The Audi Q2 occupies a rare position in the new car market as one of the few B-segment SUVs from a premium brand. The likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover start their ranges with rivals for Audi's larger Q3, leaving the Q2 facing perhaps less-heralded competition such as the DS 3 Crossback and (slightly larger) Mini Countryman. 

The Q2 has been around since 2016 and Audi has now introduced this facelifted version. Exterior styling changes are fairly modest, but include a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser, a lower front grille, new alloy wheel designs and upgraded headlights with LEDs, now included as standard throughout the range.

Inside, the most noteworthy addition is Audi's familiarly impressive 12.3in Virtual Cockpit driver display, featuring Google Earth satnav mapping, which is now standard on all but entry-level Q2s, although, unlike with many of the brand's new models that feature touchscreen-only infotainment, here the older rotary-controlled 8.3in central screen is retained. However, this system feels far from outdated and is arguably preferable to a touchscreen while driving due to its relative ease of use. The Q2 is also now compatible with Audi Connect remote services, allowing drivers to lock the car or check vehicle functions via a smartphone app. The interior gets other minor cosmetic tweaks to features such as the air vents and gear lever, and is trimmed to a high standard, with good-quality materials used, including attractive new patterned fabrics, which added some visual interest to the door panel of our test car. Rear legroom is reasonable, while headroom is good, and the 405-litre boot is decent for the segment.

The Q2 is a pleasant steer, feeling engagingly sporty in bends, where the suspension keeps things taut and controlled. While the ride is generally a touch on the firm side, it deals well with bumps even on the heavily rutted farm tracks to be found near Audi's test venue - regular rural drivers might be interested to know that while the car tested here is front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive Q2s are also available. At 150hp, the petrol engine fitted to our test car offers a good amount of power for a car of this size. 

Arguably less impressive for a car this size is the price. A rare premium car in its segment it may be, but with the extra options fitted to our mid-range S Line test car pushing it to just over £40,000, buyers would be able to consider mainstream alternatives from two segments above, while even the standard price at over £31k puts it up against mainstream C-segment SUVs. However, the Q2 in this spec does slightly undercut the DS 3 Crossback, and comes in at only slightly more than the Countryman, making it competitive enough in its own segment. That is, as long as buyers aren't tempted to save around £5,000 by going for the Business Car Award-winning Ford Puma. The Q2 is definitely a more premium product than the Ford, and of course there's the driveway appeal of the Audi badge, but those factors need a lot of weight attached to them to justify the extra outlay.

Audi Q2 35 TFSI 150PS S Line S Tronic