2017 Audi Q2 First Drive Review | Audi Turns Up The Funk
Audi has a habit of jump-starting its design department. The TT brought a breath of fresh air to the range in the late 1990s, the R8 led the way in the late 2000s, and now the Q2 small SUV is aiming to be the design highlight of Audi’s SUV range.
Smaller than the existing Q3, but only just, the Q2 is designed to be fresh, interesting, and appealing to a new younger buyer that might not otherwise consider a traditionally staid Audi.
There’s obvious links to other Audi designs, and new themes that give the little crossover a chunky look all of its own - but it might pay to get in quick, just as the TT and R8 lost their visual drama in their successive second generations, there’s no saying how long the Q2 will remain a design mould-breaker.
Vehicle Style: Prestige small SUV
Price: $41,100-$49,900 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 110kW/240Nm 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo diesel | 7sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 5.3 l/100km (petrol) 5.0 l/100km (diesel) l/100km | Tested: 7.3 l/100km (petrol) 6.1 l/100km (diesel)
OVERVIEW
From launch, Audi is keeping the Q2 lineup simple. There’s two models to begin with, the 1.4 TFSI Design with a petrol engine and front wheel drive from $41,100 (plus on-road costs), or the 2.0 TDI quattro Sport, with a diesel engine and all wheel drive from $47.900 (plus on-road costs).
Early adopters also have a chance at the 1.4 TFSI Launch Edition, essentially the same as the Design, but with extra options added and a few specific styling touches like black trim panels for the C-pillars and 19-inch alloy wheels.