What is it?
The compact crossover class is more cut-throat than most, with almost every manufacturer worth its salt trying to get a slice of this crowded sector. Audi’s Audi Q2 has been one of the more successful players, racking up around 17,000 sales a year since its launch in 2016, making it the firm’s best-selling SUV. Crucially, 50% of buyers are new to Audi , making this an important gateway model.
To keep those sales ticking over, the updated Audi Q2 has been under the knife for a nip and tuck. Unsurprisingly, given the jacked-up supermini’s youthful target demographic, the updates revolve around some sharpened looks and enhanced technology, including the new options of adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
The stylists haven’t exactly been too bold, so you’ll need your ‘Audi Q2 Spotters Guide’ to identify the exterior changes. At the front, there’s a new bumper with an even larger lower grille that’s flanked either side by reshaped ‘implied’ (read ‘fake’) air intakes. LED headlights are now standard across the range, with adaptive matrix technology standard on flagship Vorsprung trim and optional on others. The rear bumper is similarly tweaked and features a new lower diffuser peppered with prominent polygon shapes. There are also some new paint colours and a sprinkling of extra alloy wheel designs.
Inside, the eyeball air vents have been reprofiled and there’s a more angular gearlever (for both manuals and S tronic autos), although it’s arguably less comfortable to hold. The seats and door trims have new fabric finishes, while all models other than entry-level Technik now have the slick 12.3in Virtual Cockpit instruments as standard. The MMI infotainment is still Audi’s last-generation set-up that’s accessed by a rotary controller and hot keys, but it’s more intuitive to use than most touchscreen units.
Otherwise, it’s as before, which means it is just roomy enough for a family of four and for the most part oozes premium appeal.
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Don't like this car, never
Don't like this car, never have. Never a huge fan of SUVs anyway, but something about this car just annoys me. A Juke is a marmite car because of how it looks, and cars like that I appreciate more for at least trying. This doesn't make any attempt at that. It doesn't look good or exciting, the interior is lifted directly from the last A3, and I am not sure what benefits it has over an A1 or A3.
@superstevie
I'm with you on the styling. The whole car is just bland and unimaginative. The one good thing though is that it's got the dash from the previous A3 rather than the new one. Curious though at the criticism of the clutch and gearknob. The last time I drove an A3 it had a lovely clutch and a nice golfball esque gearknob. Why would anyone want a square one?