2019 Audi Q2 Range Review

What stands out?

Audi’s first small luxury SUV has youthful looks and broad appeal. It comes with a choice between two petrol engines and a diesel, and the same high level of fit and finish that the brand’s core models have become known for.

What might bug me?

That many cheaper Korean and Japanese small SUVs have standard features – such as adaptive cruise control, push button start, hill hold assist and digital radio – that are only included in the Q2 as part of costly option packages on some models.

What body styles are there?

Five-door, five-seat SUV-style hatchback only.

The Audi Q2 is available in either front- or all-wheel-drive. Which one you get depends on the engine you choose.

It is classed as a small SUV, higher priced.

What features do all Audi Q2s have?

Six airbags and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection are key safety features found in all Q2s, as is electronic stability control, which is mandatory on new cars and can help control a skid or a slide. (For the placement of airbags, and more on Q2 safety features, please open the Safety section below.)

An eight-speaker sound system with AM/FM/Digital (DAB+) radio and Bluetooth connectivity for mobile devices, all controllable from a 7.0-inch colour screen that can also mirror your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Satellite navigation with voice control – tell it where you want to go, and it will plot a route for you.

A reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Dual-zone air-conditioning that allows the driver and front passenger to control their own temperature settings.

Long-lasting LED headlights and taillights, and distinctively styled LED daytime running lights. The headlights can turn on automatically when it’s dark. All Q2s also have windscreen wipers that operate automatically when it starts raining.

Other standard features include cruise control, powered door mirrors, alloy wheels, leather-appointed seats and leather multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters to manually control gear shifting.

Which engine uses least fuel, and why wouldn't I choose it?

The 35 TFSI’s 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol drinks just 5.3L/100km, according to official combined figures that take into account highway and city driving.

The 35 TFSI only comes in front-wheel-drive format with a basic torsion beam rear suspension setup, and is not available with the quattro all-wheel-drive system and multi-link suspension included with the diesel, which gives it better traction.

The Q2 40 TFSI brings the best of both worlds, with a more-powerful 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine with the quattro all-wheel-drive running gear, and its fuel economy is still relatively efficient at 6.5L/100km.

Both engines are coupled with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

What key features do I get if I spend more?

As well as a more powerful engine, quattro AWD and multilink suspension, the Q2 40 TFSI has a few extra features over the 35 TFSI, including blind spot detection, which alerts you to any cars to the side of the vehicle when looking to change lanes.

It also has body-coloured bumpers, which are a $500 option for the 35 TFSI, an electrically powered tailgate, and 18-inch alloy wheels that look sportier than the standard 17-inch set.

Additional interior features include sports front seats and aluminium-look interior elements such as switches and air vents.

You can add a host of extras to each Q2 model by adding option packages, at extra cost, or selecting individual option items.

Option packs include the Comfort package, which adds keyless start/entry, heated front seats, electric lumbar support for the front seats and heated door mirrors. It also includes a storage package with netted pockets for the backs of the front seats, a 12V power socket for rear of the centre console, luggage compartment net to keep bags secure, glovebox lock and a second light in the boot space

The Assistance package brings additional advanced driver assistance technology such as adaptive cruise control lane keeping assist, blind spot alert (35 TFSI only), high-beam assist (which automatically switches between high and low beam headlights when oncoming traffic is detected), hill hold assist, automatic park assist and a rollover sensor.

Spend about $2500 on the Technik package and you get Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard display, which replaces the traditional gauges with a 12.3-inch screen. You also get enhanced satellite navigation, and a sporty, flat-bottom, leather trimmed multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Other option packages add more sports credibility to the Q2, such as the S Line package, that’s only available for purchase with the 40 TFSI. It brings 18-inch alloy wheels with ‘5-Y’ spoke design, sports suspension, ‘S’ embossed sports seats trimmed with leather and Alcantara suede, multi-function sports steering wheel with S logo, perforated leather gear knob, black headlining, stainless steel foot pedals and aluminium door sills.

Individual options include 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension dampers to switch between soft and firm for comfort and improved handling, a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system and digital radio.

Does any upgrade have a down side?

The optional 19-inch wheels produce more tyre noise and you’ll feel more bumps on their sporty, lower profile tyres compared to the 35 TFSI’s 17-inch wheels, and to a lesser extend the 18s under the 40 TFSI.

There are only two standard colours, Brilliant Black or Ibis White, with other colours costing up to about $1700 extra.

How comfortable is the Audi Q2?

As you’d expect from Audi, the cabin is well presented and uncluttered, with major controls in logical positions. The circular air vents exemplify the functional elegance.

Surfaces and textures are of high quality, and reinforce Audi’s luxury positioning albeit with a more youthful look. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach.

The Q2’s standard eight-speaker audio system sounds crisp and punchy. An optional 10-speaker system adds a subwoofer for more bass, delivering a richer, fuller sound.

With the music off, the cabin of a Q2 is susceptible to tyre noise, particularly on coarse surfaces at highway speeds. However, wind noise is mild compared to other small SUVs.

The Q2 rides in a comfortable but well controlled manner, absorbing bumps succinctly. Its suspension is particularly good above 80km/h, recovering quickly and keeping the body in check.

What about safety in a Q2?

Mandatory stability control, six airbags, bright LED auto-on headlights, LED daytime running lights, auto windscreen wipers, and seatbelt warnings for all five passengers give the Q2 solid safety credentials. In addition, all Q2s come with auto emergency braking that helps you avoid city-speed rear-end impacts with other vehicles and pedestrians.

There are two airbags directly in front of the driver and front passenger; an airbag alongside each front occupant to protect the upper body; and a curtain airbag down each side of the car at head level, protecting front and rear occupants from side impacts.

The standard Audi Pre-sense City collision detection system warns you of imminent frontal crashes and is calibrated to recognise pedestrians. If you ignore the warning, it can apply the brakes automatically at speeds up to 65km/h, with the aim of avoiding the crash or mitigating your impact speed.

The Q2 40 TFSI quattro add Side assist, which uses rear-facing sensors to scan your rear corners, warning you of adjacent or fast-overtaking cars that might not appear in your mirrors.

On any Q2 you can add crash-avoidance aids with the optional Assistance Package. As well as Adaptive cruise control and auto high-beam, this brings you Active lane assist which helps you avoid drifting dangerously into another lane by applying gentle steering pressure to wake you up and bring the car back within the lines. The pack also adds Side assist to the Q2 35 TFSI, which doesn’t have it as standard.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) awarded the Audi Q2 its maximum five stars for safety, in February 2017.

I like driving - will I enjoy the Q2?

Yes, both models have sharp handling and a vibrant ride in common. They have excellent ride and handling capabilities and ride over rough road surfaces well, particularly at speeds above 80km/h.

The 35 TFSI 1.4-litre engine is refined and perky and can shut off two of its cylinders for fuel saving, keeping economy to a mere 5.3L/100km. Because it is front-wheel-drive and has a less sophisticated rear suspension set up, though it manages relatively well.

The 40 TFSI’s 2.0-litre engine has considerably more power and its light weight means a more compliant suspension than in the 2.0 TDI. Apart from the raised ride height it feels like you’re driving a hatchback.

How is life in the rear seats?

The Audi Q2 has the same wheelbase length (that is the distance between the front and rear wheels) as the larger Q3, meaning a similarly sized interior.

The middle rear seat is only good for kids, particularly in the all-wheel-drive models which have a hump in the middle of the floor to accommodate the driveshaft to the rear wheels.

The outer rear seats, however, offer plenty of leg and head room even for taller adults.

The rear seatbacks fold down in a standard a 60/40 split, however there is an optional 40/20/40 split seatback, which includes a fold down centre armrest with cup holders.

Side and front vision is good.

There are no rear air vents or easily accessible USB or 12V sockets to plug in and charge mobile devices, unless you get the Comfort package, which adds a 12 volt socket on the rear of the centre console.

How is it the Q2 carrying stuff?

Boot space is 355 litres which is below the average size for small SUVs. With the rear seats folded down the cargo area extends to 1000 litres.

Where is the Q2 made?

All Audi Q2 models are assembled at Audi’s Inglosdtadt factory in Germany.

Are there any rivals I should consider?

There are a growing number of small luxury SUVs entering the market that are worth a look when considering the Audi Q2, including the Mini Countryman, Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1 and X2, Volvo XC40, and the Jaguar E-Pace.

I like this car, but I can't choose which version. Can you help?

The 40 TFSI is the best all-round in terms of performance and safety. It’s quick and handles itself well over rough surfaces and through bends. It comes with a few extras over the 35 TFSI, not least the quattro all-wheel-drive system, and blind spot alert. That said the 35 TFSI offers great value and is a good buy if most of your driving is in the city.

Of the option packs, the Technik package is hard to pass up thanks to the highly desirable Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard.

Are there plans to update this model soon?

The Audi Q2 arrived in Australia in February 2017 with a two model line-up – the 1.4 TSI and diesel 2.0 TDI quattro Sport.

The 2.0 TFSI was added to the range in November 2017 as part of the 2018 model year line-up. LED headlights and taillights became standard equipment across all three models at the same time.

The 2.0 TDI was dropped a year later leaving just the two petrol versions in the 2019 model-year range. The 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TSI were respectively redesignated the 35 TSI and 40 TSI as part of Audi’s updated, and rather confusing nomenclature.

In September 2019 Audi revealed a more powerful SQ2 version that shares a drive-train with the Audi S3. It’s hoped it will be available in Australia some time in 2020.

Don’t expect any other substantial upgrades until then.