Review: Audi Q2 (2016)
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Rating:
Style-led crossover. High seating position. Feels like a high quality car. Scope for personalisation. Good sized boot. Works surprisingly well with 1.0 TFSI engine.
Doesn't have the sharp handling Audi promises. Cramped rear seats for taller passengers. 1.6 TDI is noisy and lacks refinement. £2k + more expensive than SEAT Ateca.
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Audi Q2 (2016): At A Glance
- New prices start from £22,160, brokers can source from £19,127
- Contract hire deals from £201.59 per month
- Insurance Groups are between 13–20
- On average it achieves 83% of the official MPG figure
The Q2 has everything we've come to expect from an Audi. It's comfortable, quiet, extremely well-made and available with plenty of new technology. But its steep pricing places it in the same bracket as more practical crossovers like the excellent Peugeot 3008 and SEAT Ateca– so you’ll have to really want that Audi badge to justify one.
Inside, the Q2 is typical Audi. The dashboard is very classily and clearly arranged, with intuitive controls and a high quality feel, plus there are some stylish touches like illuminated inlays and circular vents. Rear legroom is tight though – so taller adults might struggle get comfortable, though children will be fine.
There are no complaints when it comes to the boot. At 405 litres it’s bigger than an Audi A3, so there’s plenty of space for shopping, holidays or pushchairs. It’s certainly more practical than small crossovers like the Nissan Juke, which only has a boot capacity of 207 litres.
On the road the Q2 drives in typical Audi style – with no drama and lots of competence. The handling is neat and manageable through bends, while the suspension tows the line between sporty firmness and comfort well, albeit with the occasional thump over a pothole.
The engine range includes a 1.0 TFSI petrol that is ideal in town, but the 1.4 TFSI is our choice, especially if you're going to be using your Q2 with a full complement of passengers on board. There is also a 1.6 TDI and a 2.0 TDI but all are cheap to run, with competitive emissions and fuel economy.
Standard equipment includes some useful features, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. But you’ll have to go for a mid-spec model if you want cruise control and navigation, while desirable features – including Audi Virtual Cockpit – are optional and crank up the price significantly.
There are larger crossovers like the SEAT Ateca or Nissan Qashqai on offer for the same amount of money as the Audi Q2 - and they will represent better value for many buyers. But if you don’t mind spending a pretty penny then the Audi Q2 is a more upmarket and desirable alternative to smaller crossover options like the Nissan Juke or Peugeot 2008.
What does a Audi Q2 (2016) cost?
| List Price from | £22,595 |
|---|---|
| Buy new from | £19,127 |
| Contract hire from | £201.59 per month |
Buy a used Audi Q2 from £18,762
Audi Q2 (2016): What's It Like Inside?
- Boot space is 405–1050 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4191 mm |
| Width | 2009 mm |
| Height | 1508 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2601 mm |
The Q2 has all the typical Audi hallmarks in its cabin, with strong build quality and a very neat, intuitive layout. There are some flourishes that add to the classy style too, including circular air vents and backlighting in the dashboard inlays, available in a selection of different colours.
Having said that, there are some areas in which the Q2 feels more downmarket than other Audi models, with harder, less plush plastics used lower down on the doors. It’s still a very well-made car, but when everything else Audi makes is so impeccable, it’s mildly disappointing.
In terms of size the Q2 isn’t quite as big as a Nissan Qashqai but it’s bigger than a Juke – and has a practical boot. With 405 litres of capacity it’s big enough for a pushchair and plenty of shopping, plus the load floor is wide and square – though the small load lip might get in the way when unloading bulky items.
While the boot is a good size, the back seats are a bit tight. There’s plenty of room for children, but taller adults will struggle for head and legroom – so if you have teenagers to transport a more practical alternative like the SEAT Ateca will be a better bet.
The centre stack is topped by a clear infotainment screen, operated by a rotary controller behind the gear lever. It’s easy to use and it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality as standard, which is handy for streaming music or navigating via Google Maps.
If you want to really show off, there's the Audi Virtual Cockpit, with its fully digital instrument binnacle, showing important information like navigation at a glance. But it’s sold as part of a £1500 Technology Pack – and a similar system is standard on the bigger, more practical and similarly priced Peugeot 3008.
Standard Equipment from launch:
SE trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, autonomous emergency braking, manual air conditioning, cloth upholstery, MMI system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, DAB radio, two USB inputs, aux input. Inlays can be chosen in either white or orange.
Sport adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Audi Drive Select, Sport exterior and interior styling, MMI navigation, cruise control, auto lights and auto wipers. Red or yellow inlays can be selected for the interior, while bumpers can be specified in Manhattan grey or matching body colour depending on preference.
S line adds 18-inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Suspension, LED headlights, S line styling, Sport front seats, leather upholstery, LED interior lighting.
Child seats that fit a Audi Q2 (2016)
Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.What's the Audi Q2 (2016) like to drive?
- Engines range from 1.0 TFSI to SQ2
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 32–55 mpg
The 1.0 TFSI may seem very small for a car like the Q2 but it's good for town driving and is also the cheapest Q2 you can buy at just over £20k. But our pick of the range is the 1.4-litre TFSI with 150PS. It’s punchy, quiet and smooth, whether paired to a manual or automatic transmission. Economy is reasonable with an official 54.2mpg but be aware that Real MPG shows that the (admittedly larger) Q3 with the same engine is only seeing 40mpg with owners.
If you want a diesel then the 1.6 TDI will do the job for most. It’s punchy enough to overtake slow traffic and although not especially quiet, does have official fuel economy of more than 60mpg whether linked to a manual or automatic. The 150PS 2.0 TDI is only available with an S tronic automatic transmission but it does make the best motorway cruiser, albeit at a price - the top version is more than £30k
The handling of the Q2 is neat, safe and predictable, but this Audi can’t really be described as fun to drive. It is relaxing and comfortable though, making it a great car for long distance - it’s stable and extremely quiet at motorway speeds. It’s just a shame that Audi doesn’t supply cruise control as standard on basic SE models.
Ride quality is good on the whole, but it is on the stiff side of comfortable. Most of the time that’s fine – on undulating surfaces and through bends the firm setup makes for good body control – but the car will thump over cats eyes and potholes and it can feel unsettled on broken, badly-surfaced roads.
If you live in a rural area and you need some all-weather capability then the quattro is probably a good choice, but it is only available with the top 2.0 TDI engine. That said, it should improve safety in slush and snow, even though the Q2 isn’t meant for proper off-road driving.
Safety is good thanks to autonomous emergency braking, which comes as standard. It is capable of detecting vehicles and pedestrians and will apply the brakes automatically to reduce the severity of a collision, or prevent it entirely. The fact it’s fitted as standard helps towards a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
There are some useful safety gadgets on the options list too. The Driver Assistance Pack adds adaptive cruise control that will follow traffic ahead at a safe distance, even coming to a stop and restarting in a motorway traffic jam. It also adds lane assistance, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition and advanced parking assistance.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 TFSI | 53–55 mpg | 10.1 s | 117–121 g/km |
| 1.4 TFSI | 49–51 mpg | 8.5 s | 124–130 g/km |
| 1.4 TFSI S tronic | 51–54 mpg | 8.5 s | 119–125 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI | 61–64 mpg | 10.3 s | 114–118 g/km |
| 1.6 TDI S tronic | 66–69 mpg | 10.5 s | - |
| 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic | 57–59 mpg | 8.1 s | 125–131 g/km |
| 2.0 TDI S tronic | 65 mpg | 8.1 s | - |
| 2.0 TFSI 190 quattro S tronic | 58 mpg | - | 150 g/km |
| 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic | 44–45 mpg | 6.5 s | 150 g/km |
| 30 TDI | 58–64 mpg | 10.3 s | 122 g/km |
| 30 TDI S tronic | 59–69 mpg | 10.5 s | 118 g/km |
| 30 TFSI | 53 mpg | 10.1 s | 117–123 g/km |
| 30 TFSI S tronic | 52 mpg | 10.3 s | 122 g/km |
| 35 TDI S tronic | 53–55 mpg | 8.1 s | 134–140 g/km |
| 35 TFSI | - | - | 127–130 g/km |
| 35 TFSI S tronic | - | - | 121–126 g/km |
| 40 TFSI S tronic | - | - | 144–153 g/km |
| SQ2 | 39 mpg | 4.8 s | 163 g/km |
Real MPG average for a Audi Q2 (2016)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
83%
Real MPG
32–55 mpg
MPGs submitted
59
Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.
What have we been asked about the Audi Q2 (2016)?
Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.
Can you recommend a punchy petrol SUV?
What Cars Are Similar To The Audi Q2 (2016)?
Key attributes of the this model are: Diesel engine, Family friendly, Raised driving position, Room for a buggy, Petrol engine, Economical and Crossover.
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What do owners think?
Our view gives your our opinion, based on driving hundreds of cars every year, but you can't beat the views of someone who lives with a car day-in, day out.
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