Introduction
Audi pioneered the subcompact luxury SUV class when it introduced its Q3 in 2015.
In 2019, Audi completely redesigned the Q3, adding only a new infotainment system from there, while additional safety features became standard.
The new Audi Q3 is a smart way to get behind the wheel of an Audi without increasing your budget. It combines most of the goodness of the larger Q5 in a smaller, less expensive luxury package.
Styles and Options
The Audi Q3 is offered in three versions: Premium, Premium Plus.
Highlights of the Premium trim start with LED headlights, a power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration.
Moving up to the Premium Plus brings features like front and rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning.
The high-end model is loaded with power folding mirrors, adaptive cruise control, an automated parking system, a fully digital instrument panel, a premium sound system, a larger touchscreen, and a navigation system, among other features. .
An S Line Appearance Package (the one I tried), is available on Premium and Premium Plus models and includes upgraded wheels and some exterior styling trim.
Power train
Our test model, the Premium plus S Line, is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive is standard.
interior style
The Q3 has a good quality of materials, and as usual with Audi, the design is very elegant.
The front seats provide very good long-distance comfort, although not much lateral support in corners, which are a pleasure to take very fast corners.
The front seats offer eight-way adjustment so you can find the perfect position and four-way power lumbar adjustment for long drives. Controls are clearly labeled and within easy reach.
In everyday surroundings, the Q3 feels reasonably compact, but it can carry four adults and their gear in good comfort.
Depending on the rear seating position, it has 18.7 to 23.7 cubic feet of cargo area, or 48 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The Q3 comes with the latest MMI infotainment system. The 10.1-inch center touchscreen uses handwriting recognition, which is great for the passenger but could be distracting for the driver.
The Q3 gets LTE connectivity and a WiFi hotspot, along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It comes with a good 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system.
With the MMI navigation function, the Q3 can operate Apple CarPlay wirelessly. Sometimes it takes a minute to activate when you start the car, but it’s ultimately convenient.
Audi’s virtual cockpit is a new technology feature, with a widescreen replacing the entire driver information display.
You can display the navigation map there, or customize the screen to your liking. Even if you don’t go for the virtual cockpit, you still get a fully digital display.
Security
Safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, full-length side airbags, front and rear parking sensors, and forward collision warning with low-speed automatic braking.
Optional features include a clear surround view system, lane departure intervention and adaptive cruise, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
A 360-degree view should help drivers park more easily. And the Q3 can be parked by steering while the driver manages gear selection, acceleration and braking.
On the highway
Despite the small engine, the Q3 accelerates smoothly and quickly. The four-wheel drive system is transparent to the driver and will send most of its power to the front wheels, during most driving scenarios.
Since the rear wheels are always engaged, they can come into play as needed to provide additional traction.
It is known that the Audi quattro system is one of the best on the market, and it helps a lot to have four-wheel drive, to drive on dirt roads or when you find a lot of rain on the road.
The transmission contributes to trying to achieve the highest possible speed when you are not actively accelerating. When you step on the accelerator, the Q3 needs to downshift a couple of gears, to give the engine power.
The eight-speed automatic transmission can also be a bit slow to react when coming from a stop. It offers harder shifting than you might expect. But it is something normal in European cars.
There are five driver-selectable modes to dial in performance characteristics, including Comfort, Automatic, Dynamic, Offroad and Individual.
The Q3 is more energetic from a handling standpoint. It has responsive steering and maintains its composure when driving through high-speed corners.
It smoothes over rough pavement with smooth effort, while the interior remains quiet. It is one of the SUVs that can take corners at high speed.
The Q3’s ride quality is firm but not overly stiff. Bumps can be felt throughout the cabin, but the Q3 dispatches them quickly and doesn’t make excessive body movements. It’s also pretty quiet as there’s little outside noise, either from the tires or the wind.
Conclusion
The Q3 has modern styling, a spacious interior, and good tech features.
Among the competitors are the BMW X1, the Infiniti QX30, the Mercedes-Benz GLB and the Volvo XC40, which each has its own, and is to the taste of buyers, although I think that the Q3 gains an advantage for its standard all-wheel drive and your overall comfort.
The Q3’s compact dimensions and fastback roofline drastically reduce available interior space compared to other crossover SUVs.
But the pleasing performance, exceptional fit and finish, added to the standard all-wheel drive, make it that much easier to overlook a lack of space.
Precio: From US$37,595
Consumption: 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway