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Audi Q2 (2016) Review

2019 Audi Q2 30 TDI S Line 5dr Audi Q2
2019 30 TDI S Line 5dr
£17,890
View Audi Q2 cars for sale

Audi Q2 (2016) At A Glance

4/5

+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.

New prices start from £22,160
Insurance Groups are between 13–20
On average it achieves 80% 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.

Audi Q2 1.0 TFSI 2016 Road Test

What do owners think of the Audi Q2 (2016)? Check out our Owners' Reviews from people who live with the car day in, day out.

Real MPG average for a Audi Q2 (2016)

RealMPG

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

80%

Real MPG

30–55 mpg

MPGs submitted

90

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.

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Reviews for Audi Q2 (2016)'s top 3 rivals

Volkswagen Tiguan
4/5
Comfortable, spacious and supremely practical. Refined diesel engines. Plenty of modern technology.
SEAT Ateca
4/5
Very comfortable and refined with impressive ride quality. Lots of room for those in the back along with...
Peugeot 5008
4/5
Seven seats as standard, well-equipped for the money,refined and easy to drive, very family-friendly,...

Ask Honest John

Is the S Tronic gearbox problematic?
"My daughter is wanting to buy a petrol Audi Q2 with the S-Tronic gearbox. You often advise against particular types of automatic or semi-automatic gearboxes. Is this one likely to be reliable? I also understand that it comes with 18-inch wheels. Are these likely to give a harsh ride and would smaller diameter wheels be more desirable for everyday use? Kind regards."
The S tronic dual-clutch transmission is reliable if well maintained. However, DSGs (which the S Tronic is) are very expensive to fix if they go wrong. We haven't had any reports of reliability issues of this auto gearbox in a Q2, but we have had reports of DSG issues in the part. The DQ200 DSG gearbox traditionally has been problematic. A smaller set of wheels with bigger tyres will give a quieter, more comfortable ride - but 18-inch wheels shouldn't be too bad. I ran a Q2 for six months on 18-inch wheels and it was comfortable enough for everyday use: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/our-cars/audi-q2/
Answered by Georgia Petrie
Can you recommend a punchy petrol SUV?
"I'm looking for a secondhand SUV for around £20k that does good mpg and probably petrol as I no longer do the miles for a diesel. It must have some punch. What do you recomend?"
We'd be looking for a high-spec Kia Sportage with the T-GDi petrol engine. GT-Line models are very well equipped while the turbocharged petrol has plenty of performance. Your budget will get you a nearly-new model with plenty of its seven-year warranty remaining. If you'd prefer something more premium, consider an Audi Q2 with the 1.4 TFSi engine. We ran an Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI for six months here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/our-cars/audi-q2
Answered by Andrew Brady
What's a suitable car for a 70-year-old?
"I drive an Audi A3 which I have had for seven years and am pleased with. However as we get older, we find long journeys are less comfortable and have thought of getting a SUV giving us easier access and a more comfortable driving position. Would the Audi Q2 or Q3 be a good choice for us and would we quickly adjust to a SUV? Other choices you suggest would be helpful."
I think you'd find a crossover SUV like the Q2 or Q3 would suit you well. They're just as easy as a hatchback to drive, with the advantages you've mentioned. There's a new Q3 now on sale and it's much better than its predecessor. If you don't need as much space, the Q2's a good choice. We're currently running one for six months and Georgia is an SUV convert (https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/our-cars/audi-q2/). As an alternative, look at other cars from within Volkswagen Group, such as the Skoda Karoq. If you'd prefer something premium, the Volvo XC40 is excellent, and the BMW X2 is definitely worth a look too.
Answered by Andrew Brady
Why is the Audi Q2 2.0 not available with the TFSI engine?
"I've tried to order the Audi Q2 2.0 TFSI Quattro S Tronic, but Audi tell me the quattro is unavailable with the TFSI (petrol) engine."
This is to keep down corporate average CO2. Car manufacturers are caught between two trees. They are being told to lower NOx output, which means selling less diesels. But they are also being told to lower average CO2 output, which means selling more diesels. They simply cannot fill the gap with electric cars and petrol hybrids unless they are geared up for this, like Toyota is.
Answered by Honest John

What does a Audi Q2 (2016) cost?

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