Audi Q2 SUV: Prices, specs and reviews

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The Audi Q2 is the latest addition to the German manufacturer's range. It's a small crossover, serving as the entry-level SUV in the company's ever-expanding Q line-up.

Unveiled at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Audi Q2 is on sale now, with a generous selection of petrol and diesel powertrains on offer. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is also available, as well as a host of interior trim options.

The Q2 may be the smallest and cheapest Audi SUV you can buy, but it's certainly not the least interesting. It stands out against its larger Q3, Q5 and Q7 siblings thanks to some unique design traits. Audi is pitching it to younger buyers and there are plenty of customisation options, such as vibrant paint colours and trim inserts to make the cheapest Audi crossover more appealing.

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It's still a premium-edged car, though, and a posher alternative to the likes of the Nissan Juke.

Here's all you need to know about the Q2 - and what the reviewers make of Audi's small, funky crossover.

Design

Aimed squarely at a younger audience, the Q2 stands out in Audi's range, with bolder, sharper lines and a different shape from its other SUVs.

It has been styled to look as hunched and sporty as possible, with a high shoulder line coupled to a roof that gradually slopes downward at the rear in a similar fashion to the Range Rover Evoque. Audi has also added a handful of new design cues, including a cut-out running down the top of the doors, a wider-looking rear-end and a tweaked version of the company's signature grille.

There's also rugged-style cladding and skid plates on the bumpers, both of which can be colour-coded with the body.

At the back are two, thick C-pillars called "blades" which, like many parts on the Q2, can be specced in different colours. Buyers can choose from 12 exterior colours, a two-tone roof and a selection of alloy wheels ranging from 16ins to 19ins.

The Q2 measures in at 59.4ins tall and 70.7ins wide, with an overall length of 165ins. That makes it roughly 4.7ins shorter than the A3 hatchback and 3.9ins smaller than the Q3 SUV.

Interior and Tech

Interior and Tech

Inside, the Q2 is similar to the Audi A3 it's based on and incorporates the horizontal design trait that can be seen in the majority of the firm's latest models. There's a host of colourful trim and metal options to choose from, many of which aren't available on the A3 hatchback.

The cabin is "clean" and "uncluttered", says CarBuyer, while the soft-to-the-touch plastics and brushed aluminium trim elements are "of high quality".

Standard equipment includes a seven-inch infotainment screen above the dashboard, operated through a rotary dial and buttons located near the gearstick. The switches are "easy to read" and make surfing the system "a doddle", says What Car?.

The screen can be used to alter the car's settings, as well as access the radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through Bluetooth or USB. The standard system itself is "intuitive", adds the website, while Sports models and upwards get a sat-nav bundled in.

A Bang & Olufsen sound system comes as an optional extra, as does Audi's Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the dashboard's physical dials with a 12.3ins screen, controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.

Space and practicality

Space is good for passengers in the rear, says What Car?, although the BMW X1 and Seat Ateca "provide families with much more".

The Q2 is 4.7ins shorter than the A3 hatchback on which it's based, something the magazine claims causes taller passengers in the back to brush their heads against the roof lining. They'll also find "their knees close to the front seatbacks".

At 405-litres, the Q2's boot is around 50 litres larger than the A3 hatchback and its rival Nissan Juke, while folding the rear seats flat opens up a total luggage space of 1,050-litres.

Accessing the Q2 is simple thanks to its wide opening doors and tall roofline compared to the A3, says CarBuyer. It's also more comfortable than the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, while an adjustable steering wheel and front seats that can easily accommodate tall adults mean the driving position is "excellent".

There's an abundance of storage bins and cubby holes spread around the cabin. The glove compartment is well sized, as are the door bins, with a small slot located in the centre console for the ignition key.

Engines

Kicking-off the range of petrol engines is a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder unit, which CarBuyer says packs a "surprising punch" and doesn't need to be worked hard to "match its official zero to 62mph time of 10.1secs".

That's followed by a 1.4-litre TFSI motor with 148bhp with a zero to 62mph of 8.5secs, adds the website. It's paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, although a six-speed manual can be specced for "hands-on involvement".

Topping the range of petrol engines is a 187bhp 2.0-litre turbo motor that comes with an all-wheel drive system.

"The best all-round engine in the range is the 1.6 TDI diesel," What Car? tells readers. This engine sits at the bottom of the diesel line-up and is mated to a manual gearbox, with an automatic version available as an optional extra.

There's also a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel option, which the website says "delivers quite effortless pace, whether you are driving in town or on the motorway". However, it adds that this engine is only available on mid-spec cars and up, so it could be a pricey option for some.

Quattro all-wheel-drive

Front wheel drive versions of the Q2 are likely to dominate sales and be the most popular choices, though all-wheel-drive will be available of you need it. Right now, an all-wheel-drive system can be found on the 2.0-litre TDI, though next year's 2.0-litre TFSI petrol will get the drivetrain too.

CO2 and efficiency

Audi has yet to release full CO2 and MPG ratings for the upcoming Q2, but the engines it uses can be found in a number of the firm's other cars. These offer a glimpse of what buyers can expect efficiency wise when full details are revealed later this year and the order book for the small crossover opens.

CarBuyer gives a helpful account of what buyers can expect. The tiny 1.0-litre TFSI three cylinder returns 62.3mpg when fitted to Audi's A3 hatchback, with CO2 figures of 104g/km. Expect it to be slightly less efficient in the Q2 owing to the car's shape, with MPG figures dipping under 60mpg on a combined run. This could push the CO2 emissions over the 110g/km threshold at an annual Vehicle Excise Duty of £30.

As for the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol, it makes use of cylinder deactivation technology – shutting down two of the engine's cylinders when the engine is under-stressed and they aren't needed as a way of saving fuel. This engine comes in Audi's smallest hatchback, the A1, and it delivers 58.9mpg. It's also available in the larger Q3 crossover – the car destined to sit right above the Q2 in the range – returning 51.4mpg. As such, expect MPG to be in the mid 50's.

The tax bill could be £110 a year though – the added size and weight of the Q3 means that it produces 127g/km compared to the same engine in the A1. In the Q2, it could easily be over the 120g/km threshold.

Diesel engines will be the most popular choices on the Q2, and CarBuyer says that both the 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDIs should produce between 65-75mpg officially, with lower CO2 figures, for tiny tax bills.

Trim levels

The entry level Q2s will come in SE trim, with 16ins alloy wheels as standard, as well as grey blade C-pillars, a seven-inch infotainment screen and Audi's pre-sense city braking and collision avoidance system. Those bumping their orders up to Q2 Sport trim will get 17ins wheels as standard, as well as sports seats and ice-silver detailing on their blade panel.

At launch, Q2 S-Line will make for the range-topping cars. These will get 18ins wheels, with 19ins alloys available to spec. The blade C-pillar changes colour, this time to a titanium shade, and LED headlights come as a part of the package. Buyers can spec or remove the firmer sports suspension setup and partial leather interior. Audi's progressive steering will come as standard on all versions.

Prices and release

Orders for the Q2 are open now, with prices starting at £21,360 for the 1.0-litre TFSI in SE trim level with no optional extras. Adding metallic paint increases the price by £550, while 17ins alloy wheels are an additional £450.

Mid-range models kick off with the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine that starts at £23,685 in SE models, with diesels entering with the less powerful 1.6-litre TDI that comes in at £23,785. These are the only models that come with a manual gearbox as standard, although a seven-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission can be added at a £1,520 premium. Entry-level 1.0-litre cars are only available with manual gearboxes, while 2.0-litre S-Line models coming with S-Tronic transmissions as standard.

S-Line Q2s, which start at £27,160, come with an exclusive bodykit, 18ins alloys, LED lights and a part-leather interior. At the top of the S-Line range sits a 2.0-litre TFSI model that is fitted with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. On the road prices for this version start at £31,760.

The most expensive Q2 is the Edition #1, which features exclusive trim options, paints, alloys, and contrasting stitching on the seats and start at £32,150.

Reviews

Auto Express says that Audi's new crossover has been worth the wait. The price tag may be high compared to rivals in the small crossover class, but if you're willing to part with a little more cash, you get genuine big car spoils and quality, wrapped up in a stylish design.

The car's interior is one of its trump cards. It's similar to the quality cabins you'll find on other small Audis, but the Q2's colourful dashboard inserts and youthful extras "lift what would otherwise be a pretty conservative design".

What Car? Certainly thinks Audi's new baby is up to scratch and gives the Q2 four stars out of five.

The magazine says the car company has built a "desirable and fine-driving small SUV with a stunning interior" and that it is sure to entice buyers looking for quality above all else.

While the funky, youthful exterior may not appeal to all, the Q2's cabin is brilliant, it adds. You'd expect no less in an Audi, as its interiors have gained a reputation for faultless build quality and premium, well-crafted materials. There's not much on the market that can rival it, says the magazine.

The Virtual Cockpit display is also recommended as being worth the extra cash.

The magazine recommends the 1.6 TDI and says the driving experience is also fun, as the car takes corners with plenty of grip and traction. What Car? also found that with the progressive steering system, the Q2 is an easy car to manoeuvre at slow speeds.

The ride quality – and expensive price tag – are the only things stopping the new Audi from getting a five out of five rating, it says, adding that the Q2's standard suspension setup is a little firm and it's easily the most expensive car in its class.

Top Gear's verdict is pretty straightforward - because the Q2 is a pretty straightforward car. It "feels like a subtle repackaging of the A3 Sportback – a new 'top hat' if you like, perched on the versatile MQB box of bits", it says.

It's "not revolutionary in any particular area", but it needn't be, continues the mag, which concludes the Q2 is an accomplished small crossover and "precisely what customers are clambering for" while being different enough to stand out in what's becoming a crowded market.

The Q2's cabin - a "pleasant place to be" - shares the "uncluttered" design of others in the range, says Evo, although it notes that while the interior is "largely tasteful and appealing", there are a few "gimmicky" brightly coloured lights and "contrasting panels".

The strong first impression continues on the road, with the magazine saying the suspension "absorbs" defects in the road in all of its driving modes. The ride can be a bit "fidgety" in the sports mode, it adds, but it is far from "unacceptably harsh".

Buyers can expect a safe and comfortable car to drive, says CarBuyer, although the crossover is "not hugely involving". There's "commendably little body lean" through corners and the optional seven-speed automatic is easy to recommend over the six-speed manual.

The 405-litre boot "comfortably outstrips" the Nissan Juke, says the site, and there's plenty of space for six-feet tall adults in "relative comfort". Passengers in the rear, however, may find their "knees brushing" up against the back of the front seats and the middle seat is a little cramped.