It was only a matter of time before one of the premium car brands looked at the lucrative compact SUV market, saw the success of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, and said, Yknow what, we might be missing an trick here.
And who should be the first to cater to the needs of the high net worth in this rapidly growing sector? Why, it’s none other than Audi, with the Q2.
The recent introduction of the Q2 means Audi now has a range of SUVs which is a bit like a Russian doll. It starts off with the massive Q7 and gradually decreases in size, until all that remains is the Q2, which is the smallest and cutest of them all.
Essentially, by following the same tried and tested formula of the Q7, Q5 and Q3, Audi ensures the Q2 boasts a raised driving position, three different levels of trim, a choice of petrol and diesel engines, manual and automatic gearboxes and front or four wheel drive transmissions.
While the attention to detail, build quality and ride are what we we’ve come to expect from a German car maker, the real jewel in the Q2’s crown is its interior. It truly is a delightful place to sit and spacious enough to accommodate four adults without too much of a squeeze.
That said, the Q2’s diminutive stature is most noticeable when you open-up its tailgate — the boot space is not exactly voluminous (even with the backseats folded flat to the floor it’ll struggle to swallow more than a couple of large suitcases).
In summary then, the Q2 is a (small) posh car built to a number, and one which starts at just over £20,000. However, and this is the important part: even in its most affordable guise — SE, 1.0-litre TFSI and 6-speed manual — it never feels as though you’re being short-changed by Audi. Which only goes to prove the point; it’s better to have a little of something precious than to have a lot of mediocrity.