Audi Q2 Reviewed – The Premium Compact SUV

Audi Q2 Reviewed – The Premium Compact SUV

SUVs make up to 27% of European car sales and with Audi having the Q3, Q5 and the massive Q7, there was space in its SUV lineup for a smaller SUV.  For a long time, the rumour was that it was going to be the Audi Q1 but that has now been confirmed as the Audi Q2. Audi is trying to position this car as a premium compact SUV for a younger buyer. MenStyleFashion went to Zurich to find out what this car has to offer.

After a short transfer from Zurich Airport, I arrived a Duebendorf Air Base where the Audi Q2 was unveiled to the press with a sound and light show in an airplane hangar. What immediately struck me was the Audi graffiti all around the presentation area, which told me they are clearly targeting a younger market. After the short presentation, it was time to hit the road in the Vegas yellow Audi Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro.

Audi Q2 SUV 2016 MenStyleFashion Zurich (25)

Engines

The Audi Q2 hits the market initially with six different engines, three petrol engines and three diesel engines. The petrol engines are the three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI 116 hp, the 1.4 TFSI 150 hp and the 2.0 TFSI 190 hp. The diesel engines are the 1.6 TDI 116 hp, 2.0 TDI 150 hp and the high power 2.0 TDI with 190 hp.

Design

The Audi Q2 polygon design is new to the brand’s car line up. The low roof-line and high window line give the car a coupe-like look. I like the C-pillar blade which can be ordered in different colours thereby individualising the Q2. From the front, the muscular SUV look is enhanced with the high positioning of the single-frame grill and the big sized air inlets. This is a car that is playful,  individual and something that will please the younger market.

“In the Audi Q2 we have developed a distinctively geometric form language with special design characteristics specific to this model. The car thus exhibits an independent character within the Q family.” – Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte.

The length of this Audi Q2 is 4.19 meters and this is clever as there are not really any premium competitors in this area. The Mini Countryman is shorter by 10 cm and the Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes GLA are a lot larger. This makes the Audi Q2 small enough to be useful in the city where parking can be a problem and large enough to take it on weekend breaks or to the countryside.

Audi Q2 SUV 2016 MenStyleFashion Zurich (3)

Technology

The Q2 comes with a lot of technology, you have to when Audi’s byline is vorsprung durch Technik. Offering assistance in critical situations is the standard emergency braking assistant. If a child were to suddenly run into the street or the car ahead was to brake abruptly to a stop, the Q2 can brake automatically in such situations.

On top of that – if the relevant checkmark is set in the equipment list – the car can autonomously maintain a distance to the vehicle ahead, briefly take over the steering in slow-moving traffic on the highway at speeds up to 65 kmh, monitor the blind spot, recognise traffic signs and assist in lane-keeping from a speed of 60 kmh.

Attractive infotainment modules like the Audi smartphone interface round out the range. It links iOS and Android mobile phones to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto environments. The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming as well as transferring a calendar from a smartphone to MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function. It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the navigation system, which then uses it for navigation.

The Drive

The first car I drove out of the airport hanger was the high powered Audi Q2 2.0 TDI quatro with 190 hp. On paper, this was the fastest Audi with 400 nm torque and an acceleration time of 7.2 seconds from 0-100 kmh. This Q2 had the 7-speed semi-automatic S-Tronic gearbox which can also be operated manually with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. I drove this car on country roads and on some high way stretches and acceleration was swift and instant. You could feel this was a powerful engine for a lightweight car.

I loved the information on the head-up display which was providing me with traffic directions, speed and the speed limit. This Audi, as well as the other models I drove, are full of useful technology. Another area which impressed me was the full LED cockpit which you can switch to different modes displaying GPS, playlists or radio stations info.

After the lunch break, I drove a red Audi 1.4 TFSI with 7-speed S Tronic. Here I took the car on a windy mountain road and I must say I was impressed by how well it handled. Body roll was limited, the seats provided enough support and I had fun playing with the paddle shifts driving through the windy roads. The 1.4 TFSI had enough power, this car is fun enough to take out of the city environment.

On my final and third stretch, I had the lower-powered 150 HP 2.0 TDI Quattro that I drove mainly on the highway to our final stop in Zurich. Here I had a play with the adaptive cruise control on the highway and I also tested useful features like the blind-spot warning system. The traffic jams in Zurich gave me plenty of opportunities to test the 14 speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system which sounded superb. Thank you, Audi, for the rock playlist, I loved it.

Audi Q2 SUV 2016 MenStyleFashion Zurich (4)

Q2 Conclusion

So I drove three different Audi Q2’s in one day and they all enough power and all were playful with bright colours. The Audi Q2 is a car that handles well and is equally comfortable in the city as in the country. It is loaded with useful technology to make your drive safer, smarter and more enjoyable. The new design is a break from the current Audi SUV line up and is more attractive and playful. The Audi Q2 will be a hit with young city slickers that want a premium compact SUV.

Fun

After a day of driving it was time for fun in Zurich and Audi had a special historic tram arranged to take the press to the city centre where a nice dinner was prepared. When I walked on to the tram, my Noose & Monkey suit, the reaction from both the men and women really boosted my day. It’s a very versatile suit and whist driving I just wore the vest with my denim shorts and that was a hit too.

Noose & Monkey menswear suit Zurich menStyleFashion 2016 (1)

Plenty of drinks on the tram to keep everyone entertained. Suit by Noose & Monkey.

About The Author

Arthur van de Laak

I am an active traveler, snowboarder and technology geek. I write about male fashion and worldwide travel destinations.

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