sporty driving dynamics, top-notch interiors and the technology
20" alloy wheels dont handle the rough roads that well.
New looks, better engines, enhanced fuel efficiency and better value – nothing has been overlooked in the update package for Audi’s excellent Q3 compact SUV. That’s German efficiency and thoroughness for you.
The fact is you get a lot of compact SUV plus the cachet of the German brand from only $42,900 (Q3 1.4 TFSI). And that’s a fact recognized by Australian new car buyers with Audi sales so far this year up by 15 per-cent – ahead of 2014’s record-setting marks.
“All of our ‘Q’ models are popular,” revealed Audi Australia’s boss Andrew Doyle. “In fact ‘Q’ is almost a stand-alone brand and the Q3 in particular is popular with both young families and ‘empty-nesters’.”
So an update for a ‘Q’ model will be good news for Audi dealers. But it gets better with two big-volume vehicles the Q7 and A4 due for all-new model lineups next year.
Audi Q3 Overview
A revised model lineup greets buyers of the updated 2015 Audi Q3. Entry-level 1.4 TFSI 2WD remains but the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol is now exclusively a Quattro and it is the ‘Sport’ variant. In fact, it is the fastest Q3 (apart from the RS Q3 of which an updated faster model with new styling and more power will arrive in a few weeks).
And there’s more output for the 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel (110kW or 135kW in the ‘Sport’ grade).
So we have:
| Q3 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic | $42,900 |
| Q3 2.0 TDI Quattro S tronic | $47,900 |
| Q3 2.0 TFSI Sport Quattro S tronic | $52,300 |
| Q3 2.0 TDI Sport Quattro S tronic | $56,900 |
As usual with Audi some extra packages are well worth considering:
The Technik Package ($2,990) brings ‘MMI Navigation plus’ with 20GB HDD storage and two SHDC readers.
Then there’s the ‘Comfort Package’ ($2,490 for Q3 Sport or $2,990 for the rest) which adds electric front seat adjustment (plus lumbar support and heating for ‘Sport’), convenience key, auto-dimming mirror (‘Sport’), and electronic tailgate operation (‘Sport’).
Our favourite is the ‘S line Sports Package’ which includes S line exterior package, 18-inch alloy wheels, S line sports seats in Alcantara/leather, S line sports steering wheels, black headlining and aluminium interior trim highlights.
Audi Q3 Engine
The updated Audi Q3’s entry-level petrol model remains the 1.4-litre TFSI. But this time it’s a 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic. Of course the ‘COD’ (cylinder on demand) nomenclature is the change as this excellent fuel-saving technology is new.
With maximum power of 110kW between 5000-6000rpm and peak torque of 250Nm from 1500-3500rpm the Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI COD has plenty of urge (zero to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds) and drives sweetly via the six-speed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission. But the big news is fuel consumption – COD technology dropping that mark to 5.8l/100kms (combined-cycle) – that’s 20 per-cent less than the outgoing model.
In the entry-level grade and opening the batting for Quattro all-wheel-drive versions is the Audi Q3 2.0 TDI with 110kW/340Nm. With fuel consumption as low as 5.2l/100kms, this Q3 won’t be a frequent visitor to the fuel bowser.
In the Audi Q3 Sport model we have two 2.0-litre engines (petrol and diesel).
The Sport model employs the 2.0 TDI diesel with 135kW between 3500-4000rpm and 380Nm from 1800-3250rpm and driving through the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission. Fuel consumption rates at 5.4-l/100kms.
And on the petrol front, Audi Q3 Quattro Sport is powered by the 2.0-litre TFSI offering 132kW from 4000-6200rpm and 320Nm from 1400-3900 rpm and also driving through the seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission. For fuel consumption you can chalk-up 6.7l/100kms.
All Quattro-equipped models score the latest 5th generation system which debuts in the S1 Sportback.
Audi Q3 The Interior
No changes inside for the updated Audi Q3. Oh there’s an available electric tailgate and a new luggage cover but Audi has sensibly by-passed alterations for what is already one of the best interiors in this league.
For starters, while the Audi Q3 may be a compact SUV, up-front driver and passenger enjoy roomy and supportive seats which would not be out-of-place even in the large Q7. As one expects from Audi, the steering wheel is sporty, adjusts for rake and reach and combines with extensive seat adjustment to provide a perfect driving environment.
There’s the usual high-class Audi instrumentation, free-standing seven-inch screen with new 3D graphics for the satellite navigation and updated audio system. And below is the hallmark Audi centre console with easy-to-use buttons/dials for nav, climate control and entertainment.
Rear seat space is on-par with others in this segment.
Out-back the Audi Q3 enjoys a deceptively large luggage area. That’s 460-litres with the rear seat in-place or 1365-litres when folded.
Audi Q3 Exterior & Styling
Audi labels the Q3 ‘Street Meets Smart’ (alluding to its dual purpose capability) but a key to the updated appearance was to imbue the compact SUV with more street ‘cred’.
At the front there’s a new sculptured version of the single frame grille, a new front splitter and new air intakes. Xenon headlights are now standard and they come with surrounding LED DRLs – each one containing 27 diodes for a brilliant effect.
The rear sees new tail-lights with dynamic turn indicators.
Audi Q3 On The Road
We spent oh about one kilometer on dirt roads during a full day driving Audi Q3 models at the national media launch in north-east NSW and south-east Queensland. Proportionately that’s about the same as most customer cars would spend off-road.
Our diesel-powered Audi Q3 was equipped with the S line sport package which included the 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/35 R 20 tyres. And there’s no point mincing words – the 135kW 2.0-litre TDI is one of the world’s turbo-diesel gems with plenty of standing start urge, plenty of mid-range and nicely refined when cruising.
For the entry-level 1.4 TFSI our car was fitted with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R18 tyres. The 1.4-litre was nicely matched to the size of the Q3 with good response across all speeds and the six –speed S tronic was just as smooth as the seven-speeder fitted to other models.
Our favourite was the Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI Quattro and we drove a couple of versions – one with the 19-inch wheels and the other with 18-inchers. Now with 132kW/320Nm this seemed the perfect combination for the Q3 – very lively when asked and with the usual exhaust note from TFSI engines.
Of course the Audi Q3 excelled in the twisty stuff. It cornered flat and provided crisp turn-in and excellent mid-corner balance.
Naturally the Quattro-equipped models scored highest marks. Our Q3 Quattros excelled with the hallmark sporty feedback when pushed.
Audi Q3 Issues
We reckon the 20-inch alloys really give the Audi Q3 some muscle in the looks department and the extra rubber provided excellent grip. But we did encounter some roads damaged by the recent severe storms and over the potholes the 20-incher did introduce some harshness (there is no sporty car which wouldn’t have been harsh on those roads).
Audi Q3 Verdict
In this segment the Audi Q3 and its larger stablemate the Q5 are two of our favourite cars. We love the ‘Audi-ness’ of them – the sporty driving dynamics, the top-notch interiors and the technology.
Audi says it is these elements and the design which attracts buyers to the Q3. We can see why.
Dollar-for-dollar and specification-for-specification the Audi Q3 model range is a standout. Oh and compact SUVs are the hip cars of this generation.
Audi Q3 The Competition
It’s a slick field of German prestige compact SUVs. Best to carefully consider specific models and standard/optional features as it can be bewildering.
On-paper BMW’s X1 looks a bit pricey (2WD starting at $48,300 and AWD starting from $59,900). But check what is standard and optional to get a true picture. We like the on-road presence of the X1 but we prefer the interior of the Audi Q3. No doubt the Audi is a sportier drive.
We’re huge fans (who isn’t?) of the Mercedes-Benz GLA. It’s astonishingly good to drive but probably isn’t as ‘SUV’ as the Audi Q3. You’ll need $48,300 to snare the entry-level GLA 200 CDI.
