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Audi Q3

Shrunken Audi Q5 arrives to take the fight to BMW X1 with a blend of high quality and refinement

Audi Q3 front tracking

Text: Ross Pinnock / Photos: Otis Clay

November 2011

  • Rating:
Downsizing is a buzzword at the moment, and that makes the latest addition to the Audi line-up hot property. The new Q3 compact SUV is designed to do everything the Q5 can do, but in a smaller, more affordable package.

There are few surprises on the outside, as the Q3 mimics the look of its bigger stablemates. Short overhangs emphasise its compact dimensions – at 4,385mm, it is almost identical in length to a Ford C-MAX – but familiar Audi styling cues abound, so the Q3 is instantly recognisable. With its trademark grille, headlamps and curving roofline, it looks like a Q5 that has been put on a hot wash.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi Q3

 

The similarities with other models in the company’s range continue inside, where its high-quality fixtures and fittings are an Audi staple. The top-grade materials and logical layout make the Q3 easy to get along with as soon as you sit behind the wheel.

Only two trim levels (SE and S line) are available, but standard equipment is generous across the board, with dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity all included.

It’s practical, too, and the cabin provides just enough space for adults to sit one behind the other. The 460-litre boot is big enough for most day-to-day jobs and buyers can even specify a folding front passenger seat on SE models for longer loads (£130).

Power comes from a choice of two turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engines, producing 209bhp and 168bhp respectively, and a pair of diesels (138bhp and 175bhp).

All apart from the entry-level diesel come with the company’s confidence-inspiring quattro four-wheel-drive set-up. The two-wheel-drive version emits 138g/km of CO2, but it doesn’t arrive until December, so we got behind the wheel of the 168bhp 2.0-litre petrol.

Audi bills the Q3 as a small sports SUV, so does the driving experience live up to this claim? We think it does, as the newcomer proves agile and responsive from behind the wheel. Best of all, it achieves this without compromising comfort.

On the undulating North Yorkshire roads of our test, the Q3 soaked up bumps and ruts impressively. The precise steering, positive gearshift and progressive brakes make it as easy to drive around town as on twisty country roads, and the suspension does a good job of keeping its raised body upright.

It’s not as engaging or enjoyable as the very best cars in the class, but its combination of performance, refinement and comfort holds all-round appeal.

The smooth-revving TFSI petrol fitted to our test car suits the sporty brief and is incredibly smooth, but given its CO2 emissions of 174g/km and fuel consumption of 36.7mpg, we think diesel models will be a far better way of enjoying Q3 ownership.

A host of fuel-saving technologies are designed to improve the Audi’s economy, including a smooth stop-start system and brake recuperation, but there’s a good reason why BMW doesn’t even offer a petrol version of the X1 in the UK.

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12 Comments

Hard plastics on the lower area of the dashboard

By giorikas81 on 4 November, 2011, 3:37pm

On the plus side, unlike the Q5 and X3, RHD models do not appear to suffer from off-set pedals. Going to struggle against an Evoque. Problem is that the target market, image-concious school mum is going to look like an impoverished mini-me parking next to the grotesque and gargantuan Q7.

By Broader on 4 November, 2011, 4:35pm

yawn

Boring by any standards and like most Audi cars hard cheap materials abound below the dash top. Probably rubbish off road too, exactly like the rest of the Q range.

By tr_4_triumph on 4 November, 2011, 10:58pm

Euthanasia

When you buy this or considering it, even euthanasia is no solution anymore.

By garfield_87 on 7 November, 2011, 6:07pm

Dull, expensive, and dull...

Like all "jacked-up" estate cars the styling is awful. I doubt it is any better to drive and own than an A3 Sportback, so what's the point?
I believe Audi is under increasing pressure from it's own stablemates for the minds of the thinking buyer. A Skoda Yeti looks to be a better bet than one of these ugly ducklings. Audi is pricing itself out of the market as the competition gets better. There are too many Audis on the road to feel special driving one any more, and the new prices are just not value for money. btw - I've had Audis since 1999 and the news ones are no better to drive than cars 5 years old.

By dav01wat on 8 November, 2011, 9:04am

The Austin Allegro lives on as the Audi Q3

Nice to see Audi copying the Austin Allegro , I wonder if it has the square steering wheel as an option as it was standard on the Allegro.Long live mthe Allegro.

By coolkid on 8 November, 2011, 9:49am

Austin Allegro ?????

I wish the Allegro I had, looked like this Audi.

By jay651 on 8 November, 2011, 1:14pm

its also a four seater

like the Q5 this one is a 4seater because of the same big rear tunnel running throught the middle of the back row floor, although more acceptable in the Q3, than in the Q5.

By kirra1 on 8 November, 2011, 1:42pm

Austin Allegro ?

coolkid thinks this looks like Austin Allegro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how sad probably drives BMW with no indicators

By harryg on 8 November, 2011, 3:04pm

@dav01wat I hate you, ha ha. You stole my 'thunder'.....jacked up, butched up, steroided up estates and hatches. SUV is an oxymoron, and we buy the lines, and buy the cars. Our gullibility has got to speak to what gets foisted on us. Much as I love Audi, and most of what they make, this is no more than a 'me too' car. I wonder what is on the Mission Statement in the boardroom.

By barina47 on 9 November, 2011, 7:29am

Another niche, another German

Probably the most predictable vehicle since the invention of the zoom photocopier.

By ukmike2000 on 10 November, 2011, 7:42pm

Go to the dealers

Just go to the dealers and try to buy a car off them.... The choice for me was Q3, X1, Tiguan

1. Audi salesman - very helpful spoke about the car well, explained delivery dates and when I could expect a car - told me go look at the X1, its the same car for rear seat size, and come back, when he said he'd have one in (strange I thought ... no hard sell... but helpful what did he know that I didnt???)
2. went to BMW, but because I only just finished work at 6, they were closing - at 6:30pm - I practically begged to see a new or used X1, but dont think I was good enough for them to sell a car to (Warrington, Halliwell Jones) - maybe they're not on commission- who knows.
3. Went to VW... where the salesman told me he drove an A4.....

After research..... Back to Audi following day, there it is, sweet - now on order.

Just look at the fuel and performance filgures and work it out for yourself, but making stupid comments isnt helpful

By Ridiculousregistrationprocess on 22 November, 2011, 11:10pm

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Pictures

Audi Q3 front tracking
Audi Q3 rear tracking
Audi Q3 dash
Audi Q3 rear seats
Audi Q3 detail
Audi Q3 boot

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FIRST OPINION

    The Q3 is an assured performer, but petrol models don’t show the newcomer in the best light. The more economical diesels will be the stars of the range. Despite this, the 2.0-litre petrol shows that applying
    traditional Audi values to the small off-roader sector is a recipe for success. It’s not the most eye-catching or innovative car in its class, but its high-quality interior and responsive handling make the Q3 a convincing package.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £25,690
    Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol
    Power/torque: 168bhp/280Nm
    Transmission: Six-speed manual/four-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 8.2 seconds
    Top speed: 132mph
    Economy: 36.7mpg
    CO2 emissions: 174g/km
    Standard equipment: 17-inch alloys, aluminium roof rails, dual-zone climate control, 6.5-inch display screen, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, start-stop, leather multifunction steering wheel, rear parking sensors
    On sale: Now
     
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