A Well-Balanced Drive — Audi Q2

WITH the recent announcement of the Audi Q4 and Q8, it would seem there’s a queue of Audis waiting to launch themselves gleefully into the crossover and SUV mix.

While you could sometimes say only the size makes a difference to the models, the Q2 does deliver a different proposition.

Here’s a model that’s shorter than the A3, but has lots of decent legroom at the back and a boot that is of a practical size, courtesy of moving the wheels further apart. The angular cut of the frame, with the stylish eight-edged grille with a fetching pattern, sculpted body and boxy feel reminiscent of a small Range Rover, gives it a unique sense of purpose and self.

The general muscular form translates into a cabin that is sporty and stylish enough for the model range. The sportiness comes across in the seats with the red trim (in the test drive unit) and metallic red trim that matches the digital displays.

A well-equipped multifunction steering gives you access to virtually every function you would need on the run. While connectivity is more than adequate in terms of getting your phone synced with the car, it does lack USB connectivity and you have to contend with manual seat adjustments.

It’s on the move that the sporty factor takes a bit of a back seat. The ride is smooth without being overwhelming. When you do need the dash, a squeeze of the accelerator delivers the oomph.

So, you get what you need, when you require it.

There’s enough pull in dynamic mode, and enough variation in behaviour through the different driving modes, to suit the different needs of drivers. And it can be customisable to some extent.

There’s adequate power developed by the 1.4-litre turbocharged engine to get you into a good run, and obstacles are comfortably negotiated without much fuss. In Eco mode, everything calms down, if saving fuel is your preference. As it is, it takes a long time for the fuel gauge to register any changes resulting from travel.

There’s a one-litre model that will be released later. That could suffer from power issues, but then again, with engine technology the way it is, it could be another winner.