The X2's acceleration equals the Swede’s while eclipsing that of the bloated Brit

the XC40’S rear window-line kink limits the view out.

The E-pace, too, squanders the space bounties that its 1.9m width suggests. Although it appears roomier than the Swede (let alone the slender Audi), it is no more so than the narrower BMW. Just as in the XC40, some of the more out-of-the-way plastics don’t seem as savoury as its lofty pricing would suggest; the front seats are soft but also a tad shapeless and not so supportive on longer journeys; and a high rear floor forces a less-comfy kneesup posture for beanpoles out back.

On the flipside, the Jaguar’s entry/egress is the best here, it is quiet inside, with plenty of legroom in the rear, good vision, and no shortage of USB sockets, cupholders or storage options. The dash possesses a congenial simplicity, the 484-litre boot is the biggest here and the Jag’s driving position is appealingly lowslung and enveloping. Maybe it’s the F-type relation.

Not surprisingly, a similarly sporty atmosphere infuses the BMW, thanks to superb (though optional) seat-support enhancements, thoughtful ergonomics, uncomplicated idrive multimedia, ample airiness in the rear (due in part to narrow front buckets), with reclining backrests and room to stretch out. The hemmed-in feel the lowered roofline hints at does not materialise.

There’s little to berate the X2 about, aside from some wind rustle around its oversized mirrors, ever-present road noise, a vision-reducing high waistline, and the roofmounted centre back seatbelt, which is fiddly and makes for awkwardly intimate neck contact on some people.

It’s not just in packaging that the smaller Germans punch above their perceived abilities. Though eager 2.0-litre turbo-petrol fours are common, their outputs vary greatly, with 140kw/280nm (X2) and 141kw/320nm (Q2) paling alongside the E-pace P250’s 183kw/350nm and XC40 T5’s 185kw/365nm.

However, effective girth control allows the substantially lighter Germans to deliver from a standing start. The X2’s acceleration is only half a second behind the feisty Q2’s 6.7sec 0-100km/h PB, equalling the (barely run-in) Swede and eclipsing the bloated Brit by almost a second. Regardless of its output shortfalls, the X2 sdrive20i is strident off the mark and hungry through the mid-range, backed up by a quick-witted dual-clutch gearbox that’s always on the money with the right ratio. The Bavarian also proved second-quickest from 80 to 120km/h, and when stretched beyond 150km/h, it pulls away from the entire pack.

Where the Audi’s powertrain shines brightest is in two seemingly conflicting areas – its velvety point-to-point thrust combined with outstanding real-world efficiency. Flexible down low, yet thriving on high revs, the 2.0 TFSI quattro blitzes along at a cracking pace, especially when in Sport mode, as there’s plenty of extra poke to explore in the engine’s upper reaches.

Like the BMW, the seven-speed dual-clutch seems terrifically in tune with the available power. Yet, even when caned, it managed a respectable 9.0L/100km, to be the only single-digit achiever – a litre less than the X2 and more than 25 percent better than the Volvo’s disheartening 12.1L/100km average.

The Jag’s 10.7L/100km consumption wasn’t bad considering how much harder that new-fangled Ingenium four-pot turbo has to work to overcome the E-pace’s mass. The P250 actually feels pretty muscular, shuffling imperceptibly through its nine ratios for decent accelerative thrust. Only beyond triple digits does its weight burden wash the pace away.

Both the Swede’s fuel consumption and acceleration will improve with mileage. But even without that advantage (which our Q2 had, with 10,000km under its belt), the XC40 has ample urge in reserve, with its lusty yet refined engine reacting willingly and smoothly to pedal inputs (as its vigorous 4.6sec 80 to 120km/h time suggests), and it even seemed to loosen up as testing kilometres piled on.

Light and breezy, the Volvo’s steering seems perfectly suited to its intended urban habitat, providing for ease of manoeuvrability. Ride quality with two on board is also pleasant around town, and up there with its rivals in dealing with low-speed bumps, thumps and tram lines.