 rpm | 182 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 247 Nm at 3,700 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Boxer 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 74.5 mm × 80 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 | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 8 (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 Subaru Forester is the better family and safety choice, with all-wheel drive, eight airbags, autonomous braking and a 496-litre boot. Choose the Audi Q2 for lower road tax, quicker acceleration and a much smaller footprint.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q2 costs RM5,837 more: RM228,526 against RM222,689 for the Subaru Forester.
Which is cheaper to run on annual road tax?
The Audi Q2 is markedly cheaper on annual road tax at RM100, compared with RM838 for the Subaru Forester. That is a RM738 yearly difference.
