Audi Q2
Punchiest powertrain
Easiest to drive
Cleanest cabin design
Jeep Renegade
Most interesting design
Reasonable amount of space
Great balance between practicality and price
MINI Cooper Countryman
Most fun to drive
Smooth powertrain
Funkiest cabin design
I remember a time when buying a crossover signals the end of singlehood and marks the start of parental compromises. This is perhaps the fault of the crossover boom, no thanks in part to the popularity of cars like the Uber-fied Honda Vezel and the family-loving Nissan Qashqai.
As a result, we tend to think of crossovers as cars for the uncool. But that's all about to change with the introduction of modish models such as the Audi Q2, the Jeep Renegade and the MINI Cooper Countryman, of which the American-dreamed, Italian-built Renegade is the latest to join the lot.
I like the way you look
In terms of design, the Renegade seems to be a smaller rounded adaption of the iconic Wrangler. Depending on how big a fan you are of the latter, this could be a good or bad thing. To us, it's a great attempt by Jeep at remodelling a classic for broader mass-market appeal.
That's, however, not to say that the other two Europeans in this fight out aren't much of an eyeful because the Q2's hawkish demeanour will definitely appeal to sporty city types, while the Countryman's meaty proportions accord it a great deal of unmistakable road presence.
I like the way you move
Looks aside, it is in the way they drive that really sets these three cars apart, and this is where the Q2 and Countryman outshine the Renegade.
Compared to the aforementioned Wrangler, the Renegade is a big step forward in terms of driving refinement for the brand.
Wound up above 3,000rpm, its turbocharged 1.4-litre powerplant provides decent performance and is pretty refined, but loses out significantly to the levels offered by both Audi and MINI.
As a result, we tend to think of crossovers as cars for the uncool. But that's all about to change with the introduction of modish models such as the Audi Q2, the Jeep Renegade and the MINI Cooper Countryman, of which the American-dreamed, Italian-built Renegade is the latest to join the lot.
I like the way you look
In terms of design, the Renegade seems to be a smaller rounded adaption of the iconic Wrangler. Depending on how big a fan you are of the latter, this could be a good or bad thing. To us, it's a great attempt by Jeep at remodelling a classic for broader mass-market appeal.
That's, however, not to say that the other two Europeans in this fight out aren't much of an eyeful because the Q2's hawkish demeanour will definitely appeal to sporty city types, while the Countryman's meaty proportions accord it a great deal of unmistakable road presence.
I like the way you move
Looks aside, it is in the way they drive that really sets these three cars apart, and this is where the Q2 and Countryman outshine the Renegade.
Compared to the aforementioned Wrangler, the Renegade is a big step forward in terms of driving refinement for the brand.
Wound up above 3,000rpm, its turbocharged 1.4-litre powerplant provides decent performance and is pretty refined, but loses out significantly to the levels offered by both Audi and MINI.
Sadly, it's not just the engine that disappoints the most. Its steering offers little feedback to the driver, and is also rather artificially-weighted.
Also powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, the Q2 is the peppiest of the lot, and the quickest in a straight line. Its seven-speed dual-clutch tranny, too, is smoother and more decisive than the Renegade's six-speeder. The Q2's powertrain pairing is the most impressive here.
The Countryman may be disadvantaged due to its three-cylinder heart, but it still feels punchy, responsive and lighter on its feet than the Renegade. Being the only car in this group test without a dual-clutch doesn't lose it any points either, because its six-speed automatic is as quick-shifting as it is creamy.
At the same time, it scores points for being the most engaging car to drive, providing the best steering weight and feel of the three, inspiring confidence during enthusiastic driving stints.
Also powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, the Q2 is the peppiest of the lot, and the quickest in a straight line. Its seven-speed dual-clutch tranny, too, is smoother and more decisive than the Renegade's six-speeder. The Q2's powertrain pairing is the most impressive here.
The Countryman may be disadvantaged due to its three-cylinder heart, but it still feels punchy, responsive and lighter on its feet than the Renegade. Being the only car in this group test without a dual-clutch doesn't lose it any points either, because its six-speed automatic is as quick-shifting as it is creamy.
At the same time, it scores points for being the most engaging car to drive, providing the best steering weight and feel of the three, inspiring confidence during enthusiastic driving stints.
The Q2 is equally adept, if not better, at spirited driving and carving corners, but just a little bit uninvolving compared to the Countryman. However, most buyers in this segment won't be too troubled by this, considering the compact Q2 makes up for its lack of feel with a very, very easy drive.
I like being inside you
If you want your crossover to be as easy to live with as possible, the Q2 seems to be the obvious answer, thanks to its clean and highly ergonomically designed cabin.
The downside of the Q2 is that it offers the least amount of cabin space of the three, but that's understandable given its petite frame.
Build quality and materials used are on par with the Countryman; although the latter's quirkier layout and controls do take some getting used to. But after about an hour in the car, you should be more or less familiarised.
The Countryman is also the only car equipped with electric driver and front passenger seats, and rear air-conditioning as standard. The MINI also offers the most boot space at 450 litres, outsizing the Q2's 405 litres and the Renegade's 351 litres.
Interior quality of the Renegade is admittedly several rungs below what we found in the Q2 and the Countryman, but is well-insulated and spacious enough for comfortable living.
I like being inside you
If you want your crossover to be as easy to live with as possible, the Q2 seems to be the obvious answer, thanks to its clean and highly ergonomically designed cabin.
The downside of the Q2 is that it offers the least amount of cabin space of the three, but that's understandable given its petite frame.
Build quality and materials used are on par with the Countryman; although the latter's quirkier layout and controls do take some getting used to. But after about an hour in the car, you should be more or less familiarised.
The Countryman is also the only car equipped with electric driver and front passenger seats, and rear air-conditioning as standard. The MINI also offers the most boot space at 450 litres, outsizing the Q2's 405 litres and the Renegade's 351 litres.
Interior quality of the Renegade is admittedly several rungs below what we found in the Q2 and the Countryman, but is well-insulated and spacious enough for comfortable living.
Thankfully, its infotainment system, although small in screen size, provides easy enough usage with logical menus and handy shortcut buttons, and there's a decent amount of head and legroom all around.
I like the way you make me feel
Ultimately, the Audi and MINI do offer a more premium, well put-together proposition, but at a relatively higher price tag than the Jeep. The Audi Q2 is the most expensive at $165,800 (as of 22nd June 2017) despite being the smallest in size, while the more spacious MINI Countryman goes for $163,000 (as of 6th July 2017).
As the newest comer in its segment, the Renegade does have some catching up to do in terms of refinement, but it will satisfy most Singaporean drivers enough to consider one. Otherwise, its more affordable $147,800 (as of 6th July 2017) asking price should.
The Renegade makes the most financial sense for young couples or small families venturing out of Japanese car ownership, but the Q2 is our pick, thanks to how easy it is to drive and park. As much as the Countryman is fun to drive, we would personally go for a smaller MINI to fulfil our petrolhead needs.
But whichever car you decide to pick, you can be sure it won't have you looking like a fuddy-duddy daddy.
I like the way you make me feel
Ultimately, the Audi and MINI do offer a more premium, well put-together proposition, but at a relatively higher price tag than the Jeep. The Audi Q2 is the most expensive at $165,800 (as of 22nd June 2017) despite being the smallest in size, while the more spacious MINI Countryman goes for $163,000 (as of 6th July 2017).
As the newest comer in its segment, the Renegade does have some catching up to do in terms of refinement, but it will satisfy most Singaporean drivers enough to consider one. Otherwise, its more affordable $147,800 (as of 6th July 2017) asking price should.
The Renegade makes the most financial sense for young couples or small families venturing out of Japanese car ownership, but the Q2 is our pick, thanks to how easy it is to drive and park. As much as the Countryman is fun to drive, we would personally go for a smaller MINI to fulfil our petrolhead needs.
But whichever car you decide to pick, you can be sure it won't have you looking like a fuddy-duddy daddy.
