Review: Audi Q2 – Making A Market

Hmm, just how radical could those changes be? For Cuba they are profound. In six months there'll be 15 US planes a week flying into Havana filled with tourists looking for their traditional hamburgers, skinny latte coffees and hotel chains in this Marxist Leninist republic. Cuba is about to undergo a rude awakening to the power of the tourist dollar.

As far as Audi's new Q2 is concerned, however, certainly it is the first in the market for small ('sub-compact' is the jargon) premium-branded Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), but how much of a risk is it? Premium cars are booming, SUVs are Europe's biggest car segment and small cars are booming, you can't help feeling that all Audi has to do with the Q2, is bugger it up. So has it?

First impressions are of a pumped-up A3, but there's depth to the design, which rewards further study. Clever concave shaping across the top of the doors visually pulls the roof down towards the tall doors. The long rear spoiler gives the impression of a wider and lower vehicle, and the dimensions (it's 4.19-metres long and 1.79-metres wide on a 2.6-metre wheelbase) give the feeling of an almost square car ("like a kart," says Matthias Fink the exterior designer). It's not a giant leap, but it's different from Audi's usual clinical style and first evidence of what Marc Lichte, Audi's new chief designer, want to do with the marque.

Q2 is based on VW's MQB platform, which underpins all models including the Golf that have their engines mounted across the engine bay. It's predominantly front-wheel-drive, but there's optional four-wheel drive. It's 20cm shorter than a Q3 and 13cm shorter than an A3 Sportback, but wider and the body is a slippery 0.30Cd.

The cabin presents Audi's usual plush with beautifully-weighted rotary controls and piano-key switches, along with the virtual cockpit on the higher-spec models so you can chose virtual instruments in the driver's binnacle, or a display full of Google maps. But while this is essentially an A3 cabin, the softer plastics and calmer design give it a less full-on and more refined appearance. The seats are comfortable and the cabin space is larger than the A3 despite the Q2's shorter length. The rear seats will just about accommodate two adults or three small children, but knee room is compromised. The boot is large at 405 litres extending to 1,050 litres if you pull the seat backs down.

Five engines are offered, TFSI petrol units displacing one-litre (113bhp), 1.4-litres (148bhp) and from 2017, 2.0-litres (187bhp) with quattro four-wheel drive. Diesel engines are a 1.6-litre (113bhp) and a 2.0-litre (148bhp) which comes with front or all-wheel drive. Standard transmission is a six-speed manual, but the option is a newly-updated seven-speed, twin-clutch, which is standard fit for the 2.0-litre turbodiesel.

Standard kit for the starter SE spec includes: 16-inch wheels; MMI radio with a 7-inch TFT screen; air con; and Audi's pedestrian recognition and braking system. The most popular Sport grade costs an additional £1,550 with 17-inch wheels, comfort/dynamic suspension, sat nav, sports seats, Audi drive select and cruise control. The top-model S-Line, which is a premium of £2,250 over Sport and is predicted to occupy 35 per cent of sales, adds 18-inch wheels, S-Line body trim, LED headlamps and a no-cost upgrade to Sports suspension. Q2 goes on sale this summer at prices starting at about £20,000 with first deliveries in November.

The only car we got to drive was the 1.4-litre TFSI in top model S-Line trim and the engine will be the most popular in the UK. It's a delightful unit, pulling strongly from low down, but refined at high revs and economical. A cylinder cut-out system closes the valves of two cylinders when full power isn't required to save fuel and is virtually undetectable. Top speed is 129mph, with 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and although there are no official consumption figures yet, you should expect about 56mpg in the Combined cycle. On Cuban roads at low speeds we achieved an indicated 41mpg.

With an all-independent suspension derived from that on the A3, the Q2 is firmly sprung, especially when shod with the 18-inch rims of the S-Line. In the rear seats, it's actually uncomfortable and you'll really want to go down a wheel size and chose the Sport trim. Admittedly Cuban roads are spectacularly poor, but so are those in the UK.

The progressive steering comes from the Audi S3 and is standard across the range, giving a calmer feeling car in the straight-ahead and making a quicker steering car when manoeuvring at low speeds. It works really well and while the steering isn't packed with feedback, it is precise, well weighted and gives a sense of control back to the driver. The Q2 turns into corners briskly and accurately and, while we'd need to get the car on UK roads to be absolutely sure, the Q2 has the feel of a pretty good drive. In fact, we'll go so far as saying it has a charm that Audi models don't often manage.

With no direct rivals, this new Audi has the market all to itself at the moment – Mercedes and BMW better have a care.