Audi Q2

If Mercedes had their own baby crossover called the GLA, then Audi had their own take on such thing by giving birth to a sport utility variation of the A1 called the new Audi Q2. As if the crossover trend continues to grow, altering its form, and strengthening perpetually through the years, the new Audi Q2 is just one of the basic examples of why crossovers, no matter how big or small they get, are still everywhere on the roads.

2017 Audi Q2

As stated, the Audi Q2 is basically an Audi A1 with some added ground clearance on it and while it looks more robust and as tough as a high school jock, what this car feels is no jock itch here because it feels more of a compact hatchback rather than being a crossover utility vehicle that was made to go through several trips to the thrift store later. It's more like a Nissan Juke in so many levels, if you ask anyone driving it.

2017 Audi Q2 interior

2017 Audi Q2 interior

The inside job is very similar to the Audi A1 which is based upon and while being small in size, it's still rather nice to sit upon and fiddle around with its toys while you're not moving about. Spacing-wise, the Q2's boot is big enough to fit a macho box and some other thrift store haul while the rear seats are folded. With the rear seats present, it's good enough to fit today's stuff you bought from the grocery or at the mall. Whichever comes first, the Q2 is a practical crossover that knows what the anyone's doing on their daily routine, be it going to work, hanging out with friends downtown, or taking a stroll on your day off.

If anyone's going for the Technology selection & Sound Paket, the Q2 will come equipped with some gadgets to fiddle around such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit instrumental panel, Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch, and smartphone interface that works with your iPhone (Apple Carplay) or Android phones (Android Auto), among many others. Now that's smart for a jock on the road.

2017 Audi Q2

What lies under the hood of the Audi Q2 is a choice of either a 1.4 TFSI, 1.6 TDI, or a 2.0 TDI engine. The quickest variant of the Q2 will be the 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic which gets up from 0 to 100kph in 7.3 seconds and the most economical variant will be the 1.6 TDI 6-speed manual that promises 120 - 114 g/km of CO2 emissions, although I should talk about that diesel stuff later on because of the ongoing fiasco happening on with the diesel engines from the VW family tree.

Anyway, because this is basically an Audi A1 underneath, the Q2 is more of a city car than an SUV and the way it behaves as a luxury compact crossover is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class because they can be all-weather compacts for anyone who are feeling under the weather, they're both city cars that like to breathe around the metropolis, they're both luxury cars with a slightly luxury price which is unheard for both luxury car makers. And if you're willing to ask the price difference between those two, better prepare for some questions because the Q2 starts at 22,900 Euros, which is almost five grand less than the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Sounds like a bargain, right?

Yes, the pricing is what sets the Q2 apart but if you can dare to ask what to like about the Q2, chances are is its sizing, its value for money, its tech, and pretty much about it but if you're not afraid to ask what not to like, it could be the enjoyment that you can take it along on a trip and if you got kids, delete it from one of your choices for your next car because that might not be enough to be classified as a family car or two.

Available colors: Brillantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Vegasgelb, Quantumgrau, Florettsilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Korallenorange Metallic, Mythosschwarz Metallic, Nanograu Metallic, Tangorot Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, and Arablau Kristalleffekt.

Photo: Audi AG