The Audi Q3 has been a well-established bestseller in the premium compact segment for more than ten years now; long enough to establish its credentials. This popular sport utility vehicle (SUV) is now in its third generation and is certainly setting new standards in several respects. This is something we expect from this prestige car builder.
Numerous innovative features turn the Audi Q3 into, their words not ours, a ‘digital companion’, suggesting as ever that this is a very advanced technology vehicle. Buyers can expect the usual Audi first-class user experience offering greater comfort and, importantly, safety for the driver, passengers and other road users thanks to many assistance systems and a well-balanced suspension system.
High-resolution light functions are made possible with the new ‘micro-LED’ technology in the digital Matrix LED headlights. Another feature of the new Audi Q3 is an efficient, partially electrified combustion engine with mild-hybrid technology or a plug-in hybrid model with an electric range of up to 74 miles. Don’t worry, regular petrol and diesel users are covered too.
On The Outside
The premium new Audi Q3 features a modern exterior design that exudes self-confidence. The body is defined by the perfect combination of rounded sections and precise lines. The wide ‘Singleframe’ grille is positioned high up, and the sleekly tapered headlights create a focused look and are fully integrated into the vehicle's aerodynamic concept. This new design ensures a particularly efficient airflow around the front end. The controllable cool-air intake is installed in the area under the grille and ensures that the airstream can flow around this area with minimal losses. The parking sensors are also located there. The sensors for the driver assistance systems are installed behind the four rings of legend.
Viewed from the side, a horizontal shoulder line between the front and rear lights visually divides the car into two parts, creating a very special lighting effect. The upper side seems to catch the light, while the lower side falls seemingly into shadow; interesting and certainly more innovative than some models from, let’s say, a few mainstream makers. The powerfully emerging blisters from the shoulder area of the front and rear wheels are reminiscent of the original ‘quattro’ Audi from days gone by.
The rear also features a clear design ethos. Separated from the two-part rear lights, the precisely drawn narrow light strip cuts sharply across the entire width of the vehicle (on the S line trim variant and above), giving the rear a clean look. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumper. New wheel designs are available from 18 inches as standard, up to a maximum of 20 inches. Aerodynamic wheels from 18 inches to 19 inches complete the range. Audi Sport supplies a total of four wheel designs in 19 inch and 20 inch sizes. These include two darkened variants in black metallic: a 20 inch wheel with a five-arm tripod design (standard on Edition 1 models) and an optional 20 inch wheel with a multi-spoke S design.
The aerodynamics and overall vehicle acoustics have been significantly improved compared to the predecessor. In addition to the drag coefficient of 0.30, the focus is primarily on acoustic comfort. The Audi Q3 is the first Audi model in the compact segment to offer acoustic glazing for the front side windows. In combination with optimised sealing and insulation in the vehicle, this creates a harmonious acoustic concept with a noticeable improvement in driving comfort.
The entry-level model in the Audi Q3 family is the Audi Q3 SUV TFSI a four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology and standard seven-speed ‘S tronic’ auto ‘box. It delivers 148BHP (150PS) of power and its highlight is the ‘cylinder-on-demand’ system, which temporarily shuts down the second and third cylinders at low and medium loads. There’s also a 148BHP(150PS) diesel version and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) predestined for long distances, but with electric support. It is more powerful and more efficient thanks to a combination with the electric motor, delivering a total system output of 268BHP (272PS) and 400Nm of system torque.
To be introduced later in the year and positioned above the entry-level unit is the Audi Q3 SUV TFSI quattro 201BHP (204PS), which develops 320Nm of torque. The most powerful of the combustion engines is the Audi Q3 SUV TFSI quattro 261BHP (265PS) with quattro drive. A 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine with the seven-speed S tronic gearbox is responsible for propulsion delivering 400Nm of torque to all four wheels.
On The Inside
There’s a cosy interior feel to this car which has sustainability as part of the package thanks to a generous nod to modern materials. Over a large area, a design function called ‘Softwrap’ extends from the doors across the entire width of the dashboard, highlighting the horizontal alignment for a maximum sense of space.
The panoramic display with an 11.9 inch instrument cluster and 12.8 inch MMI (multi-mode interface) touch display forms the so-called ‘digital stage’. Its curved design creates a driver-oriented cockpit layout. Audi is thus transferring the digital stage from the full-size class to the compact segment. A head-up display (part of optional ‘Sound & Vision Pack’, but standard on e-hybrid models) for important information supplements the digital displays.
Flat door handles and a modern, uncluttered console underscore the feeling of space and comfort. The new steering wheel control unit has great practical benefits. Interestingly, it integrates two new steering column levers for the first time, thus creating more storage space in the centre console, a new user experience certainly, and a better sense of space. The lever on the right serves as a gear selector (Those who remember column gear-shift changers on old cars need not worry, we’ve moved on a bit since then), the one on the left works as a control element for the light functions and wind-shield wipers.
The elimination of the gear selector in the centre console results in more space in the console with two cup holders. The cooled inductive charging tray with 15 watts of charging power including two USB-C ports can be closed by a sliding cover if desired. Two additional USB-C ports are located in the rear. In the dark, the standard ambient light plus package highlights the interior ambiance. Marker lights in the dashboard and centre console emphasise the interior's clear, comfy lines.
As another new design element, the front doors are now fitted with large-area illumination (standard on the S line and above). The fabric panel is laser-cut 300 times for this purpose. A light source in the door trim backlights five segments which, due to their different sizes, show a dynamic lighting progression, even when unlocking and locking the vehicle. Thirty different colours are, we learn, available in the MMI and increase the possibilities for the trend of personalisation. A ‘Sonos’ sound system (that ‘Sound and Vision Pack’ again) provides an intense listening experience. The infotainment system of the Audi Q3 uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system.
Third-party apps such as YouTube are available from the Audi Application Store, which is directly integrated into the MMI and therefore does not require a smartphone to use. The 488 litre boot demonstrates the practicality of the Audi Q3. If the seat bench is moved all the way forward and placed in an upright position, the result is 575 litres. With the seat bench folded down, the storage space for the Audi Q3 increases to up to 1,386 litres. The seat bench can be moved lengthwise, and its angle can be adjusted as standard.
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