by Rebaneilwe Semakane
We’re spoiled with how many small SUVs there are to choose from, all coming in different shapes and sizes. The Audi Q2 is not exactly new to the stable, having been with us for around 7 years now. News has it that this vehicle, along with the Audi A1 is set to be discontinued in the coming years. We recently drove the Urban Edition of the Q2.
On the exterior, the Urban is still very much a Q2, with just the addition of Matrix LED headlamps, as standard. The Manhattan Grey Metallic hue the vehicle is finished in is stunning, giving the car a more mysterious and stealthier look. The Q2 sits on 18-inch wheels and overall, the exterior look of the car is indeed urban (as the name suggests) and contemporary.
The interior feels dated – but the brand has been delivering some of the best cabins since 2009 so we’ll forgive it. You do get a multifunction steering wheel, heated seats, 4-way lumbar support and Audi’s virtual cockpit, which is a lovely sight to behold, and it is quite legible. One must use a rotary knob to operate the infotainment system, which can distract you from the road. The lack of a reverse camera did disappoint me, albeit there is a parking aid fitted, I think a camera would have been a nice touch. Overall, the interior quality is very premium, good use of materials all around and the car feels solid.
The Audi Q2 35 TFSI Urban Edition is powered by a punchy 1.4l engine that produces 110kW and 250Nm, mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. This car drives beautifully, overtaking is seamless, and it retains power nicely. There is very little to fault, one does not experience much turbo lag and even on highway driving, it carries itself well. I do, however think that this is the perfect city slicker, a car that’s meant for the grocery run and the like. Audi claims a fuel consumption of 6.1l/100KM, and over our test period we managed a 6.2l/100KM.
Now, this is where it gets a little tricky. Our test unit will set you back R744 250, and considering how “basic” the car is, the price is a little unwarranted. I don’t think it would have been a hassle to add small creature comforts such as electric seats, a reverse camera and maybe a blind spot monitor. In a highly contested segment, I think Audi should have given the Q2 a bit of a better send-off. It is a charming and alluring vehicle, but with rivals such as the MINI Countryman and Volvo XC40 in its sights, it might be a bit of a hard sell. There will be some technical advancements made to this car in quarter 4 of this year, so hopefully we will see something new then. For now, the Q2 is a stunner, but an expensive stunner.