Audi’s new Q2 adds a premium badge to the fiercely competitive small SUV market. According to Audi, the Q2 is aimed at “young, urban drivers”. Consequently, it has slightly less conservative exterior styling than the brand’s larger SUVs, as well as plenty of interior and exterior colour options. However, the Q2 needs to offer plenty of practicality alongside good looks and a classy interior. So, has Audi succeeded in making the Q2 both useable and trendy? We invited a team of What Car? readers to decide at an exclusive preview.

Oliver Hodgson

Age: 25Job: Fleet administration managerDrives: DS 3

‘The exterior looks better than I thought it would. The sharp lines set it apart from Audi’s other Q-series cars and make it look really individual. I think that will help it appeal to younger buyers.

‘The optional scrolling indicators in the tail-lights are a nice touch; they make the Q2 look posher.

‘The coupé-like, sloping rear roofline looks good, and it doesn’t affect head room for rear seat passengers too much.‘Inside, you can have colour-customisable ambient lighting on the dashboard and centre console, which adds to the visual appeal. It’s great that the infotainment system has a rotary dial controller because it’s easy to make errors when using a touchscreen, especially while driving.

‘The futuristic Virtual Cockpit is a great option. It puts useful driving information, such as sat-nav instructions, in front of the driver. It’s a good safety aid because it means you don’t have to take your eyes off the road for long to look at it.

‘On top of all this, the Q2 looks like it’d be practical enough for a family. There’s enough room for four, and the boot is more spacious than I’d expect for a car of this size.’

Rated 4 out of 5

Kai-Wah Ip

Age: 49Job: Restaurant ownerDrives: Peugeot 208

'The Q2 has a masculine design that I like. The angular profile of the side doors makes the car look like it’s been chipped out of a piece of rock, and the rear quarter of the car is very butch – it reminds me of the 1980s Audi Quattro coupé.

‘I am a fan of the options that allow buyers to personalise cars, and I especially like the contrasting coloured ‘blade’ on the Q2’s rear pillar. This car’s yellow and grey colour scheme is one I’d consider.

‘Even though the Q2’s exterior dimensions are compact, the interior is surprisingly roomy. I’m looking for a car that’s more sophisticated inside than my current car, and the Q2 fits that brief.

‘The driver’s seat and steering wheel have lots of adjustment, so it’s easy to find a good driving position.

‘I’d like to try the 1.4-litre petrol engine. I don’t do long distances, but I do short trips all the time, so it would be ideal for me.

‘I think the Q2 will appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. It’s targeted at younger people, but it certainly appeals to me.’

Rated 4 out of 5

Find out what our other two readers thought of the Q2 on the next page.

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