Hot hatch enthusiasts with an SUV crave can now satisfy their needs with several high-riding vehicles. The and it’s a muscled-up version of the regular Audi Q2, the SQ2 is one of them.
Beneath the aggressive styling, the SQ2 shares some parts and bolts with the Cupra Ateca and Volkswagen T-Roc R. Its roots can be traced back to the Golf R, and that’s a proper driver’s car, so surely there’s nothing wrong with it, right?
We’ll get to that part in a bit, but for now, let’s go over the specs quickly. The SQ2 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four making 300 PS (296 hp / 221 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It’s paired to a seven dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, which is said to be able to channel up to 100 percent of the power to the rear axle.
Also Watch: Should You Shell Out For The Audi Q2 Or Get VW’s T-Roc Instead?
The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration is completed in 4.8 seconds, and in typical German (non-Porsche) fashion, top speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h (155 mph).
CarBuyer got to drive the SQ2, and were immediately impressed by the interior design, calling it ‘vibrant’. The hype didn’t last long, though, as most of the eye-catching trim and even the digital gauges are optional. Plus, there are lots of hard plastics in a car that starts at almost £37,000 ($48,679/€43,331) in the United Kingdom and can easily exceed £46,000 ($60,520/€53,871) by adding some extras.
On the road, the SQ2 feels quick, handles well and encourages the driver to go wild on the throttle. Not everything is ideal; in fact, there are some major flaws that go beyond the smaller boot space and cramped rear seat compared to its Spanish cousin, the Cupra Ateca. But you can find out all about them by watching the following video.