Audi Q2 well positioned step-up for owners of A3 hatchback

The latest addition to Audi’s family of SUVs reached UK showrooms in November, and is well positioned to be a natural step up for current owners of its A3 hatchback.

Badged Q2, it joins the Q3, Q5 and Q7 SUVs, but is predominantly a crossover model, as Audi dealers will sell plenty of the two-wheel drive versions. The 4x4 Quattro derivatives are expected to account for about a tenth of the 13,000 expected annual sales.

The wheelbase is as per the A3 three-door, not the longer A3 Sportback, so buyers may find the back seat legroom a bit stingy and seating three in the back is a squeeze. But this car is pitched as a crossover for couples or singles rather than families – Audi’s launch activity has been very focused on the young and urban. The carmaker has adorned its Q2’s marketing campaign with the hashtag ‘Untaggable’ and a claim that this is a car not so easily defined.

The boot is fairly spacious so it will suit the company car user too – at 405 litres, it will squeeze in more stuff than the A3.

Dealers have a host of optional upsell opportunities, as many equipment packages, exterior colours and tones for interior trim and seat upholstery allow the customer plenty of creative space for personal configuration. Choose SUV-alike dark arches and lower bumpers, or body-colour, and the blade covering the rear pillar is available in five colours.

Standard kit on SE trim includes 16in alloys, manual air-con, pre-sense collision mitigation, and Audi’s smartphone interface, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displayed on its 7in multimedia screen once plugged into the USB connection. For an additional £1,550, buyers can upgrade to Sport trim (expected to be one in two sold) and gain 17in alloys, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, sports seats and sat-nav. This model also includes a three-month trial of Audi’s in-car connectivity service.

Top spec S Line models get some leather upholstery, 18in alloys, LED lights, leather steering wheel and specific S Line styling enhancements. It can also be specified with a digital ‘virtual cockpit’ on a 12.3in dashboard screen, and adjustable dampers controlled through Audi’s drive select system.

The powertrain options for buyers are all familiar Audi units, but customers interested in absolute power and grip can hold out for Quattro all-wheel drive models in 2017 powered by either a 150PS 2.0-litre TDI or a 190PS 2.0TFSI.

“Together with its customisable design and choice of technology, it’s whatever you want it to be,” is Audi’s message.

Untaggable, indeed.