Audi Q3 review - Interior, design and technology

Although it’s instantly recognisable as an Audi Q3, you don’t need to be too much of an Audi geek to spot the differences between this model and the last. This time around the car looks a little tougher with a taller profile, less rakish bonnet and more upright windscreen. Coupled with the more angular grille and boxy flared wheelarches, it definitely makes for a stronger presence on the road.

The interior will be far more interesting to owners of the old model though, as the formerly dated cabin has been replaced with a set-up that’s easily as good as anything else in the class. The core of the upgrade is Audi’s fantastic Virtual Cockpit display which replaces the traditional instrument pack with a colourful and feature packed TFT screen that’s a full 12.25 inches or 12.3 inches wide, depending on model.

You can configure the dash display with a range of driving and navigation info and graphics, while a second similarly large display in the middle of the dash deals with all the other infotainment and vehicle functions.

The car is built with Audi’s thorough attention to detail, and there’s a genuinely high-quality, precision feel to the way it’s put together, inside and out.

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While the look and feel of the materials is faultless, the new cabin design can also be lifted with some interesting new trim options including Alcantara sections on the dashboard and door armrests. You can specify brown, grey or a vibrant orange which is an unusually playful touch for Audi.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The TFT screen-based dash looks pretty spectacular in the Audi Q3, and in top spec with MMI Navigation Plus you get the added benefit of an even wider display and full-colour Google Maps. The central touchscreen is impressive too, but does show up fingerprints quite badly.

The standard audio set-up is a six-speaker system with DAB, Bluetooth, Audi Smartphone Interface, and Audi Connect services subject to subscription.