Audi is in the advanced stages of testing an all-electric version of its Q2 crossover, the smallest high riding vehicle it currently sells. The Q2 e-Tron (which is what it will most likely be called) will complete the Q2 lineup that also includes the SQ2 performance model, as well as an extended wheelbase Q2 destined for the Chinese market. The Q2 EV won’t differ much visually from other models in the range, but with a careful look, you will be able to spot that it is the battery powered model. The camouflaged prototype snagged by our spies has no exhaust pipe, for instance, and it’s bound to have additional small exterior giveaways as to what it is. It’s also been suggested that the Q2 e-Tron might use the lengthened platform of the Chinese-market model, but at the moment we really cannot make a definitive judgment on that based solely on this batch of spy shots. Furthermore, the Q2 e-Tron may only be sold in China, although there is a good chance it will reach Europe as well - this would represent the first sale of a long-wheelbase Chinese-market Audi model in Europe.

Update 4/2/2019:Our spy photographers caught the Audi Q2 doing some last minute, cold-weather testing. Check out the latest shots in our spy shots section below.

2020 Audi Q2 e-tron

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2020 Audi Q2 e-tron
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

April 2, 2019 – The Audi Q2 Taking Its Last Ride of the Snowy Season

Truth be told, the Audi Q2 hasn’t changed much since we last saw it. We can kind of make out the LED DRLs below the black plastic in the corners, and the fake grille does over four rows open for air flow, but outside of that, this is, essentially, the same prototype we saw a few months ago. As you would expect, the rear end is void of exhaust outlets, but it does look like this prototype is wearing official production taillights. Battery information is still a complete secret, but you can expect the Q2 E-Tron to offer around 250 miles of range. Originally expected to be a China-exclusive model, the Q2 E-tron will likely hit the global market with the Q2 L e-Tron remaining on the Chinese market.

Audi Q2 E-Tron Exterior

Audi being Audi, it won’t want to drastically differentiate the Q2 e-Tron from other models in the range since it is just that: another model in the range, and one that you'll choose over gasoline or diesel models if it suits your needs.

From the back, the rear bumper is also clearly different, although not dramatically so, but otherwise it looks like any other Q2. From the side, the only way you’ll be able to tell it apart will be the unique wheels it’ll surely get (but which aren’t on this prototype), the charging port door and e-Tron badging as well.

What is a bit strange regarding this particular prototype is the fact that it’s completely covered up even though we already know it, but that’s probably because it’s either also the facelifted model or the fact that the e-Tron will feature some body changes. They even went so far as to completely cover its roof, although not with the usual psychedelic camo - they just used plain white instead.

Our spies suggest that the only logical reason for them to do this was if they were actually hiding something under there, like, say, some solar panels to trickle current into the battery to help keep it topped up.

The rear door does indeed appear longer, as does the overall vehicle, but due to the nature of the camouflage used, we cannot state it for certain.

Audi Q2 E-Tron Interior

Audi won’t change the too much inside the Q2 e-Tron compared to internal combustion engined examples.

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The Q2’s interior is really the least posh of any high-riding Audi (since it is also the cheapest new Q-badged Audi out there). It’s still by no means bad, just not as fancy looking as, say, the Q5. The Q2 feels about as fancy inside as an A3, but it’s far more practical.

In fact, just driving any Q2 around you get the impression that you’re at the helm of a regular hatchback (like the A3) and not a tall-ish SUV. But that just means you have more confidence to throw the car around, as you would an actual hatchback. Some, however, may not like it specifically because of this, preferring vehicles with a taller and more commanding driving position.

We don’t know how much the electric version’s battery pack will eat into cargo room, but Q2s with internal combustion engines have a surprisingly big and deep trunk.

Audi Q2 E-Tron Drivetrain

We can’t even yet say whether or not it will be all-wheel drive or not - since it is a high-riding crossover, it could be all-wheel drive, but given the fact it’s a small vehicle destined to be driven in the city, it may very well be front-wheel drive-only.

With the possible roof-mounted solar panels (the reason why Audi may have decided to throw a white cover over this prototype’s roof), it would ensure that some current always flows into the battery. It would not be enough to add any significant range, but in the long run, it could bring about savings and ultimately make the Q2 e-Tron ever so slightly more efficient than it would have been without them.

Audi Q2 E-Tron Prices

In Europe, the regular Q2 is priced from just under €25,000 for a base 1.0-liter TFSI model with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. Move up to the top of the range 2.0-liter diesel and the price rises to over €35,000, so we expect the e-Tron to cost even more than that when it goes on sale later this year.

Audi Q2 E-Tron Competition

Tesla Model Y

The Q2 e-Tron’s main rival will be the Model Y crossover, the one that’s going to slot under the Model X in the Tesla range. It is believed to be revealed this year, and if it’s like all other Teslas currently for sale, it will have more performance and range than its rivals, but it may suffer from quality issues at the end of its lifespan. However, it should prove a worthy competitor in the segment once these expected hiccups will be dealt with, definitely more than a match for this electric Q2 which, after all, is just a converted version of the regular Q2, not a vehicle riding on bespoke EV underpinnings.

Read our full review on the Tesla Model Y

DS3 Crossback e-tense

Although a bit smaller than the Q2, the DS3 Crossback e-tense, the all-electric version, will be a formidable foe. It looks utterly unique, both inside and out, it has decent range, and it’s a vehicle you want to be seen in. In contrast, the Audi will allow you to roll by unnoticed, so the DS is for the more extroverted buyer, but it’s still overall a decent buy not ridden by compromise - it’s probably the single coolest model to come out under PSA’s newish standalone DS brand.

Read our full review on the 2019 DS3 Crossback e-tense

Kia Niro EV

It may not be a premium competitor, but the Kia Niro EV is affordable for what it is, it looks decent both inside and out and it does the job of ferrying people in complete silence very well. There’s nothing to write home about when it comes to the Niro, but it’s a great alternative to the usual EVs that are really popular right now, especially for those buyers who want the taller ride height than, say, a Nissan Leaf. It’s nowhere near as cool as the DS3, the Model Y or the Q2 e-Tron, but it makes up for that by being an honest package that will not really disappoint in any way.

Read our full review on the 2019 Kia Niro EV

Conclusion

Audi is going to have a hard time standing out in this segment with its upcoming Q2 e-Tron, as it will be just another version of the Q2. In contrast, its Tesla Model Y rival will be a bespoke vehicle built on a dedicated EV platform with its battery pack in the floor. This bestows all Tesla vehicles with good handling and a great planted feel through the bends, and I think the Q2 e-Tron won’t be the most fun thing to drive, especially if they make it front-wheel drive in the quest for all-out efficiency.

If it’s based on the lengthened Q2 for China, then the Q2 e-Tron may be more interesting just because it’s a long-wheelbase crossover selling in Europe. Plus it should also translate into excellent interior room for passengers and stuff. Couple this with Audi’s superb interior design and quality standards and the Q2 e-Tron begins to make sense, especially since I’m pretty sure the Model Y will not match it when it comes to interior ambiance (it will lag behind both in terms of design and quality as well).

All will become clear when Audi details the all-electric Q2 since, without the specs, we can’t really say whether or not it’s good. It’s all about its real-world range here - if it does that well, then you can start judging it in other areas.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Audi SQ2.

Read our full review on the 2017 Audi Q2.