Audi Q2 review

Just when you thought Audi's range of crossovers was complete, along comes another. As its name suggests, the Q2 sits below the Q3, Q5 and Q7.

The Q2 offers a level of style, class and big-car features that rivals simply can't compete with, but it’s let down by miserly kit in basic guise, a firm ride and a cheap-feeling interior finish in places. Still, there’s lots to like about the Audi. It’s good to drive, roomy and offers a range of personalisation options. It’s also backed by some tempting finance deals. You’ll just need to watch the options list to stop the price spiralling out of control.

Interior space is good enough for four adults to travel comfortably, and there's a decent boot, while the quality is good where you see and touch. It's good to drive, too, with responsive controls and sure-footed handling combining with a comfy ride, unless you go for the sportiest set-up and biggest wheels.

The Audi Q2 fills another niche within Audi's crossover and SUV line-up. Considering their popularity, Audi has only been in the SUV game for a little over a decade, since the original Q7 went on sale in 2005. And as its name suggests, the Q2 slots in below its Q3 and Q5 stablemates. It uses the same platform as the Audi A3 hatchback, so really it comes close to the Q3 in terms of size.

While the Q2 is a member of Audi's crossover and SUV range, and Audi has built its success on the appeal of its quattro four-wheel-drive system, the Q2 is the most road-biased model in the crossover range. You can only get 4WD with the most powerful engines, as the rest of the range is front-wheel drive.

The engine range features five units, divided between three petrol engines and two diesels. First up are the petrols, a 1.0 TFSI 116PS three-cylinder turbo, badged 30 TFSI, a 1.5 TFSI 150PS turbo four-cylinder, badged 35 TFSI and a 2.0 TFSI 190PS, 40 TFSI. These have 114bhp, 148bhp and 187bhp respectively. The two diesels are a 1.6 TDI 116PS and a 2.0 TDI 150PS, badged 30 TDI and 35 TDI respectively, which again produce 114bhp and 148bhp.

All models bar the 2.0 units get a six-speed manual, while all engines bar the 1.0 TFSI can be had with Audi's seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox. Quattro four-wheel drive and the seven-speed S tronic box are standard on the 2.0 TDI and TFSI.

There's also a sporty Audi SQ2 model on offer, which brings a 296bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, quattro four-wheel drive and a DSG gearbox. In mechanical terms it's similar to the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R; performance is impressive as a result.

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Technik models are sparsely equipped in comparison to the rest of the range, but they do get 16-inch wheels, a dashtop screen and air conditioning. Most buyers will be willing to pay the premium of around £1,550 that Sport models command to get 17-inch wheels, signature silver C-pillars and sports seats. The Sport model also features Audi Connect and its infotainment extras including MMI navigation, as well as more upmarket interior trim.

S line models feature a different look, courtesy of body coloured wheelarches, a silver grille and redesigned bumpers. 18-inch wheels, full LED lights with scrolling indicators at the rear, leather seats and sports suspension are also included. However, in our experience the sports suspension is too stiff to be comfortable on British roads, so we'd recommend switching to comfort suspension, which you can do at no extra cost. S line cars also get LED interior lighting that bathes the cabin in gentle light and illuminates various trim elements.

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Black Edition models add 19-inch black alloys and a gloss black exterior pack, while top-level Vorsprung models get Audi’s adjustable adaptive suspension package.

One highlight of the Q2 is that it comes with Audi’s Pre Sense safety kit. It's standard on all models and includes Autonomous Emergency Braking, which will put the brakes on if the sensors detect a pedestrian stepping out in front of the car. Other big car options include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keep assistance, plus traffic sign recognition and rear traffic alert when you’re reversing.

Prices range from £23,300 to £28,845 for Technik through to Black Edition models, while the top-spec SQ2 costs just shy of £40,000.

As it's a premium model, rivals for the Q2 are from the higher end of the small crossover class. Chief among these rivals are the BMW X1 and X2 twins, the Mercedes GLA and Range Rover Evoque. Elsewhere, the MINI Countryman is worth considering, while high-end versions of the Mazda CX-3,  Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X offer a lot of kit for similar money to basic versions of the Q2.

For an alternative review of the latest Audi Q2 SUV visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk