2021 Audi Q2

Audi Q2 2021 Review

With every European luxury automaker, there are the staples that constantly get the limelight and the lion’s share of the attention – in the case of Audi these would be cars like the A4, Q5, and R8. These are the models people most often associate the brand with, along with their high-performance RS variants that become more and more outlandish with every generation.

But between these particular models, there are plenty of other options to discover which are better designed, developed, and built to meet your particular needs. In addition to the sedans of various sizes, and smaller performance cars and hot hatches that bridge the gap between mass market luxury and the R8, there is also a smattering of SUVs and crossovers in a variety of sizes and shapes.

The smallest of these models happens to be the Audi Q2, which is the most compact of the compact crossovers in Audi’s line-up. It was first unveiled globally back in 2016, eventually making its way to Malaysia in 2019, and having the most recent facelifted model introduced here at the start of this year. For the time being, there is but a singular variant of the Audi Q2 available here.

Audi Q2 2021 Specifications

The singular powertrain option for the singular variant of the Audi Q2 available locally is the 1.4 TFSI – an engine package that many are familiar with as it appears in a number of different products across the Audi range. In essence it is a turbocharged, 1.4-litre petrol engine that makes 150 hp and 250 Nm in this state off tune.

In other markets, this engine comes paired with a six-speed manual as standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch type automatic or an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission are available as options. For our market, the Audi Q2 comes packaged with the latter, along with tiptronic override functionality for better gear control.

Besides the other transmission options that don’t make it to our shores, the Audi Q2 is also available with an even smaller 1.0 TFSI engine making 114 hp and 200 Nm of torque, as well as a larger 2.0 TFSI engine that produces a healthy 190 PS and 320 Nm of torque – neither of these options are available here. In addition to this, the Q2 doesn’t come with the quattro all-wheel drive system.

Dimensionally, the Audi Q2 comes in at 4,191 mm long, 1,794 mm wide, and 1,508 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,601 mm. The curb weight is a fairly lithe 1,205 kg, despite being underpinned by the MQB platform that forms the backbone of a number of other models.

Audi Q2 2021 Exterior

While Audi has some rather questionable packaging for the features and functionality of the Audi Q2, it does come with Matrix LED headlamps with dynamic light design and turn signal as standard, as well as LED daytime running lights and rear combination lamps. The wheels that come as standard are a 17-inch alloy set in a five Y-spoke style, though larger 18-inch options are also available for additional cost.

Audi Q2 2021 Interior

Leather and leatherette make up the brunt of the materials in the cabin of the Audi Q2, although you will find decorative inserts in the Light Graphics Format finish. There is also an ambient lighting package plus available as standard, along with a leather-wrapped three spoke steering wheel. The dashboard layout is pretty normal for a modern Audi, with a simplified design that props the infotainment screen high on the dashboard and dots vents across the width of the dashboard.

Audi Q2 2021 Safety Features

At this end of the price spectrum, the Audi Q2 doesn’t benefit from quite as many safety systems as standard – at least none of the advanced ones. Electronic Stability Control and ABS with EBD are all provided, as are six airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Unfortunately, if you want items like Lane Departure Warning and Lane change assistant, these will come at an extra charge.

Audi Q2 2021 Strengths & Weakness

Understanding the strengths of the Audi Q2 can be a little difficult, although when you really start to look at it you begin to see that it doesn’t have many natural rivals of its own. For those looking for a progressive step up from their more mass market compact crossover products, the Audi Q2 represents a pretty unique direction rather than to go to the next biggest model.

In that sense, for the common city dweller the Audi Q2 is the perfect vehicle to go about your day with, offering you ease of mind when it comes to parking and maneuvering in traffic, as well as a reasonable amount of poke so you can get up to speed or overtake without straining the engine as much. It’s unfortunate then that so many items are only available as optional extras – especially when it comes to advanced safety systems which should be packaged with the car from factory, and would hold more value than matrix-type LED headlamps.

Audi Q2 2021 Price

The singular variant of the Audi Q2 on offer in Malaysia is the 1.4 TFSI model, and this goes for RM 228,526.00 – on the road, without insurance, and inclusive of the current government exemptions for sales and service tax. This price is also only applicable to sales in Peninsular Malaysia, and has a five-year unlimited mileage warranty attached to it.

In addition to this, there are numerous other packages that you can select to add on to your Audi Q2. An additional tool kit and jack with a space-saving spare wheel is RM 1,703.43, while the Parking Aid Plus and rear view camera system tacks on RM 9,402.92. Lane departure warning and lane change assistant are not included as standard, but can be tacked on for RM 4,088.23 ad RM 7,222.53 respectively.

If you want a pair of sports seats in front, you’ll need to fork out an additional RM 4,905.87, while a sports suspension system costs you RM 2,998.03. The SONOS premium sound system is also a whopping RM 7,290.67, and if you want an additional charging outlet for rear passengers it will cost you RM 2,452.94. Finally, the five-spoke Graphite Grey alloy wheels in 18-inch sizing can be added on as an RM 10,901.94 option.

Audi Q2 2021 Features

The Audi Q2 comes as a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to features. The higher end sound system is not provided as standard, nor are charging outlets at the rear or items like sport seats. What does come standard is cruise control, progressive steering, automatic headlights and wipers, as well as automatic climate control and the Audi virtual cockpit for the instrument cluster. One can’t help but wonder if some of these features could have been traded in favour of more Malaysian-friendly items.

Audi Q2 2021 Fuel Consumption

The fuel consumption figures for the Audi Q2 are relatively low for a compact crossover, but not exactly low by compact car standards in general. Audi quotes a 6.1 litre per 100 kilometre efficiency rating, which translates to roughly 16.4 kilometres per litre of fuel. This figure can also swing quite drastically towards the thirsty end of the spectrum as turbocharged engines are known to consume significantly more fuel when driven aggressively.