Pros: high-quality and spacious cabin, good array of drivetrains, lots of tech
Cons: congested left-hand column stalk, odd instrument display, unsettled ride
Audi Q3 Design
While inoffensively handsome, the new Audi Q3’s styling doesn’t particularly standout. It looks a lot like a shrunken version of its larger Q5 and Q6 relations, which is understandable in one respect, but it leads to a ‘Russian doll’ homogeny to the design of all Audi’s current SUVs, which in turn makes the latest model to arrive on the scene less impactful – you feel like you’ve seen this stuff before. So it goes for the third-generation Q3.
Once past that feeling of aesthetic familiarity, the rest of the Q3’s appearance is sure to meet general approval in a showroom. The big news on the Audi is the option of fancy Matrix LED headlights that broadcast driver-aiding and patterns onto the road at night to help with lane-keeping and lane swaps, and more, but if those lights are not specified then what you have here is a generic chunk of compact premium SUV. If you want a 29mm-lower roofline and the pretence of coupe-like sportiness, then Audi will provide a Sportback spin-off of the Q3 for about an €1,800 premium, model-for-model.
Audi Q3 Interior
In terms of the high standard of fit-and-finish inside the Audi Q3, and for the amount of eye-catching technology it has, there are few complaints. Also, the regular SUV body has plenty of room in the second row of seating, with a good amount of space for both the legs and the heads of taller occupants back there but choose the Sportback carefully – its lower ceiling does limit outright headroom in the rear of the Q3.
Our fundamental issues with the new Q3’s cabin relate to three things. The first is the dimpled metal trim finish you can have for the scalloped-out bit of the passenger dashboard fascia – it’s nice to the touch but looks strange sprawling across that expanse and there are better material options available. The second is the 11.9-inch instrument cluster, one of three displays alongside the 12.8-inch infotainment control and a head-up display for the driver; but although the instrumentation is configurable and quick to respond to control inputs, it’s presented in a strange letterbox format that leaves a large black blank space of unsightly trim above, while the grey background and widely distributed graphics render it sparsely populated and not that easy on the eye.
The final gripe relates to Audi striving oh-so-hard to maintain symmetrical balance behind the steering wheel that it has made a rare ergonomic blunder as a result – quite unlike this company. With a column-shift to the right of the wheel, it means the Q3 has a morass of controls for wipers, lights and indicators mounted on a solitary extrusion to the left. And operating this glut of switchgear is far from second nature, so you spend a lot of your initial time at the wheel looking down for where the rear-wiper switch is, for instance, or using the ungainly tablet that serves as the indicator ‘stalk’.
Audi Q3 1.5 TFSI Performance & Drive
The 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine called the TFSI 150 is the basic entry point to Audi Q3 drivetrains, and perfectly adequate it is too. It delivers 150hp and 250Nm, making it sprightly enough to keep up with everyday traffic flow, and while it can get a little noisy if revved too high, it’s swift enough in the midrange than you can avoid such histrionics. Like most Q3s, it comes with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, and it is fitted with mild-hybrid technology to save fuel wherever possible. Official fuel consumption is in the region of 6.5 litres/100km, accompanied by CO2 emissions rated at 147g/km.
For ride, refinement and handling, the Q3 is OK but nothing special. While it’s a generally comfortable car to travel in, the suspension always feels a bit unsettled and nervous, while the SUV can thump over large transverse ridges and other such sizeable road imperfections. Meanwhile, the suppression of engine, wind and suspension noise is largely excellent, although on poorly surfaced routes there’s more tyre roar in the back of the passenger compartment than we’d expect for this class and status of vehicle. As for the handling, it is classic Audi: very safe and very predictable and, ultimately, not interesting. But sufficient for a family SUV like this.
Audi Q3 Pricing
The 1.5 TFSI in its SUV body is the cheapest new Audi Q3 of them all at €48,515. This makes it competitive compared to BMW, Mercedes and Volvo rivals, and in basic SE specification some tech highlights include climate control, a powered tailgate, the main twin-screen ‘Digital Stage’ interface arrangement, parking sensors all round, cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels, among more. S line, as tested here, is mainly sportier styling inside and out, plus the fitment of 19-inch alloys in the arches.
Carzone Verdict
Without doing anything spectacular, and indeed while presenting a few minor issues that might annoy some customers, the Audi Q3 is nevertheless destined to be a sales success. With the typically smart appearance of any Audi and a generally capable all-round dynamic display, it has once again proven itself another strong contender in the premium compact SUV marketplace.