That Audi added another crossover-style vehicle to their range in 2016 when they launched the Q2 at the Geneva Motor Show was not really a surprise, as cars of this format continue to take ever larger slices of the market. Almost all manufacturers have figured out that they need the widest possible number of choices to offer to their customers, but what did perhaps surprise people was that it was almost as large as the more established Q3, and not that much cheaper, so it seemed like there was the potential for some internal competition as well as having something to fend off a still growing list of rivals from premium and more value-oriented brands alike. The Q2 is built off the ubiquitous MQB platform, and finds all its mechanical components from the VW Group parts bin, but the result is wrapped in a car that visually could only be an Audi. The most distinctive styling element, and one that makes it easy to tell apart from the slightly larger Q3 is the blade like feature on the rear C pillar. After being on sale for more than five years, I finally got the chance to sample a Q2 when Hertz Italia offered me as a complimentary upgrade for a weekend I had booked to take in a major car show and for a day of exploring. Although more Q2 models are sold in bright colours than is the case for the majority of Audi models, this one came in a rather bland grey, that Audi call Grigio Manhattan Metalizzata (Manhattan Grey Metallic), which would definitely not be my choice. Question is, would the car blend into the background as equally unremarkable of would some particular appeal shine through. Read on!

The test car was badged as a 35 TFSi which, in Audi’s still somewhat impenetrable naming strategy, only gives you and indication of the range of power on offer. Dig more deeply and you learn that it actually has a 1.5 litre four cylinder unit which puts out 150 PS. Standard with this power unit is a six speed manual gearbox, but there is the cost option of a seven-speed dual clutch automatic and that is what featured on the test car. There is quite a purposeful sound on start up, and although the engine note is generally well muted once underway there was a slight roar on harder acceleration which was not unpleasant or excessive. The Q2 felt quite brisk and was always pleasingly refined with low overall noise levels even when cruising on the autostrada and the cars has a planted feel to it which is not something you get in some of its (cheaper) rivals. When accelerating, the transmission was smooth, making gearchanges almost imperceptibly but I did note that it had a habit of hanging onto gears when going downhill. Apparently, there is a cylinder deactivation technology which shuts off two cylinders under light loads. I was unaware of this feature which is more than can be said for the Stop/Start, which was very eager to cut in, which could get frustrating when manoeuvering, such as in a parking area. I covered a total of 575 km, and the Audi needed 33.5 litres to fill it which works out a very respectable 48.7 mpg.

Although pleasant enough to drive, the Q2 is not class-leading in terms of driver enjoyment. The steering is light but it does have some feel. There is plenty of grip and pleasingly little body roll, so the car could be pushed into the twistier bits of some of the mountain roads I took the car on with some gusto, thanks in no small measure to the fact that whilst this is a crossover, it is nothing like as tall as most of the genre, so it does not suffer from the same heightened centre of gravity that most do. Unless you upgrade to the SQ2, then all Q2 models are front wheel drive only, and honestly you don’t really feel the need for a quattro system here. The brakes worked well. This version of the Q2 comes on the smallest available wheels, 215/60 R16, and standard suspension which, although somewhat firmer than that of cars like the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur, means that it rides quite nicely, so the car always felt comfortable both on main and country roads and heaving up over the mountains. I had no significant issues with visibility, despite the rather chunky C pillar, the car’s compact dimensions making it relatively easy to park and rear parking sensors are included in every version which also helps out.

The Q2 pre-dates Audi’s recent decision to downgrade the quality of their interiors, as manifest by the latest A1 and A3, so what you get here is still nicely finished and made from sone good quality materials that both look and feel good and which are all easy to use and there is an elegant simplicity to the overall layout. There is a mottled silver inlay to add some colour contrast to what would perhaps otherwise be a rather black and slightly sombre appearance. The chunky leather-wrapped wheel is pleasant to hold. The instrument layout is classic Audi with two large dials for the speedometer and rev counter and then under these are gauges which use a series of illuminated bars for fuel level and water temperature, leaving the central area clear for trip computer displays. You cycle between the various menu options using buttons on the steering wheel hub. Here you will also find, from quite a large number of other buttons, audio repeaters and cruise control settings. There are a pair of column stalks for indicators and wipers whilst the lights operate from a rotary dial on the dash to the left of the wheel, all of which operate with an agreeable precision. The relatively small infotainment screen, mounted nice and high on the top of the centre of the dash, has particularly clear graphics but feels a bit old-school for 2023, as it is not touch sensitive. You need to use the turn wheel in the centre console to select individual letters on the navigation system, which is rather clunky now, though it does of course work and is probably more usable when on the move than having to jab at a touch interface. The other MMI functions are fine when selected in this way, using four buttons, the control wheel and a touch pad. As well as navigation, part of the Business Edition pack on the test car, there is a DAB radio and support for Apple Car Play and Android Auto. I did find some of the pronunciations from the navigation systems a bit odd. Featured lower in the centre of the dash are some simple, and now somewhat old-school, turn knobs for the dual zone climate control which are so much easier to use than the complex array of buttons you get in most cars these days.

Access to the passenger compartment is easy, thanks to the SUV-type styling which means you feel like you are sliding in, as opposed to settling down. Seat trim is a kind of cloth which is in some ways preferable to the more costly leather options available elsewhere in the Q2 range. Adjustment is all-manual, with a bar under the seat for fore/aft and a turn wheel on the seat side for backrest rake. There is height adjustment for both front seats and the seat belts are also height-adjustable. There is plenty of movement on offer in every direction and there is particularly generous headroom. The steering wheel has a wide range of movement up/down and in/out. The seats themselves proved comfortable.

Perhaps not surprisingly, given the relatively compact dimensions of the A2, rear space is not that generous and with the front seats set well back, there really is not that much legroom. The car is not really wide enough for three adults to sit comfortably here, either and indeed the middle part of the seat has quite a hard raised piece to it which would not be nice to sit on for any period of time even before contending with the limited knee room as the centre console unit comes well back. At least headroom should be abundant enough for most. There is no central armrest and nor are there any pockets on the back of the front seats, but there are at least pockets on the doors for a few odds and ends.

Similarly the boot is not that large, though it is actually bigger than that in the A3. It has a nice regular shape which should prove adequate for four people and the floor is flush with the base of the tailgate, so loading up is easy. More space can be created by dropping down the asymmetrically split rear seat backrests which does result in a flat load bay. All versions of the Q2 have an electrically assisted tailgate. Inside the passenger compartment there is a fairly sizeable glovebox as well as door pockets and an armrest cubby as well as useful recess in front of the gearlever. The cupholders did feel on the cheap side, which is surprising given the quality feel to the rest of the interior.

Although the essence of the Q2 has changed little since its introduction in 2016, Audi have tweaked the range a number of times since then, with quite a bit more kit and options added in the 2020 mid-cycle update. The early cars came with a choice of two petrol engines and a diesel. The entry level car the 1.0 litre unit that features widely across the VW Group range and this is still available, now badged as the 30 TFSi. It puts out 110 PS. The more powerful 1.4 TFSi model was upgraded to the more modern 1.5 litre unit as that was introduced across Group products and the 1.6 litre TDi fell by the wayside as demand for diesel models diminished. A more powerful 2.0 TFSi unit was offered for a short while, too and then in 2018 Audi added a rather more potent SQ2 to the range which offers no less than 300 bhp. Both the 30 and 35 TFSi models have a choice of six speed manual and seven speed automatic transmissions but if you want the quattro all-wheel drive system you will need to select an SQ2 model. Audi have similarly offered a number of different trim levels following the same sort of approach as they apply to the rest of their range with S-line and Black Edition cars have visual changes to make them look a little more sporting or aggressive. The Audi Q2 S-Line introduces a further number of styling enhancements including 18-inch alloy wheels, exterior styling packs, a unique S-Line sports steering wheel, black headlining, stainless steel pedals, part leather trim, the LED interior lighting pack and aluminium cabin inlays. Topping the range is the Audi Q2 Black Edition, which introduces black exterior detailing, diamond cut gloss black 19-inch alloys and privacy glass. Beneath these two, there have been various other trim options ranging from the Edition #1 which was sold for a couple of years from launch, the SE, Technik, Sport and Business Edition. Of these, the UK market currently gets the Technik and the Sport. The entry-level Audi Q2 Technik comes with kit such as 16-inch alloy wheels, manual air-con, LED headlights, auto dimming mirrors all-round, an electric tailgate, cruise control and electric lumbar support in the front seats. It also gets an 8.3-inch multimedia screen with smartphone connectivity and the ability to retrofit sat-nav. Step up to the Audi Q2 Sport and you’ll get kit such as 17-inch alloys, the MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system with Audi Connect remote services and a WiFi hotspot, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital dials, a drive select function and sports seats in the front. The Business Edition, as tested, is based on the spec of the Technik but adds in a navigation system as standard.

The Q2 really did strike me as everything you expect from an Audi, wrapped in a slightly smaller footprint and with a slightly cheaper price. For sure, it will cost quite a bit more than cars such as the VW T-ROC and Seat Ateca, with which it shares most elements under the skin, as well as other similarly sized rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Kona, but you are getting a car which looks and feels like a quality product with a particularly nicely done interior, which is pleasant to drive and roomy enough to meet the needs of many. I can certainly see the appeal, and even though the car is now a few years old, why it still sells comparatively well, even if not well enough for Audi to be considering a direct replacement. Yet again, evidence that car makers are feeling the squeeze on profits and forcing us into bigger cars as a consequence, which is a shame, as the Q2 is plenty large enough for most people.