Used Audi Q2 for sale: everything you need to know
The Audi Q2 is the smallest model in Audi’s sprawling line-up of SUVs. It is a rival to best-selling cars such as the Ford Puma and Nissan Juke, bringing that added bit of upmarket Audi class to the table.
A cheeky-looking car with chunky, assertive lines, the Audi Q2 is one of our favourites from the current Audi line-up. Its quite a different proposition to the Audi Q3 but has been on sale for a few years now and earned itself a loyal following. Audi also offers a super-powerful flagship Audi SQ2, which boasts a substantial 300PS. There’s little else like it.
Other, more premium rivals to the Audi Q2 include the BMW X2 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA and the excellent Volvo XC40.
There’s plenty of choice in the core Audi Q2 line-up, offering style and practicality without breaking the bank.
Should you buy an Audi Q2?
The Audi Q2 is certainly a likeable small SUV. It’s a real cut above mainstream rivals such as the Renault Captur and Honda HR-V, with all the appeal of the famous Audi badge and a really top-notch interior.
Indeed, the cabin is all the more appealing as you move up through the model range. Higher-spec variants such as Audi Q2 S line and Audi Q2 Vorsprung add some bespoke detailing and luxurious features, making it feel just as special as a larger Audi.
The Audi Q2 is surprisingly roomy, too. As it sits higher off the ground than a regular hatchback and there’s more space for passengers, who get a real sense of roominess inside. A 405-litre boot is larger than a regular family hatch as well, even if luggage space in the Audi SQ2 isn’t quite so generous.
The range has been slimmed down, with Audi concentrating on two excellent petrol engines: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder. Both are punchy, super-smooth and very good on fuel.
Then there’s the thriller at the top of the range: the 300PS Audi SQ2. This has a sub-5.0-second 0-62mph time, which it will replicate in all weathers thanks to quattro four-wheel drive and an S tronic automatic transmission. There’s little else quite like it – and Audi doesn’t go OTT with the styling, so you can hide your light under a bushel.
The Audi Q2 is a really strong all-rounder. It’s visually appealing, has an upmarket interior and ticks all the boxes in terms of practicality. It drives nicely as well, with even the 30 TFSI engine proving more than up to the job.
As for the Audi SQ2, we love it – and all the goodies you get as standard in Audi SQ2 Vorsprung guise, even if the price tag reflects this.
That the Audi Q2 doesn’t cost much more to buy or lease than a regular, everyday small SUV seals the deal for us. Add it to your shortlist and check it out in detail. It may just surprise you.
An Audi Q2 not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
What’s the best used Audi Q2 model to buy?
With a fairly aggressive pricing strategy that sees the Audi Q2 stack up against some seven-seat SUVs in the top trim levels, we think it's better to stick to the lower end of the spectrum, with a front-wheel drive petrol model.
The entry-level 1.0-litre Audi Q2 30 TFSI is chirpy enough to potentially be all the car you really need, it feels light on its toes and is fun to drive, but will struggle to perform once the car is fully laden with people and luggage.
So for us, the pick of the engine range is the 1.5-litre 35 TFSI petrol, with smoother performance, responsive in-gear acceleration, and excellent cruising refinement. Keep your right foot in check, and its also capable of returning over 40mpg, so everyday running costs are only marginally higher than in the less powerful model.
It's worth going for the Audi Q2 Sport trim so that you at least have the option to upgrade the infotainment system - if you don't then your Q2 will start to date pretty quickly.
Used Audi Q2 fuel economy and performance
Audi Q2 1.0 TFSI petrol: Available from the Q2's launch in 2016, this three-cylinder petrol engine has 115PS and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. The official combined fuel economy is 49.6 mpg. It evolved into the 30 TFSI engine later in the Q2's life.
Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI petrol: The punchier petrol engine from the Q2's introduction is 1.4 litres in size and has 150PS. It's available with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox
Audi Q2 30 TFSI petrol: The entry-level Audi Q2 engine sounds small in size at 1.0 litres, but the three-cylinder engine is turbocharged, so puts out 110PS and decent pulling power. It accelerates from 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds and averages 47.1 mpg. It’s only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, in front-wheel-drive guise.
Audi Q2 35 TFSI petrol: A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, the 35 TFSI has 150PS and delivers 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. Impressively, because the engine can shut down two cylinders during light running, which saves fuel, it averages 47.9 mpg (Audi calls the technology ‘Cylinder on Demand’). It is available with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission as an option, or a standard six-speed manual.
Audi SQ2 TFSI quattro petrol: The effervescent 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine in the Audi SQ2 produces a full 300PS which, in a compact car like this, equals 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. Quattro four-wheel drive is standard, as is the S tronic automatic transmission. But you do pay a price for the performance: it only averages 34.0 mpg.
Audi Q2 1.6 TDI diesel: Today, the Q2 is only available new with petrol power, but you'll find diesel models on the used market. The range started with the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel with 115PS, available with both manual and automatic gearboxes, and promises up to 64.2mpg with a 0-62mph time of 10.3 seconds.
Audi Q2 2.0 TDI diesel: The larger, more powerful diesel engine has 150PS and comes only with an automatic gearbox, which gives it a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds and a claimed fuel economy of up to 56mpg.
What used Audi Q2 trims levels are available?
The Audi Q2 SE was the original entry-level Q2, although it was replaced by the Technik model in 2020. It had a decent equipment list, featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, manual air conditioning and Audi's MMI infotainment system.
The Audi Q2 Technik is the most rugged-looking Audi Q2 grade and was introduced in 2020. It has black lower bumpers and wheelarch extensions, and a sensibly-sized set of alloy wheels that will shrug off city-centre scrapes.
The Audi Q2 Sport brings a bit more glamour to the Audi Q2, with more chrome accents on the outside and a comfortable set of sports seats. It also gets Audi MMI sat-nav within the standard infotainment screen.
The Audi Q2 S line is more stylish still. The alloy wheels grow to 18 inches and it has a full S line exterior styling pack, which is fully colour-coded. The interior has a darker colour scheme and smart S-embossed seats.
The Audi Q2 Edition #1 was the special launch edition when the Q2 was introduced in 2016. It built on the SE trim by upgrading to 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and S line body styling, with Nappa leather upholstery and cruise control.
The Audi Q2 Black Edition takes S line grade and adds a ‘black pack’ makeover, with black for the grille, bumper inserts, window surrounds and door mirrors. The wheels grow further, to 19 inches, and they’re finished in diamond-cut black.
The Audi Q2 Vorsprung is the fully loaded, top-of-the-range model. It features matrix LED headlights as standard, as well as dynamic indicators, as well as Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Audi SQ2 is the high-performance Audi Q2, with a 300PS engine, S tronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Spot it from its S design body styling, aluminium door mirror caps and quad exhaust tailpipes at the rear.
The Audi SQ2 Black Edition follows the ‘black pack’ trend with larger 19-inch alloys, and a moody makeover that even covers the Audi badges and exhaust tailpipes. The rear spoiler is larger, too.
The Audi SQ2 Vorsprung is the most luxurious Audi Q2, with a fully-inclusive standard specification that stretches to LED Matrix headlights, fine Nappa leather upholstery and a unique set of 19-inch white-gloss alloys.
Used Audi Q2 dimensions and boot size
The Audi Q2’s exterior dimensions are:
The Audi Q2’s boot size is:
Used Audi Q2 road tax
The majority of Q2 owners will be charged the a flat rate of £180 in road tax (VED) every year. The only exceptions are older versions registered before 1 April 2017, which pay a fee based on their CO2 outputs.
Some of these used cars will be quite cheap – the 1.0 TFSI and 1.6 TDI will cost just £35 – especially when you consider that an SQ2 fitted with a few options will creep over the £40,000 threshold for the premium rate. Called the 'showroom' tax, you have to pay this higher rate for the first six years of ownership. It comprises an additional £390 charge over and above the standard £150 under the new system, for a £570 yearly total.
How much is it to insure an Audi Q2?
If you choose carefully, the Audi Q2 will prove a surprisingly affordable small SUV to insure. The Audi Q2 30 TFSI starts from group 14 (out of 50) for insurance, with the S line and Black Edition moving up just one group. The more powerful Audi Q2 35 TFSI is pricier, though, with insurance ratings starting from group 20. The high-performance Audi SQ2 starts from group 33, with top-spec Vorsprung versions in group 34.
