Audi Q2 Review

Audi Q2 Estate

SUV cars are all the rage and with a premium badge, the Audi Q2 is a great choice. Read on for the rest of our Audi Q2 review.

Overall Verdict

Believe it or not, the short, squat Audi Q2 is actually classed as an SUV. It’s not a real off-roader, by any means. In fact, the Audi Q2 might well be described as a slightly taller Audi A3 Sportback. It shares the same platform, the same engines, and the same array of safety features - only it’s slightly shorter and wider.

Audi is clearly eyeing up the ever-growing ‘SUV’/crossover market with this offering, with the Audi Q2 being the first luxury car of its kind. It has a classy interior, all the optional high tech features you could ask for, and the raised driving position that you’d expect from an SUV.

That being said, not all passengers are treated equally. You won’t be mistaken for thinking that ‘small SUV’ sounds like a bit of an oxymoron. The decision to shave an extra 200mm off the length of the Audi Q3 Estate meant that something had to give and, in this case, that something was rear passenger space. Upright rear seats make long-distance journeys less comfortable, and while the added height should allow taller people to more easily slide in, narrow door openings add an extra challenge for big kids and baby seats alike.

It’s not the cheapest compact SUV, and if you like your gadgets you’re going to have to be prepared to part with a little extra cash. That said, this small crossover is a pleasure to drive, and if you’re looking for a car with top-notch tech, super safety features and a badge you brag about, then like most Audis, the Q2 is a safe bet.

You can compare it with its big sister in our Audi Q2 vs Q3 comparison post.

Available Trims

Technik

The Technik is the most stripped-back version of the Audi Q2, offering very little to get excited about. Sure, you’ll get 16-inch alloy wheels, a DAB radio, air-con and a 7-inch inch infotainment screen, but these come as standard on many much cheaper cars.

Sport

Audi expects most buyers to opt for the Sport line, and we can see why. For a modest price increase, you’ll also get larger 17-inch ‘5-arm star’ wheels, front ‘sport seats’, sat-nav functionality, automatic lights and cruise control. The black C-pillars of the Technik are replaced with a bright white, which brings a nice contrast and will help you stand out from the crowd.

S Line

If you’re happy to part with a bit more cash, the S Line trim will bring you 18-inch ‘5-spoke Y’ design alloy wheels, brighter LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, more aggressive S-Line exterior styling. The interior will also feel slightly more upmarket, with part-leather seats and a leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel.

Black Edition

The Black Edition brings larger, 19-inch ‘10-Y-Spoke’ design alloy wheels, black detailing and privacy glass for a more refined look and feel. If you’re mad about sports cars, you’ll appreciate the flat-bottomed leather steering wheel that comes with this trim and is most commonly associated with Audi’s roaring supercar, the R8.

Vorsprung

Want to go all out? The top-tier Vorsprung trim boasts stylish 19-inch ‘5-arm rotor’ black alloy wheels, adaptive suspension and damping control and a panoramic sunroof. It all packs a lot of extra tech features, including Audi MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system with MMI Touch input, driver assistance, adaptive cruise control and a rear view camera.

Looking for an Crossover personal or business lease? we compile the best leasing offers across England, Wales and the rest of the UK. Check out our Audi Q2 Estate lease deals page for our latest pricing.

Exterior

When it comes to the exterior, Audi hasn't diverged much from their standard offering. It doesn’t look much like an SUV - by which we mean it doesn’t look very rugged or sporty. That being said, if you’re a fan of big grilles and you like what Audi has put out so far, then you’ll like the Q2.

For a fierce aesthetic that is sure to turn some heads, we’d recommend the Q2 Black Edition. Its large black alloy wheels and black grille lend it a much classier look than some of the cheaper models. If you can’t stretch that far, the sport trim is set apart with its contrast rear pillars, and the slightly larger 17-inch wheels are much nicer to look at than those on the Technik which frankly look like they belong in a Lego set.

Driving Experience

The Audi Q2 comes with a range of engine choices to suit everyone from the casual driver to the weekend warrior.

Engine and Performance

As you’d expect from Audi, the Q2 offers high levels of refinement and a largely enjoyable driving experience, with a selection of six-speed manual and seven-speed S-tronic automatic gearboxes. The entry-level 1.0-litre petrol (30 TFSI) is perfect for popping into town and the occasional trip on the motorway. Fill it to the brim for a family holiday however and getting up to high speeds can become a bit of a battle.

The 148bhp 1.4-litre engine (35 TFSI) takes some of the stress away, with plenty of kick in the middle range. The 187bhp 2.0-litre petrol (40 TFSI) is better still - the quickest of the lot, but you’ll have to be prepared to shell out for a more expensive trim as well.

The 148bhp 2.0-litre (35 TDI) diesel is easily the quickest diesel in the range but, like the top petrol engine, will require you to get the Sport trim or above. For low-running costs and decent performance, the 115bhp (30TDI) engine is a reasonable compromise. It’s not the quickest, but it’s got enough fight in it to pull your family and all their luggage along easily.

When it comes to performance, the mid-range petrol and diesel engines fare the best. The 1.6-litre diesel is the most frugal offering, but the 1.4-litre turbo petrol isn’t far off when it comes to emissions and mpg. The 1.4-litre petrol also manages 0-60mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds, nearly 2 seconds quicker than the 1.6-litre diesel.

Handling

As we’ve already mentioned, the Q2 is built on the same platform as the Audi A3 Sportback (MQB). The A3 grapples corners with gusto, so it’s no surprise that the Q2 also excels in this department. The taller profile of the Q2 means that there is a little more body lean around corners than in the A3, but it still does a better job than some competitor SUVs like the Mercedes Benz GLA and the Mini Countryman.

The optional sports suspension keeps the car even straighter in and around bends, but you’re better off sticking with the adaptive set-up which allows you to stiffen the suspension as and when you need. You won’t find yourself flailing around corners as the Q2 grips tightly to the road, while the four wheel drive setup will see you power out of corners with no trouble.

All trims come with Audi’s progressive steering, which steers more quickly as you turn the wheel further. This should make parking and general maneuvering that bit easier, while still allowing you to glide along comfortably on the motorway without any sudden changes in direction.

Suspension

The Audi Q2 comes with three different suspension options to suit your preference. The softer, dynamic suspension comes as standard on each model, but with S line and above you can opt for the former sports suspension at no extra charge. If you’re tempted by the sports suspension, we’d recommend paying the extra for the adaptive suspension, which will allow you to change the ride height and stiffness as you please. The sports suspension, while great for handling corners, is much less forgiving on potholes and patchy surfaces - trust us, your back will thank you for it.

Audi Q2 Interior

Despite its small stature, the Audi Q2 provides the high driving position that most SUV buyers crave. With top tech and sleek interior styling, the interior of the Audi Q2 leaves little to be desired.

Styling

The Audi Q2 borrows much of the interior styling from its sibling, the A3. This includes a minimalist dashboard replete with soft touch materials and solid, satisfying buttons and switches. If you like to make your car your own, you’ll also be pleased to see that there are plenty of options of interior trims styles and, if you’re willing to pay the extra, ambient lighting.

Tech

The standard tech features on the Q2 include a DAB radio, bluetooth and USB port which can be used for charging your smartphone and connecting it to Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Audi’s MMI infotainment system is up there with BMW’s iDrive as one of the best on the market.

The standard 7.0 inch screen can be operated using a rotary dial by the gearstick, which makes navigating menus much less distracting while driving. Sat-nav is included on sport trims and above, but if you’re keen on your tech then you should probably invest in the technology pack (£1495.00, or included in Vorsprung) which gets you a crisp 8.3 inch screen with a faster processor and Audi’s renowned Virtual Cockpit.

Practicality

As you’d expect, trying to cram all of the functionality of an SUV into as small a footprint as possible has led to some tradeoffs with this Audi model.

Dimensions

4,191 mm L x 1,794 mm W x 1,508 mm H

At just under 4.2m long, the Audi’s smallest SUV is shorter than competitors like the Volkswagen T-Roc. It’s also significantly smaller than most SUVs, which should make parking a little easier when you’ve got kids to keep an eye on.

Boot Size

The Audi Q2’s boot is just 405 litres, larger than the Nissan Juke but not quite as big as the Mini Countryman. Still, the boot is a nice square shape and if you get the two wheel drive model this comes with a variable height boot floor which should make it fairly easy to pack away your weekly shopping, or chuck a couple of suitcases in the back.

Audi Q2 Boot Space

Passenger Room

In the front seats, you should have no trouble at all getting comfy, with ample head and leg room making it a match for any other SUV.

Rear passenger space is what really lets the Audi Q2 down. Space is tight, and taller adults will find their knees pressed against the back of the front chairs. A raised middle floor and narrow interior will also make it difficult to comfortably sit three abreast for long periods of time.

Audi Q2 Rear Passenger Seats

Safety Features

The Q2 received a 5* Euro NCAP rating, with scores of 93% and 86% for adult and child protection respectively. That makes it one of the safest SUVs available. Standard safety features include two rear Isofix points for securely mounting a child seat and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). For a bit extra, you can invest in optional lane keep assist and Audi Side Assist, which will warn you if another car is in your blind spot. 

Running Costs

The Audi Q2 is reasonably frugal for an SUV, and while it hasn’t got the highest CO2 emissions, it may still be something to be wary of if you’re looking for a company car.

MPG

As far as SUVs go, the Audi Q2 is relatively cheap to run. The 1.0-litre petrol returns 46.3 mpg and outputs just 115g/km of CO2, which makes it one of the best petrol SUVs on the market for fuel efficiency. The beefier 1.5-litre petrol still manages an impressive 42.2 mpg and 127g/km of CO2 using Audi’s ‘cylinder-on-demand’ system which reduces fuel consumption by shutting down two of its four cylinders when cruising. Both figures are surprisingly good for a petrol engine.

The most economical front-wheel drive engine is the 1.6-litre 30 TDI diesel, which can manage 49.6 mpg with 122g/km emissions. If you’re looking for a frugal four wheel drive however, the quattro 2.0-litre diesel manages 44.8 mpg and 140g/km CO2.

Insurance Group

1.5-litre petrol is in insurance group 18 while the 1.6-litre diesel sits in group 13. This is largely comparable to other small SUVs on the market. However, you should expect to pay more for the range-topping 2.0-litre engines - the premiums can shoot up to group 39.

Reliability

Audi reliability is not exactly top of the league. As a brand, Audi is one of the lower scorers on Reliability Index’s manufacturer rating, coming in at 34th out of 40.

Warranty

The Q2 comes with a three-year or 60,000-mile Audi warranty and three years’ breakdown assistance. It’s not quite as good as the BMW warranty, which is 3 years/unlimited mileage, and not a patch on a Kia warranty, which is a whole 7 years, but if you’re leasing that’s probably not a huge concern. 

If you are planning to take out a longer, 4 year lease (or one with high mileage), an Audi extended warranty is available. These include a 4 year/75,000 mile upgrade for £245, or a 5 year/90,000 mile warranty for £545.

Servicing

Audi recommends that you service your vehicle roughly once a year. With any new car from Audi, you can opt in to the ‘Audi Complete Plan’ which lets you pay monthly installments towards 3 different types of scheduled maintenance.