Audi Q2 SUV given minor facelift for 2021

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aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift 11"Audi has revised its smallest SUV – the Q2 – for 2021. When the brand’s BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA rival goes on sale it will land with revised styling, updates to the interior and new in-car and safety technology.

The Q2 has always cut quite a unique style compared to the rest of the Audi range, and the changes for the md-life refresh haven’t changed much. The front singleframe grille has grown slightly deeper and gets a subtle interpretation of Audi’s quattro-inspired trio of slits at its top. The grille sits on top of a new bumper which, on S-Line trim and above, gets more angular looking air intakes.

aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift 2"The headlamp units remain the same shape as before, but all Q2s get full LED tech as standard. Matrix LED units and scrolling indicators are offered on top spec versions.

There’s a new bumper design at the back, and five new paint colours to choose from, including lively Apple Green and Turbo blue shades. As before, the C-pillar is available in contrasting black, grey or silver finishes, or in body colour.

aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift 5"Inside, the Q2’s dashboard design is carried over from the previous model, itself a slightly funked-up version of the previous-generation A3. The air vent surrounds and gear selector have both been tweaked, while new fabrics are used to trim the door panels. All but the base Q2 variants now feature the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display, plus an 8.3-inch infotainment screen as standard. As before, the screen doesn’t feature touchscreen functionality – it’s controlled by a rotary dial instead. Smartphone app compatibility is included in the latest updates, allowing owners the ability to lock the vehicle from anywhere, or check fuel levels remotely with their phone.

aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift 4"There are five trim levels to choose from. Entry level Technik models get a powered tailgate, rear parking sensors and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Sport models add sports seats and Audi’s Drive Select drive mode system, while S line and Black Edition models get a sharper body kit and part leather seats – the latter also adding 19-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping Vorsprung gets Nappa leather, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive dampers and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift 7"The top spec Vorsprung gets an enlarged selection of active safety features. While all Q2s get autonomous emergency braking, the range-topper also features semi-autonomous parking, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist, which allows hands-off motorway driving for short periods.

aria-label="Audi Q2 facelift"The Q2 will relaunch with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW and 250Nm, with more petrol and diesel options – most likely the 1.0-litre TFSI and 2.0-litre TDI – joining before the end of the year. Gearbox choices for the 1.5 TFSI include a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, both sending drive through the front wheels. An updated all-wheel drive variant will join later.

Prices for the revised Q2 are still to be confirmed, but are expected to climb slightly to around $45,000.

Alex Ingram

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