The Audi SQ2 Is A Small Yet Seriously Mighty SUV

Audi has used a 296bhp engine to turn the ordinary Q2 into something much, much faster. Is this the fastest small SUV around?
The Audi SQ2 Is A Small Yet Seriously Mighty SUV

After months of knowing it’d come, endless teasers and loads of un-camouflaged spy shots, here’s our first official look at the Audi SQ2. Audi is S-ing pretty much every car it makes at the moment, so it was only a matter of time before the baby SUV got a bit feistier.

Well actually, a lot feistier. The SQ2 is packing a bit more power than we expected – VW’s much-used 2.0-litre turbo engine produces just shy of 300bhp here – just like in the upcoming T-Roc R. With the standard quattro four-wheel-drive and a seven-speed DSG ‘box, the chunky SQ2 hits 0-62mph in a scarcely believable 4.8 seconds. It’s faster than a Leon Cupra with that configuration. Faster than the BMW X2 as well, which won’t go down too well with Munich’s execs. In fact, it’s even quicker than a Porsche Cayman.

But, besides the four tell-tale exhausts, you might not notice – unless one is bearing down on your rear bumper very quickly. It’s very subtle, and almost slips under the radar. On that big, square grille, the tiny SQ2 badge isn’t very noticeable and, if you parked this next to an S-Line model, there wouldn’t be too many differences.

The standard Q2 was launched in 2016
The standard Q2 was launched in 2016

That said, one major difference is that, in the SQ2, you’ll be sat 20mm closer to the ground. So that’s a lowered SUV, which itself is a heightened version of a hatchback. Would it have been easier just to get the S3? Maybe, but there’s no doubt this’ll sell like hot cakes. With the BMW X2 M35i already out and a new GLA AMG likely to follow, it’ll be an intriguing triple test.

You get 19-inch alloys, a premium audio system and a sporty interior, filled with the usual ‘S’ badging, black headliner and part-leather Alcantara sports seats. Autocar reports that Audi’s brilliant Virtual Cockpit system still isn’t a standard feature, but adaptive cruise control and Traffic Jam Assist are.

With the SQ2 finally being revealed, we have just one question. When’s the RS Q2 coming out, Audi?

Comments

Niko Ala-Rämi 🇫🇮

Does it work somewhere else than asphalt, that’s the question I thought when I saw this

09/29/2018 - 10:54 |
16 | 4

Probably not

09/29/2018 - 11:00 |
12 | 4

Only if it’s a stretxh of green in front of a School or Soccer Training ground…

09/29/2018 - 12:52 |
6 | 0

Don’t think so.. Low ground clearance, haldex quattro.. Not really a SUV imo, just a rised hatchback with high roof at this point

09/30/2018 - 07:30 |
2 | 0
BlueLion205

Ugly😕

09/29/2018 - 11:07 |
4 | 4

Well better than some Juke or a Eclipse Cross at least.

09/29/2018 - 11:08 |
2 | 2
trabant 601

Pointless vehicle, like all “sporty” suvs

09/29/2018 - 11:09 |
66 | 10

‘S’UV. Never understood why it’s SPORTS Utility Vehicle even for the non sporty ones and then they have these, as you say, “sporty” SUVs. Maybe S^2 UV?

09/29/2018 - 15:36 |
16 | 6

Agree but audi still do a good job of making their vehicles look good

09/29/2018 - 15:51 |
10 | 4

How are sporty suvs pointless. They serve a purpose just like all performance suvs and trucks

09/30/2018 - 00:46 |
0 | 0

Being a hatchback owner for years but having to put up with the atrocious state of UK roads, with potholes and countless speed bumps wrecking my suspension, I can finally see why people are leaning towards SUVs now. You get that same hatchback practically, but in a vehicle more capable for the road conditions. And to those preaching about “true off-road capability”, how many times does the average person drive off-road?? These SUVs aren’t marketed for that, so what’s the problem?

09/30/2018 - 09:29 |
2 | 2

Not sure the F-PACE SVR or Maserati Levante GTS are pointless because if someone needs a family car but also something fast then they can have their cake and eat it, too.

10/01/2018 - 07:09 |
0 | 0
FLixy Madfox

This thing is quick! 0-60 in 4.8 seconds? That’s crazy!

09/29/2018 - 11:11 |
8 | 2
Anonymous

More like small yet seriously ugly.

09/29/2018 - 12:06 |
2 | 2
Uzair Patel

Quite fast for a small SUV. Surprised and intrigued

09/29/2018 - 12:10 |
6 | 2

The 2.0 190 HP version does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds…

09/29/2018 - 16:13 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

For some reason I like how the regular Q2 looks better

09/29/2018 - 12:47 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

I think instead of making these SUVs into quick road cars, they could turn them into quick dirt cars. Sell them with snorkels, knobbly tyres AND a 300hp engine.

09/29/2018 - 16:12 |
4 | 0
Basith Penna-Hakkim

I actually like this small SUV probably the only one from this segment

09/29/2018 - 19:49 |
0 | 0
Gazzzz

4.8s for 0-62 is good. The x2 M35i do this in 4.9s. Bit what’s about the 0-200km/h? And wait for the real X2M…

09/30/2018 - 10:04 |
0 | 0

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