Audi SQ2 2021 Review

Some German vehicles, especially the SUVs, have long and complicated names. But not the new-to-Australia 2021 Audi SQ2.

Just three letters: S Q 2. It means it’s a performance version (S) of an Audi SUV (Q) that is compact (2) in size. But when we say performance, we don’t mean hyper-performance. Then it would be an RS Q2, a model that as far as we know does not exist.

Compare this simple naming philosophy to the SQ2’s rivals. There’s the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC, the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, and perhaps most complex of them all, the BMW X2 xDrive M35i.

All of them through all that name jargon emerge the same as the SQ2: an all-wheel drive, light-duty compact SUV with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Making 221kW and 400Nm, the SQ2 is the least endowed of this lot by a small margin, yet claims the equal-fastest 0-100km/h time with BMW at 4.9sec, 0.2sec ahead of the MINI and 0.3sec ahead of the AMG.

At $64,400 plus on-road costs, the Audi SQ2 seriously undercuts the AMG on price and is well ahead of the X2. There are a group of JCW Countryman models that sit either side of the Audi.

Beyond the mechanical changes that turn this into an S model, which we’ll detail further down, the SQ2 does pick up some standard equipment above and beyond the two regular Q2 models sold in Australia, the Audi Q2 35 TFSI and the – oh dear – Q2 40 TFSI quattro S line.

This equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, exterior mirrors that automatically dim and have a kerbside function on the passenger side, specific S front and rear bumpers, side sills, quad tailpipes and red brake callipers.

Both metallic and pearl paint finishes are no-cost options.

Inside, exclusive standard SQ2 gear includes the digital configurable Audi virtual cockpit, a 14-speaker 705W Bang & Olufsen sound system, heated front sports seats in eye-popping black and Magma red Nappa leather (you can delete the Magma as a no cost option), a colour ambient lighting package, stainless-steel pedals and foot rest, and a rear USB charging point.

The SQ2 driver’s seat gets power lumbar adjust, but it’s do it yourself fore, aft, height and back rest. Audi Australia says power for these functions is simply unavailable from the factory. Nor is there power adjust for the likeably chunky steering wheel.

A spare tyre is also absent. There is a tyre pressure indicator and an emergency spare is expected to be offered as an option at an as yet unspecified price.

Equipment the SQ2 shares with lesser models includes a powered tailgate, a smart key, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interface, Bluetooth, digital radio and satellite navigation.

The SQ2 is covered by a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, although two more years and up to 150,000km can be added at extra cost. A five-year service plan is offered for $2540.

The 2021 Audi SQ2 comes with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and a pre-sense system that anticipates an accident and tensions front seat belts, activates hazard warning lights and closes windows and the (optional) sunroof.

Assistant systems include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functions, lane assist, lane change warning, park assist, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and light and rain sensors.

While the Q2 gets a five-star ANCAP rating based on a 2016 test, the SQ2 is specifically excluded from the results.

The Audi SQ2 has been around overseas since 2018 but has only now become available here because Australia has been reclassified as a moderate-climate country by Audi.

In the past it was a hot-climate country (can’t imagine why!) and the SQ2 was unavailable.

The 2021 Audi SQ2 arrives in mid-life update form, at the same time as the Q2 arrives similarly updated. The Audi Q2 first went on sale here in 2017.

Like the Q2, the SQ2 is based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB architecture for small and medium front- and all-wheel drive vehicles.

Styled with crisp edges, it measures up at 4216mm long, 1802mm wide, 1524mm high and weighs in at 1535kg. Compared to the 2.0 AWD Q2 40 TFSI (etc), it’s slightly longer, lower, wider and 75kg heavier.

The DOHC four-cylinder direct-injection engine is a member of the EA888 family. Making 221kW between 5300rpm and 6500rpm, and 400Nm from 2000-5200rpm, it is familiar from the (currently unavailable) S3 and the TTS sports car, albeit with slightly lower output.

The standard transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch that can run as an auto in standard or Sport mode or be manipulated manually via paddle shifters or the lever.

The quattro system is built around a centre differential housing an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch and can channel all its torque to the rear wheels if judged appropriate. Wheels can also be subtly braked individually to aid handling.

The drivetrain, steering, sound and adaptive cruise control can be adjusted via Audi drive select through various modes including an Individual set-up.

I found Dynamic mode worked best for throttle response and holding gears when pushing along, but Comfort was fine for more relaxed cruising. Steering weight was lighter and preferable in Comfort. Job done.

The 4.9sec 0-100 performance claim for the SQ2 (on 98 RON fuel) is actually 0.1sec slower than the previous model not sold here, while the 7.7L/100km combined consumption claim is also up from as low as 7.0 for the original. Put the latter down to a change in the way fuel consumption is measured. The former? Sorry, no idea. It’s still a decent time though.

The SQ2 has variable-assistance rack and pinion steering that becomes more direct as the angle increases. It rolls on 20mm-lowered sports suspension, comprising MacPherson struts up front and a four-link rear-end.

This is a passive set-up, which means the driver can’t select different states of tune for the dampers. Surprisingly, that feature isn’t available globally on SQ2, even though the cheaper Q2 has it (but not in Australia). That’s a step behind the opposition.

Brake disc spec is 340mm at the front and 310mm at the rear. The tech set-up is completed by 19-inch 235/40R19 rubber.

The 2021 Audi SQ2 is like the sensible shoes version of a hot hatch. It’s not too low to get old creaking bones into, it’s not so hard-riding that your kidneys get bruised and it’s fast enough to put a smile on your dial.

But not so fast you’re going to need to speed everywhere and risk your licence to appreciate its talents. There’s plenty of low-down torque to zing you up to the speed limit with some urgency and if you want to use the paddles then there’s snappy manual gear changes galore.

All the while, the sports exhaust lets you know there’s a rambunctious powerplant here, opening its electronic flap and rortling and chortling away cheerfully.

Mind you, all other sounds are drowned out at times by the tyres, which simply transmit too much tyre noise to the cabin. Which is a pity, because this is a typically high-class Audi place to be; the materials are high quality and the operation of most controls logical. Love the way the virtual cockpit defaults to a central tacho.

The annoyance in all this is the non-touch media screen atop the dashboard, which doesn’t interface with CarPlay seamlessly. Audi is moving to touch-screens and away from the MMI dial, but we’ll have to wait for the next generation for that change to make it to the SQ2.

The driver’s seat is worthy of praise for its comfort and support, even if you have to adjust it mostly manually.

It’s certainly preferable to the rear seat. The SQ2 is not a car for adults to contemplate long trips, as legroom is limited. The boot, too, isn’t overly generous at 355 litres, but split-fold the rear seat and that expands to 1000L.

There’s a neatness rather than outright sharpness to the SQ2’s handling. It does sit a bit higher than a hot hatch or sports car, so centre of gravity is always going to be a thing.

Commendably, it doesn’t feel roly-poly, but there is a sharpness to the ride on bigger hits and rougher surfaces that comes from being so effectively tied down. But as already noted, it could be worse.

This is a vehicle that can cope with a wide remit, from suburban shopping runs to long country cruises, as well as offer performance rewards.

The 2021 Audi SQ2 is a worthy addition to the premium sporty SUV niche. Its pricing is competitive enough to make a couple of equipment shortfalls less painful.

It’s also a pleasant and at times exciting drive that combines traditional hot hatch attributes with the modern buyer preference for SUVs.

So what’s in a name? In this case, exactly what it promises. The SQ is short and sweet.

How much does the 2021 Audi SQ2 cost?
Price: $64,400 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 221kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 176 g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested