Audi Q2 review

The entry-level 1.0-litre petrol (badged 30 TFSI) offers perfectly adequate acceleration, although it can struggle a bit in hilly areas – especially when the Q2 is fully loaded with people and bags. 

The 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol (badged 35 TFSI) is noticeably punchier and, given the Q2's premium billing, we reckon it's worth the extra. This engine comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but you can pay extra to have a seven-speed auto (S tronic).

Those doing very high miles will find the diesel 35 TDI (also with 148bhp) a tempting proposition. It's not exactly quick (0-62mph takes 8.2sec), but it has lots of low-rev pull and comes with a seven-speed automatic 'box as standard.

The Q2 has firmer suspension than many small SUVs, including the rival Volkswagen T-Roc and Peugeot 2008. The upshot? You're jostled around in your seat a little more, particularly along pockmarked urban roads.

Things never get overly firm or jarring, though, and the Q2 is actually quite smooth and composed at motorway speeds – although we would suggest steering clear of 19in alloy wheels (S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung trims) if comfort is important to you.

We’ve yet to try the adaptive set-up that allows you to stiffen and soften the suspension to suit your preferences, but it’s worth noting that it is only available exclusively on range-topping Vorsprung trim.

That relatively firm suspension we talked about earlier does a great job of propping up the Q2's body through corners; there's barely any more lean than in a conventional hatchback. There's also plenty of grip, so this is a car you can drive quickly along a country road with real confidence.

All versions come with Audi’s progressive steering. This means the steering gets quicker the more you turn the wheel, so fewer turns are required when parking and manoeuvring. This type of steering sometimes makes it tricky to judge how much you need to turn the wheel, but fortunately that isn't the case in the Q2 Mind you, the Ford Puma has more accurate steering and is even more fun to drive because of it.

The three-cylinder 30 TFSI petrol sounds a little thrummy when worked hard, but it's hardly boisterous and settles down nicely at a steady cruise. You can feel a little vibration through the controls, but not an excessive amount. The four-cylinder 35 TFSI is noticeably smoother, and while the diesel 35 TDI is, unsurprisingly, noisier than both of the petrols, it's still pretty subdued compared with diesel versions of the Renault Captur. 

At motorway speeds, all versions of the Q2 cruise relatively quietly. Little wind noise enters the passenger compartment, so it’s a relaxing car to take on long journeys, although there is some road noise – particularly on models with larger alloy wheels. Overall, the T-Roc is a quieter alternative.

The six-speed manual gearbox is light and slick, and the clutch bites positively. Combined with the well-weighted brake pedal, this makes the Q2 an easy car to drive smoothly. However, the S tronic automatic gearbox can be a little jerky at very low speeds.