THE Q2 has brought big car features and the usual dose of Audi style to the small crossover market.

Its sharply squared LED headlights and nicely sculpted bonnet give the Q2 a vivid look that ranks among the best in class.

It’s also good to drive, roomy and offers a range of personalisation options, although it’s important to keep those tempting options in check to stop the price spiralling out of control.

Within the German giant’s ever-expanding range of crossovers, the Q2 sits below the Q3, the new Q5 and the much larger seven-seat Q7.

Behind the wheel, the Q2 is a sure-footed, sprightly and smooth performer.

The 2.0-litre TDI engine is more than sufficient for a relatively small family car, developing 148bhp and 250lb ft of torque, with the vehicle performing the sprint from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds with a potential top speed of 131mph.

What’s more, that pace seems to be delivered effortlessly with the minimum of fuss and noise.

Meanwhile, the permanent Quattro all-wheel drive system gives the car a superbly grippy feel in the corners and was especially useful on the greasy, leaf-covered roads experienced in Yorkshire in recent weeks.

The transmission is Audi’s impressive seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, which shifts in a seamless manner.

All in all, it makes for a relaxed, composed and confidence-inspiring driving experience, with the car being equally at home in either urban or rural environments.

In town, the short wheelbase and compact chassis mean you can easily swing the Q2 into tight parking spaces, while, out on the open road, the brisk acceleration and extra traction from four-wheel drive come into their own.

When cornering, there’s an element of predictable and safe understeer, while body roll is well contained.

With progressive steering as standard, the car adapts to the driving situation, with the steering getting quicker the more you turn the wheel. That means fewer turns of the wheel are needed when manoeuvring, but the car still feels stable at motorway speeds.

Inside, the Q2 interior is roomy enough for four adults to travel comfortably, with plenty of seating adjustment for those in the front.

The boot is also a decent size albeit a little shallow, but quite sufficient for everyday situations such as a big shop.

The quality of materials used in the cabin is generally good, being smart and subtle rather than brash and over-the-top.

This test car came with added options that brought a strong sense of sportiness – namely the stylish flat-bottomed leather-trimmed steering wheel with gear shift paddles along with the matt brushed aluminium interior inlays, costing an extra £150 each.

A more expensive, yet very pleasant option came in the form of the black and silver front sports seats with stylish stitching and Milano leather, adding a further £1,300 to the price.

For another £1,595, you can have the ‘technology pack’ including the superb Audi Virtual Cockpit, which can be viewed through two different modes - the Classic mode and Infotainment mode - presenting the driver with four key areas of information: driving information, media and on-demand information, communication and navigation.

It’s a tremendous piece of kit which brings further ease to motoring, but it also illustrates one of the key questions presented by the Q2 – when do you stop spending money on options that make a good car even better?

All in all, there’s no question that the Q2 is distinctive and versatile.

There may be nothing new about pint-sized SUVs, with the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur being well established in this market. But the Q2, which combines a premium badge with bold, Coupé-like design and allroad high ground-clearance, is bound to appeal to plenty of buyers.

Audi Q2 quattro S tronic

PRICE: £27,675 (£34,990 as tested with options)

ENGINE: 2.0-litre TDI

EMISSIONS: 125g/km

FUEL: 58.9mpg combined

PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds and top speed of 131mph

WARRANTY: 3 years or 60,000 miles