The Audi Q2 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV that Audi has developed and produced. Built on the same MQB A1 platform as the Mk7 series Volkswagen Golf, it made its public debut on March 1, 2016, at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The car is made at Relizane, Algeria, the FAW-Volkswagen plant in Foshan, China, and the Audi headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany.
Since November 2016, it has been available in markets across Europe. The Q2 is not offered in the US or Canada, unlike Audi’s other crossovers. China sells a long-wheelbase model known as the Q2L.
Since November 2019, the Q2L e-tron, an all-electric variant, has been produced and sold in China. The Q2L e-tron is powered by a 38 kWh lithium-ion battery made by Contemporary Amperex Technology, a Chinese supplier, and has a range of 265 kilometers (165 miles) and a top speed of 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph). Its electric motor has a maximum output torque of 290 Nm and a maximum output power of 100 kW (134 hp) (214 lbfft). [2]
Due to disappointing sales and plans to switch Audi’s focus to selling larger premium crossovers and SUVs, Volkswagen AG announced in February 2022 that the Q2 will be discontinued when its current generation life cycle ends at the end of the 2023 model year. There is currently no replacement for the Q2 in the works.
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Where are Audi cars made?
Audi has established roots here thanks to the location of its corporate headquarters. At its manufacturing facility in Ingolstadt as well as in Neckarsulm, Audi produces a wide variety of vehicles for the global market.
Will Q2 still be available?
At the conclusion of their present lifecycles, the Audi A1 city car and Q2 crossover will be discontinued from the Audi lineup. The company stated in an official statement that it intended to focus more of its efforts on its larger automobiles and electrification rather than on tiny cars.
According to the official statement: “[The current Q2] will continue for some time. We’re talking about a good number of years. However, we can confirm that when the Audi Q2 is phased out in a few years, there won’t be a straight replacement.” Within the Group, Audi is unmistakably establishing itself as a premium brand. As a result, it is expanding upward while restricting its model range below. Here, the methodical electrification plan will also be crucial. Audi will exclusively release new all-electric cars starting in 2026.
Is buying an Audi Q2 in India worthwhile?
- Five trims of the Audi Q2 are offered, with prices ranging from Rs 34.99 lakh to Rs 48.89 lakh (ex-showroom).
- The Q2 is the current Audi model that is most easily accessible in India.
- The Audi Q2 is powered by a 2.0-liter petrol turbocharged engine that produces 190 horsepower and 320 Nm.
The absence of the Audi A3, Q3, and A4 left the manufacturer in India with a significant gap in the entry-level luxury market. The introduction of the Q2, which is the most approachable model in the range of Audi India, resolves that issue. And yes, I am aware that it is rather pricey, ranging from Rs 34.99 lakh to Rs 48.89 lakh (ex-showroom), but let’s go through all the customary review-y details first.
With sharp edges and squared-off components consistent with the brand’s SUVs we’ve seen over the years, the styling is definitely Audi. Up front, there is a sizable grille that is bordered by angular LED headlights with DRLs. Along with thick C pillars, the roofline almost slants down like an SUV coupe, and the doors have distinctively chiseled bodywork. With sleek looking LED tail lamps, the rear looks more like a jacked-up hatchback than a crossover. For this Technology trim, which we were testing, and the second-from-top Premium Plus II trim, the exterior is given a sharper makeover with optional black alloy wheels and blacked-out elements like the grille, bumper inserts, and ORVM housings. The Audi Q2 is a compact SUV with dimensions of 4.3 meters long, 1.8 meters wide, and roughly 1.6 meters high. While it may lack the road presence some customers seek in SUVs, at least in our opinion, the Audi Q2 appears pretty handsome and well-proportioned.
The Audi Q2 is surprisingly small for its price, at only 4.3 meters long, 1.8 meters wide, and roughly 1.6 meters tall. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
The Q2’s dashboard is significantly more straightforward in look than the cutting edge dual-screen, button-free dashboards we’ve seen in previous Audis. The layout’s circular air vents give it a sporty, Audi TT-like appearance. The infotainment unit’s display does not accept touch inputs; instead, it can only be controlled using the rotary dial hidden below the gear selector. Large, comfy seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and in this top-tier grade, Audi’s all-digital virtual cockpit, certainly one of the best digital systems we’ve seen, are all provided for the driver. Audi chose to go all-black, and the materials they used and overall fit and finish quality are extremely impressive.
absolute best The flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather-leatherette upholstery, and illuminated inlays are standard on the Audi Q2’s technology trim. Audi’s all-digital Virtual Cockpit is undoubtedly among the best in the industry, and the car’s overall quality and fit and finish are excellent. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
Additionally, the Q2’s interior features hip-looking illuminated accents that add to the cabin’s atmosphere and complement the crossover’s overall youthful, sporty image. While the majority of the features you’d expect from a luxury car in this class are included, including wireless charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a large sunroof, two-zone climate control, a reverse parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, to name a few, it does seem like a surprising omission, especially given the asking price, that the front seats are not powered. For an average-sized adult, there is just about enough headroom and knee room in the back seats, but larger people won’t be too happy with the arrangement. The boot’s 355 liter capacity is also not particularly large.
Although the Audi Q2’s seatback is a little upright, the rear seat room is ample. The best position to be in is the driver’s seat. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
It’s obvious that you shouldn’t choose this vehicle if you want to be driven about. The Q2’s driver’s seat is unquestionably the best place to be, and not only because it is roomier and more comfortable. It is the best place to be because of the driving experience that Audi’s new crossover offers. A 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 320Nm of maximum torque and 190bhp of maximum power powers the Q2. It is a well-known unit that also serves on the VW Tiguan AllSpace and the Skoda Superb, but when combined with the Q2’s small size, all-wheel drive, and 1.5-tonne curb weight, it appears much more interesting on paper. Results from the real world are just as thrilling as the Q2’s actual driving pleasure. It accelerates quickly, reaching 100 kph in 6.5 seconds, and it performs admirably in winding sections as well. I know it sounds crazy to say this about a crossover, but the Audi Q2 is really that amazing. It almost feels like driving a hot hatch from behind the wheel. In classic Audi form, the steering lacks feel but is precisely weighted, and if you push it hard enough, it will start to understeer. However, these shortcomings barely detract from the overall driving experience, which has the power to put a grin on your face.
The Audi Q2 appears less like a crossover and more like a hacked-up hatchback from this perspective. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
At idle, the Q2’s engine feels incredibly smooth. While it seems strong enough lower down, this four-cylinder turbo truly finds its stride around about 2,000 rpm. There is no noticeable turbo lag. The 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is responsive and provides little cause for complaint. The transmission can sometimes become stuck and irritate you by not downshifting quickly enough, perhaps when you’re braking before heading into a corner. However, you can always take control with the paddle shifters available to you. Additionally, you have a variety of driving settings that affect the reaction of the engine, gearbox, and steering, including efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. The Q2 exhibits excellent calmness at higher speeds. The ride is hard at low speeds with sharp-edged bumps leaking in, but it dramatically improves as speeds increase.
Only a rotary dial (inset) with an integrated touchpad can be used to access the infotainment setup’s display, which does not enable touch inputs. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible with it. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
Audi is not aiming the Q2 at those looking for a good deal. Entry-level or not, luxury vehicles are rarely considered to be good value for the money. There is no denying that the Audi Q2 is pretty costly for what it offers. Particularly expensive is this Technology trim, which costs Rs 48.89 lakh (ex-showroom). Yes, it may seem difficult to market the Audi Q2, but it all depends on who and how many people you’re attempting to reach. Small, pricey luxury vehicles have been available on the market for years, such as BMW’s Mini lineup, and I’m confident that the Audi Q2 will do the same, albeit not in as many (in terms of luxury vehicle parameters) units. Even sister companies VW and Skoda, whose T-Roc and Karoq vehicles are widely seen as being too pricey for their niche, each attracted 1,000 purchasers despite competing with competitor manufacturers. It is obvious that there is a market willing to ignore the price versus size issue in favor of elements like brand value, build quality, performance, and driving experienceareas where the Audi Q2 excels.
The Audi Q2 accelerates quickly and can reach a top speed of 228 kmph in just 6.5 seconds. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
Verdict
The base variant’s price starts at about Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom). The top-of-the-line Audi Q2 we drove had an asking price of Rs 48.89 lakh (ex-showroom), which is a lot for a vehicle of this size. The Audi Q2 is also exceedingly difficult to sell because entry-level crossovers like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 are half a size bigger and less expensive, and even the similarly sized Mini Countryman has a far lower asking price. Due to being the only one with all-wheel drive available, it has a modest advantage over competitors. If you’re looking for a small, luxurious vehicle that is both thrilling to drive and has good looks and a high-quality interior, the Audi Q2 is a vehicle to take into consideration.
All Audi Q2 grades come standard with LED headlights and LED taillights. Photo by Nishant Jhamb
How many Audi Q2s were sold there?
3,293 units were sold by Audi India during the 2021 calendar year. significantly more than the 1,639 units sold the year before. The newly introduced autos this year are aiding in increasing sales. In December 2021, the firm announced selling the most Audi Q2s ever.
Audi India Sales 2021
Automobile sales faced a unique combination of difficulties in 2020, although Audi had already documented a consistent fall in the years before that. The German company completed the year in the black for the first time in four years in 2021. Sales came in barely under the 3.3k threshold. About 3,000 cars were sold by the company last time, which was in 2010.
Sales were growing at the time, and Audi recorded sales increase through the end of 2015. Sales topped out at 11,192 units in that year. greatest sales volume ever recorded by Audi India. Sales have already decreased to roughly 4.6k units in 2019 prior to 2020. A recovery after its slowdown in 2016 has been challenging. Sales decreased to 7,720 units in that year.
Growth after 3-year decline
While sales have been severely impacted over the past two years, Audi had already been suffering from fewer sales before that. Although there have been challenges in the luxury automobile market, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the other two german brands, have been able to punch in greater numbers and remain stable.
Due to poor base sales, 2021 has appeared to be much more hopeful for Audi. This has made it possible for the corporation to profitably exit negative territory after three years of decline.
Semi-conductor, commodity prices, shipment challenges
Audi India’s CEO, Balbir Singh Dhillon, said: “Despite the tragic second wave of the pandemic and other worldwide issues like semi-conductor, commodity pricing, transportation constraints, etc., we are quite pleased with our success in 2021. Our sales have increased by more than 101% from the previous year.
With the introduction of nine new models, 2021 was a significant year for us. Five of these new models marked our breakthrough into the Indian EV market. We are now the only company with five electric vehicles available. Audi Q8, Audi A4, Audi A6, and our RS models all continued to perform well, and we currently have a healthy order backlog for the beginning of 2022. On the retail front, we increased our pre-owned automobile facilities in 2021 in addition to opening a showroom and workshops for new cars.
“Audi India is likely to have a powerful year in 2022. Our Strategy 2025, which prioritizes Customer Centricity, Digitalization, Products, and Network, will continue to be our main priority. We will continue to reinvent luxury for our consumers with the help of our promising range of volume, performance, and electrified automobiles. We are anticipating a solid performance in the upcoming months because we will have all of our models back in the nation at full strength.
Do all Audi cars come from Germany?
Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, Russia, Brazil, India, and China are a few nations where Audi is produced. Even though Audi has factories all over the world, its headquarters are still in Ingolstadt, Germany. As a German manufacturer, Audi is important to German culture.
Is Audi superior to BMW?
It’s difficult to predict who will win the Audi vs. BMW competition. The same target market is being courted by both producers, but they focus on distinct specifications and features.
When it comes to technology and style, Audi is the winner, but BMW offers a smoother, sportier driving experience. When it comes to safety features, both brands score highly, however Audi has far lower reliability ratings. Although there isn’t much of a difference in price between the two, Audi’s reliability difficulties are evident in the price of repairs.
In the end, they are both fairly similar automobile makers with comparable models that appeal to slightly different demographics. Choose a BMW if you want a sporty, controlled ride. Choose an Audi if you want something with understated style and cutting-edge technology.
We can help if you’re interested in a certain Audi or BMW model. We’ve written a number of thorough comparative pages on particular models, including: