The crossover class is on a roll and there are very few carmakers who have not pitched in with a model designed to capture sales in this soaring market.

 

But few manufacturers have produced such a variety of vehicles in this segment as Audi.

 

Enter the Q2, the fourth and smallest member of Audi’s Q family and one that successfully mixes the practicality and desirability of a sports utility vehicle with the size, efficiency and dynamic performance of a compact hatchback.

 

Available in front-wheel-drive and quattro versions, the Q2 has all the requirements of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a decent luggage compartment, yet the driver’s seat position is low in relation to the steering wheel as in an Audi saloon.

 

And it is the solid ride, lively handling and sharp styling of the Q2 that makes it something special.

 

With prices starting at about £20,000, this is naturally a premium product with strong looks, superb build quality and a car that clearly shares the genes of more senior members of the German family.

 

Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 also come from the larger Audi models – including a system that can spot pedestrians crossing, and if necessary automatically trigger hard braking – to a standstill at low speeds.

 

Other systems in the line-up include adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, the lane-departure warning system Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic assist. 

 

The test model came in upmarket S line trim that includes heated leather seats and a superb navigation system that uses Google satellite mapping to deliver a 3D display of your surroundings, akin to what you might see from a low-flying aircraft.

 

Power came from a spritely 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine, fitted with both a turbocharger and a supercharger to produce 150 horsepower.

 

The result is a car that is light on its feet on country roads, yet solid and relaxed in long-distance motorway travel with real world fuel consumption in the mid-40s.

 

The 1.4-litre engine is one of a range of petrol and diesel units available starting with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder TFSI. As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi also offers the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines.

 

Technology packed inside the car also mirrors that of the much more expensive models in the range. The Q2 is equipped with a large display screen positioned high on the instrument panel operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the centre tunnel.

 

A Wi-Fi hotspot enables surfing and streaming with mobile devices, and integrates smartphones into the car.

 

Options that allow complete customisation of each Q2 range from a power tailgate, an LED lighting package and a three-way split rear bench backrest with cargo through-loading.

 

So the Q2 is as smart, elegant and luxurious as any of its sister vehicles in a more compact and easy-to-manage body.

 

 

 

Auto facts

 

Model: Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI S line

 

Price: £27,515

 

Insurance group: 19E (1-50)

 

Fuel consumption (combined): 52.3mpg

 

Top speed: 132mph

 

Length: 419.1cm/165in

 

Width: 179.4cm/70.6in

 

Luggage capacity: 14.3 cu ft

 

Fuel tank capacity: 11 gallons/50 litres

 

CO2 emissions: 123g/km

 

Warranty: Three years/ 100,000 miles