A likeable, honest small SUV that deserves a proper send-off - no apologies needed. And that’s the point.
Introduction
Look, here's the real question: should you still consider the Audi Q2 Black Edition 35 TFSI tiptronic now that its days are numbered? Audi has finally pulled the plug in early this year, so what's left on showroom floors is the last you'll ever get. That matters, especially if you’re weighing it up against a Q3 or the ever-popular VW T-Roc. The Q2’s now officially a runout deal. Yet if you want a compact Audi SUV with attitude - black accents, a punchy turbo-petrol, and none of the Q3’s bloat - there’s still a case to be made.
Key takeaway: A sharply styled, well-finished compact SUV with unmistakable Audi DNA. But with its demise looming, tight back seats, and a price that bites, you’ll need a strong reason to pick it over a fresh-faced Q3.
Design & Exterior
Some cars age out. The Q2 still stands out. That original 2016 design - blocky haunches, that signature C-pillar blade, and a stance closer to a hot hatch than a soft-roader - still looks deliberate, not dated. The facelift sharpened things: slimmer lights, tidier bumpers, and the Black Edition packs on the drama.
What the Black Edition adds
- Gloss-black grille and rings
- Black mirrors and window surrounds
- Privacy glass for the rear
- Chunky black alloys with grippier rubber
- Blacked-out pipes and badges
The result? A pint-sized SUV that looks pricier than most expect. Park it next to a Q3 35 TFSI and, true story, the Q2 drew more stares - style counts for something.
Where it sits in the segment
In South Africa, the Q2 segment is shrinking fast. The Mini Countryman’s gone upmarket, and the VW T-Roc is its clearest rival in terms of size and price. Hyundai Kona N Line and Mazda CX-30? Punch above on kit, lag on badge. And don’t overlook it: the entry Q3 is so close on price you’ll wonder what you’re really paying for.
Cabin & Practicality
Step inside, and you get old-school Audi priorities - actual buttons for climate, a real MMI dial, and a physical volume knob. After a stretch of “touch-only” German crossovers, slipping into the Q2 in bumper-to-bumper traffic was a relief. I literally exhaled, “Finally.” Real controls matter.
Materials and ergonomics
Soft touch up top, hard-wearing plastics below - honest, not cheap. If you add Virtual Cockpit, it still looks crisp, but the centre screen is small, and the software feels long in the tooth. Seats are classic German: supportive for long trips, stiff if you just want to pop to your nearest supermarket.
Space - the honest version
Front row’s decent. Rear? Two adults will fit if you negotiate for knee space, but anything over 1.85m up front and your mates will grumble. Three across is for school lifts, not road trips. Boot’s the saving grace: 405 litres up, 1 050 litres folded. That’s enough for groceries, a pram, and - if you pack smart - a weekend’s camping kit. I managed to wedge a camping fridge and a full-size pram in for a long weekend. Not pretty, but it shut.
Practical details worth knowing
- ISOFIX on the outer rear seats
- 50-litre tank (so, 600–650 km per fill in the real world)
- 60:40 split rear bench
- Most specs: no spare, just a repair kit - watch the gravel
- Ground clearance is small SUV territory - fine for the odd Karoo gravel detour, but don’t even look at Sani Pass
On the Road
Ignore the badge confusion - “35 TFSI” here means a 1.4-litre turbo four with 110kW and 250Nm, front-wheel drive, and a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch. Not the diesel, not quattro, and not the old 1.0 three-pot. It’s the Q2 recipe for South Africa, and it’s the one that works.
Around town
The S tronic does its usual trick - slight pause pulling away, then smooth as you go. In stop-start traffic, that hesitation’s the only niggle; most won’t notice it, but you might. Once rolling, shifts are quick and sharp, holding gears when you want to dart up the highway slip.
Open road
On the open road, the Q2 feels grown-up for its size. Road and wind noise are low, and the 1.4 turbo is silkier than the T-Roc’s three-cylinder. At 120 km/h, you’re under 2 500 rpm, and calls are easy - no need to shout. That refinement? The Q2 nails it.
Ride and handling
Here’s the rub: those Black Edition wheels look the business but stiffen the ride. On patchy tar and after big summer storms, it’s “busy” - not crashy, just constantly letting you know what’s happening under the tyres. On roads, it tightens up, minimal roll, accurate steering, but never outright fun. Safe, competent, not thrilling.
Real-world consumption
Audi quotes 6.1l/100 km. I saw 7.2l/100 km in mixed Highveld driving - hitting 8.0 L/100 km with heavy load-shedding traffic. With 50 litres in the tank, that’s 600–650 km between fill-ups. Not diesel territory, but decent.
Data & Comparison
Here’s where the Q2’s age really shows. Audi Q2 price in South Africa? It’s now above R750 000, and the Black Edition 35 TFSI tiptronic lists at around R770 000 before options. That’s not pocket change - especially against the Q3.
Ownership and running costs
| Metric | Audi Q2 Black Edition 35 TFSI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 110kW | 7-speed S tronic, FWD |
| 5-year TCO (est) | R230 000 | Service, tyres, consumables |
| Service interval | 15 000 km / 12 months | Audi SA schedule |
| Fuel tank | 50 L | Premium unleaded |
| Boot | 405 / 1 050 L | Seats up / folded |
How it stacks against rivals
| Model | Approx price (ZAR) | Engine | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q2 35 TFSI Black Edition | ~R770 000 | 1.4T 110kW | 7-speed DCT |
| VW T-Roc 1.4 TSI Design | ~R648 900 | 1.4T | 8-speed AT |
| BMW X1 sDrive18i | ~R813 899 | 1.5T | 7-speed DCT |
| Hyundai Kona N Line | ~R620 000 | 1.6T | 7-speed DCT |
The Kona is the value play. T-Roc? Sensible fallback, local support’s strong. The BMW X1 gives you more room, but your wallet will feel it. The Q2’s unique angle is its looks and that satisfying Audi switchgear. But it loses on rear space and, let’s be honest, being the outgoing model.
Audi Q2 service plan in South Africa
Audi’s Freeway Plan covers you for five years or 100 000 km, maintenance included, for most trims. Details can change - runout deals in 2026 are all over the map. I saw a Centurion dealer toss in an extra service, while Umhlanga was slashing prices on demo stock from the same batch.
Market trend context
SUVs still rule in South Africa, pulling mid-70s on Audi’s buyer charts for 2026 - well ahead of sedans or hatches. Trouble is, the action’s moving to bigger SUVs and EVs (scoring in the high 50s to 60s), not these compact premium crossovers. No surprise Audi’s winding down the Q2.
Verdict
Here’s the thing: the Audi Q2 Black Edition 35 TFSI is what the Q2 should have been from the start - distinctive, well-made, and with a tactile cabin modern Audis are forgetting. The 1.4 turbo and 7-speed dual-clutch are spot on, and 110kW is all you need for SA traffic. But it’s a car on borrowed time, priced so close to the larger, fresher Q3 that it’s a hard sell - especially given the cramped rear seat and the firm ride on battered tar. Ironically, the Black Edition’s best feature - those 19-inch wheels - is also what you’ll curse most after striking a pothole.
Summary
Here’s the thing: the Audi Q2 Black Edition 35 TFSI is what the Q2 should have been from the start - distinctive, well made, and with a tactile cabin modern Audis are forgetting. The 1.4 turbo and 7-speed dual-clutch are spot on, and 160 hp is all you need for SA traffic. But it’s a car on borrowed time, priced so close to the larger, fresher Q3 that it’s a hard sell - especially given the cramped rear seat and the firm ride on Gauteng’s battered tar.
Ratings
Pros
- ✓You want a small luxury SUV with proper finish, plan to keep it a long time, and can hammer out a runout deal.
Cons
- ✗You need real back seat space, care about resale, or drive Joburg’s worst pothole routes daily.