Placed just under the Q3 as far as badges go, the Q2 is more than just a shrunken Q3. Not only it sports unique fascias, it also has a coupe-style roof, setting it apart from its siblings and placing it in the same market as the BMW X2. After almost two years on the market, the regular crossover was joined by the performance-oriented SQ2 model, launched at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.

Sportier on the outside and powered by a beefed-up, turbocharged engine, the SQ2 raises above the competition in terms of looks and power. It basically offers you the sportiest and most potent option in this niche, at least until BMW rolls out the X2 M sometime in the future. Does it have enough power and extra features to stand out? Let's find out in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Audi SQ2.

Exterior

The S package adds a bunch of familiar visual upgrades to the small crossover. However, while models that also have RS version boast a rather mild appearance in S trim, the SQ2 has a rather aggressive look.

This upgrade gives the front end a sportier, more imposing look. Audi revised the bumper too. While the lower center grille carries over with the honeycomb-style mesh, the side vents now feature actual grilles and the horizontal bars are gone.

The silver trim around the vents was replaced with black inserts. However, Audi added an aluminum-look bar that stretches the entire width of the fascia for a cool contrast with the blacked-out elements.

Moving onto the sides, we can see new trim strips on the lower doors. These elements are strongly contoured and make up for the lack of sportier side skirts. The mirrors are all black on this model, versus the body-colored top and black bottom of the standard model. Audi offers a wide range of wheels that includes ten designs and sizes, including from the Sport division. The 18-inch alloy wheels come standard, but you can get 19-inch rollers for an extra fee.

Audi claims the SQ2 features a longer tailgate spoiler around back. This isn't very visible at first glance, but it definitely helps with aerodynamics. Everything else is identical to the standard model save for the "SQ2" badge and the revised lower apron. It's also flanked by small vents for a sportier look.

As far as colors go, Ibis White is the only standard color. Pay a little extra and you can pick between Vegas Yellow, Ara Blue, Daytona Grey, Floret Silver, Glacier White, Coral Orange, Mythos Black, Quantum Grey and Tango Red.

Interior

The SQ2's cabin is obviously heavily based on the standard model, so it features the same minimalistic dashboard with four round air vents, a pop-up infotainment screen, and the gauge cluster hood. A satin chrome accent separates the upper and lower dash sections, while including a few knobs and switches.

The center console has room for two drinks just ahead of the shifter, which in turn is flanked by the Start/Stop button and radio volume knob. The Audi’s MMI controls below, including two toggle switches and a Menu and Back button, round up the very few hard keys found in this area. Like in any other modern vehicle, all other inputs are done with the rotary control knob.

Part of the Technology Pack, it includes the 12.3-inch screen similar to the one seen in the TT and R8 and extra buttons on the steering wheel. The configurable display offers two main views –- one with the speedometer and tachometer shown in the center or the two gauges off to the sides with the entertainment or maps screens displayed in the middle. The optional head-up display shows vital information on the windscreen.

So how can you tell the SQ2 apart from the regular Q2? For starters, the dashboard has decorative inlays made from matte brushed aluminum. The headliners and pillars are also finished in black as standard. The pedals and the footrest are made of stainless steel for a sportier look, while the illuminated door sill trims at the front sport "S" logos. The instrument dials are grey and the needles white, while the MMI display in the instrument cluster shows an S-specific start screen when the ignition is switched on.

Don't expect full leather seats as standard though. While it's better equipped then the base Q2, the SQ2 comes with leather and fabric as standard. If you want the leather and Alcantara combo or a full Nappa leather interior you need to pay extra. The good news is that Audi also offers a red and black Nappa combo in addition to the standard and boring black. The optional accent stripes and contrast stitching add a splash of color two. As for decorative inlays, you can pick between anodized red and an illuminated version with the ten-color ambient package. You can also add red A/C vents and shift paddles to the flat-bottom steering wheel.

The latter comes standard, as do the sports seats, front centre armrest, automatic air conditioning, and the driver information system with colour display. Extra tech you can option up includes the MMI Navigation Plus with the Audi Connect package and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with a 705-watt amplifier and 14 speakers.

The sportier interior doesn't ruin the crossover's practicality. Fold the rear seats flat and total capacity increases to an impressive 1,000 liters (35.3 cubic feet).

Drivetrain

As it is the case for S-badged Audis, the SQ2 sits above the regular model in terms of performance. That's an extra 110 horsepower compared to the most potent gasoline version of the Q2.

The extra oomph comes from the many internals that have been upgraded, but the unit also features adjustable intake and exhaust camshafts for optimized fill and gas exchange, as well as a valvelift system that adjusts valves in two stages to reduce flushing losses in the combustion chamber.

Helping the SQ2 get there is a seven-speed S Tronic gearbox with two clutches and a quattro all-wheel-drive system. The latter distributes torque continuously between the axles and it can transfer up to 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels within just a few milliseconds. Audi modified the suspension too, lowering it by 20 mm (0.8 inches). The progressive steering system has an S-specific setup in which the rack is geared so that the boost ratio changes the further the wheel is turned. This improves agility in urban traffic and in tight bends.

Stopping power comes from beefed-up brakes that 340 mm (13.4 inches) in diameter up front and 310 mm (12.2 inches) to the rear. Besides being larger, they're also more durable.

Safety

Just like its standard counterpart, the SQ2 comes loaded with active and passive safety systems. Audi’s pre sense front system recognizes potential hazards or pedestrians in the road and warns the driver to slow down or stop the vehicle. If necessary, the system will automatically brake, and if needed, it will bring the crossover to a full stop.

Traffic jam assist works by using the front camera and parking sensors to take over steering duties in slow-moving traffic at speeds below 41 mph.

Audi’s side assist monitors data from the radar to change lanes, while active lane assist uses a video camera to help the driver maintain his lane. The camera also recognizes traffic signs, displaying the speed limit, no passing zone warnings, and other informational signs on the digital gauge cluster. There’s also rear cross traffic assist and a parking assist function that automatically maneuvers into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.

Prices

Pricing information for the SQ2 is not available as of this writing. However, given that the Q2 retails from £21,665 and that S models usually carry a 30-percent premium, the SQ2 should start from around £28,200. In Germany, the crossover will probably fetch around €35,000 before options.

Since Audi doesn't sell the Q2 in the U.S., it's safe to say that the SQ2 won't make it on this side of the pond either.

Competition

BMW X2 M

With the standard Q2 going up against the recently debuted X2, the SQ2 will have its sights set on the X2 M. It hasn’t exactly been confirmed yet, but BMW would be crazy not to give the X2 the proper M treatment after all the love the standard model has received. The X2 M will carry the standard M treatment which will include more aggressive front and rear fascias as well as an M sport interior with a flat bottom steering wheel and sport seats. It’s expected to carry an uptuned version of BMW’s 2.0-liter engine. It delivers 248 ponies in the 3 Series, but it could pump out somewhere in the neighbor hood of 320 to 350 horsepower, and it kind of has to when you consider the Mercedes-AMG GLA45 pumps out 355 horsepower. BMW could throw in a detuned version of the 365-horsepower six-cylinder form the M2 but I wouldn’t hold my breath for that one.

Read our speculative review of the 2020 BMW X2 M.

Mercedes-AMG GLA45

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 might be just a hair smaller and technically competes with the BMW X1, but it’s right in line with what the SQ2 is offering. It’s got the SUV look, AMG-specific exterior enhancements and your typical AMG interior with sports seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a digital instrument cluster. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-banger that’s good for an astounding 355 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque – enough to get it up to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Read our full review of the Mercedes-AMG GLA45.

Conclusion

It's a bit surprising that it took Audi two years to offer an S version of the Q2, but I guess it's better late than never. The SQ2 is a very important step forward for Audi, which just gave itself a big advantage in this tight niche. Since BMW has yet to develop an M version of the X2, the SQ2 will attract all customers looking for a performance-oriented crossover from the subcompact category. Sure, things could change once the X2 M hits dealerships, but until that happens Audi will reign supreme. But as great as the SQ2 may be in terms of looks and performance, it comes with two drawbacks. Its interior looks a bit dated compared to other Audi vehicles and it's not sold in the United States.

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Audi Q2.

Read more Audi news.

Spy Shots

May 29, 2018 – Audi SQ2 Putting in Some Final Testing

June 15, 2016 - Audi SQ2 caught testing without camouflage