Audi Q2 S line | Expert new car review at MotorBar

“If ‘cachet’ is one of the attributes
you want in your next compact SUV
then one of Audi’s new-gen Q2
models should top your shortlist...”

IT WILL COST YOU but then quality always does. To drive away in one of the prestige German brand's smallest SUVs you'll need to turn up with not a penny less than £24K. For those with deeper pockets there are five Q2 trim levels to whet your appetite: Technik, Sport, S line, Black Edition and the extensively-equipped Vorsprung that will set you back £40K.

We recently spent a week with a £30K mid-range S line Q2 — the 35 TFSI 150PS S tronic: Audi-speak for its powerful 1,498cc four-pot petrol engine with a cylinder-on-demand efficiency system. Fuel economy is respectably frugal as confirmed by our hard-driven week's test average of 46.7mpg (versus the official 44.8mpg) enabling a near-enough 500-mile range.

Outputting 148bhp and partnered (and very suitably so) by one of Audi's smooth 'n' sweet seven-speed twin-clutch autoboxes, progress is satisfyingly linear courtesy of the 184lb ft of torque from 1,500rpm which generates ample grunt whenever your right foot calls for full speed ahead; nudge the selector lever from D back to Sport and you'll find the Q2's unleaded heart is more than happy to deliver the grunt. For those times when you're in less of a hurry it's a smooth operator; the shifts are pretty much imperceptible and together with the hushed and beautifully tailored cabin take the edge off the miles.

“A rakish coupe roofline
and tailgate, sculpted
door panels, eye-
catching flat-cut
wheelarches, contrasting
‘blades’ cladding the
rear-three-quarter pillars
(body-coloured or
finished in black, grey
or silver) add extra
styling features that
ramp-up drama without
being OTT — the result
of all this visual detailing
are cut-throat
urbane looks...”

Audi's design team has resculpted the Q2's body and their artful nip-and-tuck treatment has infused this town-friendly SUV with a sharper visual distinction that benefits from crisp, sharply defined corners and edges, its confident stance boosted by the dominantly deep and wide 'single-frame' radiator grille.

A rakish coupe roofline and tailgate, sculpted door panels, eye-catching flat-cut wheelarches, contrasting 'blades' cladding the rear-three-quarter pillars (body-coloured or finished in black, grey or silver) add extra styling features that ramp-up drama without being OTT — the result of all this visual detailing are cut-throat urbane looks; shown off magnificently by our test car's delectable Daytona Grey livery.

Style rivals can be counted on the fingers of one hand: the MINI Countryman with its snazzy interior and Union Jack tail lights; the DS 3 Crossback (French-chic cabin treatment); and Volvo's modish XC40 that blends premium Scandi quality with eye-catching design. None, however, can quite match the cultured braggadocio that is part and parcel of Audi's compact SUV's DNA.

Despite the fine-looking cut of its suit, the real flair is found inside the Q2 — where, despite it being Audi's dinkiest SUV (occupying a mere 4.2 metres of blacktop, it's actually shorter than a three-door A3 hatchback) it has no trouble accommodating up to five. The interior is characteristically Audi, showcasing a tasteful, clean-cut, high-quality ambiance and meticulous fit and finish. Stylish touches and smart detailing abound, such as the iconic milled TT-esque knurled air vent bezels that look great and work with a quality feel; there's also enhanced equipment, new and improved web-based Audi connect functionality along with an expanded portfolio of driver assist systems which means an upgrade to MMI Navigation Plus and Audi's brilliant Virtual Cockpit.

The seats are sporty and supportive and lovingly trimmed in suede and leather with four-way electric lumbar adjustment and they serve up genuine long-range comfort. The height-adjustable three-stage heated seats are quick to heat and scrumptiously hot. Adding to the vibes is a multifunction steering wheel with a perforated leather-wrapped rim that's an absolute delight to grip and use. Seated, you'll enjoy a full fist of headroom plus plenty of leg and elbow room combined with a first-rate driving position made better by excellent views down the bonnet and even through the rear screen. A large glass powered sunroof floods the über-driver-friendly cockpit with light.

The MMI navigation, mentioned above, includes an LTE module for fast data transmission and introduces Audi Connect's many Internet-derived benefits including online traffic, weather and local fuel pricing information plus Google Earth navigation mapping. It also includes a new SOS call & service feature which, via the myAudi smartphone-based app allows the owner to, amongst other things, lock their Q2 remotely or check the fuel level and range.

“There are plenty of
customisation options
for the fully digital 12.3-
inch Virtual Cockpit
instrument panel
including five superbly
clear layouts either with
or without the active
mapping incorporated.
Operating the
infotainment and navigation system
through its crystal clear
8.3-inch monitor
is dead-easy
and less distracting
when driving courtesy of
the rotary controller or
natural language voice
control, both of which
work faultlessly...”

There are plenty of customisation options for the fully digital 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument panel including five superbly clear layouts either with or without the active mapping incorporated; essentials such the active gear and driving mode, road speed readout, the posted limit and navigation prompts are always shown. Operating the infotainment & navigation system through its crystal clear 8.3-inch monitor is dead-easy and less distracting when driving courtesy of the rotary controller or natural language voice control, both of which work faultlessly.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is equally seamless and the SatNav couldn't be more straightforward to use. An embedded Audi Connect data SIM gives access to Google Earth and Google Street View while Bluetooth and DAB are also fitted.

And while the default sound system is perfectly fine, audiophiles can choose to upgrade to either Audi's 10-speaker Sound System or a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen 705W set-up. A WiFi charging bed for your smartphone lives under the height-adjustable armrest between the front chairs and you'll find CD, SD and SIM slots in the practical-sized glovebox. Talking of in-cabin storage, there's also wide, roomy bottle-holding door bins, dual-use cupholders, and a storage locker under one of the front seats.

S line models mark the middle of the range and come well kitted-out: in addition to the already-mentioned virtual instrument cluster, hi-grade MMI infotainment and SatNav packages, heated sports seats and Drive Select dynamic handling system you get a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, heated and auto-dimming powerfolding door mirrors, electric windows (all four feature one-shot up/down op), rear parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, LED ambient cabin lighting with softly backlit inlays (the colour schemes can be selected via the MMI), a sport suspension set-up, autonomous emergency braking (Pre sense Front with pedestrian recognition; works up to speeds of 40mph for pedestrians and up to 127mph for vehicles), auto wipes 'n' lights, rain lights, side and rear windows in heat-insulating glass, a large powered glass sunroof with opaque sunblind, polished stainless steel pedal set, electric parking brake with auto-hold, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, scrolling front and rear indicators and a stylish set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

Good news for anyone allocated one of the well-padded rear seats — legroom is good, feet can move around easily, the seatbacks are set at relaxing angles, and passengers sit higher than those in front of them. And, thanks to the SUV bodystyle and roofline, there's still almost a fist of headroom. The seats are well shaped and make for 'cosy' journeys and real-life adults will be genuinely comfy sitting behind other real-life grown-ups.

Three seated side-by-side is a definite can-do but, as in even much bigger cars, the best recipe for harmony is by playing a 2-2 formation. Adding to the ease of travelling in the rear cabin are decent views out, a drop-down central armrest with pop-up cupholders, storage pouches on the front seatbacks and usable door bins.

“As proven time and
again by true-blue
sports cars, if you want
decent driving
characteristics you
don’t want bulk.
The Q2’s modest
footprint hits the spot
and you don’t need
to drive many miles to
determine its character:
wieldy and sporty.
This SUV doesn't lean
even if you do when
pushing through a bend.
Grip is plentiful; even
in the front-wheel drive
versions, once you pick
a line your Q2 will
stick to it...”

The standard alloy wheel size for S line models is 18-inches wrapped in 215/50 rubber. The '50' profile sidewalls are good news from the ride point of view while still providing assured traction when 'pressing on' is on your mind. So while you will be aware of the more brutal potholes, the ride generally is pretty much blemish-free and you and your fellow travellers can ride along just fine.

As proven time and again by true-blue sports cars, if you want decent driving characteristics you don't want bulk. The Q2's modest footprint hits the spot and you don't need to drive many miles to determine its character: wieldy and sporty. This SUV doesn't lean even if you do when pushing through a bend. Grip is plentiful; even in the front-wheel drive versions, once you pick a line your Q2 will stick to it.

The progressive-rate power steering keeps pace with you along winding roads while the sports suspension does its bit, providing neat and nicely balanced handling on B-roads and back lanes. Killing your speed — any place, any time, any weather — is not a problem with more than enough bite from the dependable brakes.

Plus, of course, there's Drive Select which gives you the choice between Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual driving modes. And then there's the S tronic's Sport mode that injects some fast and unrelenting zing into the Q2's forward-charging velocity while using the steering-wheel paddle shifters in Manual mode gives real control of the beastie.

At 405 litres the Q2's regularly-shaped boot is more than able to satisfy most owners' requirements. Guaranteeing ease of use is a hands-free, fast-acting, powered tailgate that lifts high (it can also be opened and closed from the driver's seat). Boosting versatility is a double-height floor which, at its upper setting, ensures a completely flat load space floor both in boot mode as well as full cargo bay mode (1,050 litres) with the 60:40-split rear seats lowered. A wide, drop-down central load-through section makes carrying longer items a doddle while the 1,700kg braked towing ability is more than acceptable.

With its mission statement to 'stand out from the crowd' clearly achieved, Audi's upmarket through-and-through Q2 serves up SUV utility and convenience with a feelgood owning and driving experience: a persuasive and classy package that's worth every penny. Definitely worth queuing for! ~ MotorBar

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