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2017 Audi Q2 2.0L TDi Quattro Review

Rob Fraser
Audi Q2 tdi quattro

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Overview

Audi launched the Q2 into the highly competitive small compact AWD SUV premium market segment. The compact segment has seen the most growth in recent years with almost all manufacturers having an entry level model. The vehicle we are testing here is the Audi Q2 2.0L TDi Quattro 7 speed S Tronic.

There is something quite special happening at Audi lately. Every new model they have released lately they seem to just get it right in both design language and vehicle features etc.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Exterior

The Audi Q2 has something about it that differentiates it from the others. It immediately makes you feel at home with it when approaching. Style is a personal thing obviously but the Q2 really appealed to me.

Audi’s polygonal design style has got edgy spot on without being ugly, unlike one or two of Audi’s main competitors. Externally the Q2 has that coupe style while retaining plenty of internal space. It could arguably be the most stylish offering in this segment.

The vehicle measures 1.51 metres tall and 1.79 metres wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19 metres and a wheelbase of 2.60 metres. While it is some 200mm shorter than the Q3 the wheelbases are almost identical with about 5mm difference from memory.

Where the Q2 differs is that it has less front and rear overhang. These measurement go a long way to the feeling of a sporty design. This is the same platform that the brilliant A3 is built on.

The Q2 is designed for the younger couple or maybe with a single child, maybe, while the Q3 is designed more for the entry traditional SUV buyer.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Internal

Internally the stylish design continues with the overall ambience of quality and a subtle sporty feel. Again Audi is doing things just right with their excellent interiors. It offers comfortable (read higher than a sports car) entry and good visibility, but also a sporty seating position for the driver and front passenger.

Both front seats are height adjustable. A power lumber support and heated seats are available as options, with the centre armrest as standard. With the sport seats – standard with the sport line and S line sport package, the angle and length of the seat cushion can also be adjusted.

The rear seats are also comfortably upholstered. Despite the descending, coupe-like roof line, adults enjoy enough headroom but in all SUV’s this size the knee and leg room is limited. There are numerous storage compartments available for all seats but the overall nick knack storage is limited.

The optional storage compartment and luggage compartment package provides additional storage space.

What is impressive is the flexibility and openness of the boot space. The side walls of the luggage compartment are vertical and plain and the loading sill low at 74 centimetres.

Because the springs and dampers are installed separately, the compartment between the wheel arches measures exactly one metre. In the standard configuration, luggage capacity is 405 litres.

The rear seats will fold almost flat and are operated by using a handle on the upper edge of the backrest. This gives a capacity of 1050 litres.

The standard rear bench is split 60:40, an optional 40:20:40 three-way split version is also available. When folded down, the narrow centre section serves either as an armrest with cup holder or a through-loading facility. A power tailgate is available as an option.

Going back to the drivers position again the Q2 provides a comfortable and engaging experience. The normal and sports seats are comfortable. Unfortunately lumbar support for the base seats is an option.

Along with the very impressive Audi ‘virtual cockpit’ and convenient optional head-up display, the steering wheel perfectly frames the dash and being thick rimmed feels great in your hands. There is a very familiar and comfortable feel to the cockpit.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Features/Technology

The centre console houses Audi’s intelligent, intuitive Multi Media Interface (MMI), an infotainment and navigation system, which can be operated by a rotary/push-button scratch pad control and a touchpad (on MMI Navigation plus) on the central control element.

In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by voice, known as natural language operation, and the integrated MMI search. Audi Connect, Google Earth and Google Search functionality, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, enables surfing and streaming with mobile devices.

The now prevalent scratch pad dial knob mostly works but is occasionally frustrating. I do particularly like the transmission lever in preference to the squarer style in some of Audi’s larger vehicles.

The list of standard inclusions feature –

The 2.0 TDI quattro also gains an electric tailgate, sport seats and Audi side assist as standard equipment.

While the ability to customise my vehicle has little appeal to me it is obviously an important feature to those much younger. Audi caters to this with an attractive ‘Design line’ styling package, including contrasting high-gloss elements, c pillar colour choice and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Additional high-value option packages combining styling, technology, convenience features and driver assistance systems are also offered.  Many equipment packages, exterior colours and expressive interior trim colours and elements are available, as well as LED interior lighting packages which allow plenty of creative space for personal configuration.  Audi also offers a total of 12 paint finishes for the Q2.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Engine and drivetrain

The 2.0L TDi has figures of 110kW @ 4000rpm and 340Nm @ 1750-3000rpm. Bringing its 340 Nm of torque in at a relatively low 1750 rpm promotes a relaxed almost lazy driving style that allows plenty of response when needed and excellent fuel economy of an ADR 5.0 l/100km.

That is stunning and normal driving should see you get close to that. The quattro system on the 2.0 TDi has been explained many times before. It is simply brilliant and installs exemplary road manners and safety.

The Q2 Quattro has a sporty seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission as standard.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Dimensions

Audi Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro has an

The Q2 is absolutely designed as an urban warrior. While it has a 147mm ground clearance, it is more suited to the trips to the ski fields (in quattro format) than any sort of adventurous dirt road driving and definitely NO off road driving.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic What is it Like to drive

Driving the Q2 provides an integrated experience.  We have managed to drive the Q2 over a multitude of driving experiences, from heavy city traffic, expressway driving, some dirt road and lots of hilly windy back roads that were a delight to drive the Q2 on.

Throughout all the days driving, the thought running through my mind was that in the small compact segment there is nothing that rides and handles anywhere near as good as the Q2.

The electromechanical steering provides more than enough feedback and becomes more sensitive to input towards the limits of turning. The sport nature of the Q2 manifests itself in a firm but compliant rode.

The 18 inch alloy wheels and tyres provide a good compromise between compliance and handling. There is a little road noise on the larger rims as well but noticeably little wind noise at all.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Safety

All round visibility is also good for this type of vehicle. To complement that there are the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 that come directly from the upper luxury classes.

The Audi pre sense plus (AEB) system recognises critical situations with other vehicles, as well as pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, while driving at speeds of up to 85 km/h. If necessary,

Audi pre sense plus can initiate hard braking – to a standstill – at low speeds. Other systems in the line-up include adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, the lane-departure warning system.

Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, and cross-traffic assist rear which supports the driver while reversing out of tight situations.

The all-new Q2 has been awarded a five-star ANCAP rating.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro S Tronic Conclusion

The Q2 is not a sports SUV, nor is it an SUV for off road use. It is as mentioned an urban warrior that is aimed right at the younger, technologically advanced, upwardly mobile buyers that want more than a sedan or coupe.

They want that quality and sporty nature but also the versatility and practicality of the SUV body shape. Personally I believe Audi has nailed the brief and I reckon they will sell like hotdogs at a baseball game.

The entry level pricing for the Q2 is pretty sharp for the 2.0 TDI quattro sport for $54,744 RDAP, especially when you consider the impressive level of standard inclusions.

However, like most Audi’s, there is an extensive and expensive options list with convenient packages that can add sometimes 20% or more to the price of the vehicle.

“The all-new Audi Q2 urban SUV will appeal to a new range of young and young-at heart buyers,” said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.  Disappointingly I was told I was euphemistically firmly placed in the “young at heart” category. Apparently I am older than I feel and look much older than I am!

What’s Good:

What’s Not So Good:

Model   Audi Q2 2.0 l TDI quattro

Overall AnyAuto Rating:   83/100

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