Audi Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro: Is It Audi’s Best SUV?

10 September 2017 Redazione News, Tested

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI QUATTRO

THE TINIEST ONE IS THE BEST AUDI SUV

Words: Christian Parodi

Photography: Gian Romero

A simple badge that might sound like the name of a new android coming out of “Star Wars” has actually become a little obsession for me. Q2, the smallest SUV ever produced by Audi, goes to enrich the 4X4 range of the maker from Ingolstadt, setting itself as a cheaper alternative – at least as a starting price – than the Q3, Q5 and the big Q7. Economical and with a reduced size than the others, but not in terms of mechanics and materials, so in order to set things straight, we have asked for a full specced version, based on the top range of diesel engines, the 2.0 TDI Quattro with S-Tronic gearbox.

Less than 4 meters long and 1 meter and 80cm wide, the Q2 ranges from the small 1.0cc petrol with only front wheel drive, to the model of our long-term test drive, equipped with all the accessories that you may want to show off with your friends at the gym. Aesthetically it is the daughter of modern times, with a very squared line and an aggressive front, which blends perfectly with the pattern of the front grille and LED daytime running lights. Looking at the side, the key motif continues and you can easily notice the clear tilt of the windscreen and those special profiles on the rear pillars, which may you resemble those side blades we saw for the first time on the very first generation R8. At the rear the music does not change and we find a short and quite high tail, with everything you would expect from an Audi born today. Aluminum Audi Sport 19-inch wheels and S-Line package, but above all four-wheel drive, ready to make the small Q2 the best alternative to the various over-grown SUVs. Coupled to the 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, there is an in-line 4-cylinder, a 2-liter outputting 190 horses that push a total weight of just a ton and a half, making the Q2 exceptionally lively, especially when you decide to take advantage of its 400Nm of torque, available at around 1900 rpm. Just then you realize that you are driving a baby SUV as you would with a sports car and start asking yourself if it is professional deformation, or if Audi really packed a big hit, like so many other times. Surely it is not meant for burnouts at the traffic lights or even for attacking some mountain roads screaming Banzai, but the dynamism is upsetting, especially when you set the car in Dynamic mode and the steering response becomes more decisive while the g’box holds longer the gears and the throttle becomes more ready. Without even realizing I’m really exaggerating, going to investigate how it behaves during braking points, noticing no roll or pitch and … what the hell am I doing? It’s an SUV, albeit small, I should talk about practicality and how many babies you can put into the trunk (well…), not about performance.

No way, but don’t worry because I also find the time to play with the virtual cockpit, enjoying the perfection of materials between leather and noble plastics creating a high level interior environment. There is space for five adults and luggage, but that square crown on the bottom of the steering wheel and the paddles behind it encourage me to drive as a bandit, I can‘t do anything about it. The central tunnel is well-finished and free of too many buttons, we find just the climate commands, the drive select (which allows you to set the most suitable parameters for your preferred driving style), Start & Stop, parking sensors, hazards, Traction control and the button that deactivates the big central display – I was just getting there – an 8.3 inches from which to manage infotainment, satellite navigator, radio, etc. also controllable by the rotor behind the shift lever, a circular pad which allows you to write the destination – for example – drawing the letters on it. But the Q2 is not only a fantastic technology device, it is also enjoyable to drive and thanks to a generous engine, always ready to ease overtakes, combining great precision during cornering as well as high-performance on motorways with a fuel consumption that stops at 4.9 l/100km in the mixed cycle. Not bad, especially if you consider that you need 7.3 seconds to take from 0 to 100 kph with a 218 per hour top speed. Yes, we’re always talking about a small diesel SUV, indeed the smallest diesel Audi SUV.

Unfortunately, quality is never cheap, and in fact, to bring a similar model home, you have to take out a check of at least € 55,000, which is about € 16,000 more than the already substantial price list of the 2-liter Quattro with S-Tronic. Budget issues apart, the Q2 impresses, because you can drive it in Comfort and travel as you would do on a 4X4 of a much more important size, or put it in Dynamic and get home a handful of minutes earlier than expected. Multifunctional and with good ground clearance, I find it ideal for those who do not want to give up driving and enjoy all the comforts and gadgets available today without going mad for a parking spot or a fuel pump. A surprise, a car that pleases everywhere, starting from that squared but precise look, almost like those Playmobil toys. I would choose a brighter color, a bright yellow or an orange, because it is capable to enrich your standard movements and it’s not a small thing. Regardless of the fact that we are referring to the highest voice in the list, it deserves that you take a closer look, then you will also cheer for it.

AUDI Q2 2.0 TDI QUATTRO S-TRONIC (2017-)

Layout   –  front-engined, all-wheel-drive

Engine  –  4 cylinder 1.968cc – turbodiesel

Transmission  –  7-speed automatic gearbox

Power  –  190 hp @ 3.500 rpm

                      400 Nm @ 1.900 rpm

Weight  –  1.555 kg

Acceleration  –  7,3 sec.

Top Speed  –  218 kph

Price  –  from € 38.900