SUVs don't need to be big to be desirable. Audi aims to prove the point with this MK2 model Q3. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

Audi continues to target the ever-growing market for premium-badged mid-sized five-seat SUVs with this second generation version of its stylish little Q3. In both Sportback and this standard SUV form, this car's now cleverer, smarter and more efficient, all of these being attributes it'll need if it's to make headway in this increasingly crowded segment. When it comes to this kind of car, there are certainly cheaper options. The question though, is whether there are really any more desirable ones.

Background

Sales of five-seat Qashqai-class Crossovers have certainly taken off in recent years. Nor is it only the mainstream brands that are offering us cars of this kind - family hatches with raised ride heights and a dose of SUV-style attitude. The premium makers are at it too, with cars like this one, Audi's desirable second generation Q3. This model has been a useful seller for the Ingolstadt maker since the MK1 model's original launch in 2011, but these days, it's facing tougher competition. Its closest rival, BMW's X1, has upped its game, Mercedes also does well in this profitable market niche with its GLA model and the more recent Jaguar E-PACE and Volvo XC40 models have already found a ready band of buyers. For all these reasons, this Audi needed to evolve - as it has in the MK2 model guise we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

There are six engine options - four petrol TFSI units and two TDI diesels - with power outputs ranging from 150PS to 400PS. All the mainstream engines are four-cylinder direct injection units with turbocharging. Things kick off with the '35 TFSI' front-driven derivative, which offers a 150PS 1.5-litre engine that uses the cylinder on demand efficiency system, which temporarily switches off two cylinders at low load. Buyers choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed S tronic automatic. Next up is the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit of the '45 TFSI quattro', offered with 245PS. Here, you get S tronic auto transmission and quattro 4WD as standard. Also offering 245PS is the Plug-in Hybrid 45 TFSIe variant, which mates a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor and can offer an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles. At the top of the range is the wild RS Q3, which uses a 400PS 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine. For folks still wanting a diesel, there's the '35 TDI', which gets you the usual 2.0-litre TDI powerplant with 150PS. Here, the choice is between a front-driven manual variant, an auto or a quattro auto. There's also a 2.0-litre 200PS '40TDI quattro' model, only offered with the S tronic auto and four-wheel drive. Adaptive damping is optional and you can adjust it via the settings of the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. Also standard is progressive steering, the ratio of which becomes gradually more direct as the steering angle increases. Hill descent control is also optional, to help you down slippery slopes, should you ever use your Q3 'off piste'.

Design and Build

This second generation Q3 is offered in coupe-like Sportback guise and in the standard SUV form we're going to look at here. This SUV body style is significantly larger than its predecessor, its 4.48m total length being 97mm longer than the original model. It's also 18mm wider, but sits 5mm lower. The styling's more purposeful this time round and the trademark Singleframe grille is more prominent, with an octagonal design and eight vertical bars. It's flanked by slimmer LED headlamps. Inside, much of the look and feel is borrowed from the brand's larger models, with a reductive instrument panel divided into two levels, the top part including the air vents and the bottom section the large octagonal area with its black-panel look. There's a fully digital instrument panel and an MMI centre-dash touch display surrounded by high-gloss black trim. The other thing that previous Q3 buyers will notice about the interior is the extra spaciousness on offer, made possible thanks to the 78mm of extra wheelbase added to this second generation model. The three-seater rear bench can be moved fore/aft by 150mm and its 40:20:40-split backrest can be tilted in seven stages. Boot capacity totals 530 or 675-litres, depending on the position of the rear seats and backrests. With the backrests completely folded down the figure rises to 1,525-litres. The loading floor can be adjusted in three levels, and the low loading sill of 748 millimetres makes stowing heavy luggage easier.

Market and Model

Prices haven't moved too far. Expect a similar span to the previous model, which means that this Q3 will sit mainly in the £29,000 to £46,000 bracket. For that you'll expect cutting-edge media connectivity - and you'll get it. Take the 'MMI navigation plus' package for example, which recognises the driver's preferences based on previous journeys, allowing it to generate suitable route suggestions. Buyers get a 3 year subscription to the usual 'Audi connect' media package which uses the super-fast LTE Advanced standard and provides its services like high resolution satellite images of Google Earth, a traffic information online system and a point-of-interest search function. Hybrid radio is also included in the specification. Depending on a station's signal strength it automatically switches between FM, DAB and the online stream to ensure optimum reception at all times. The Audi Q3 is near the top of its class when it comes to assist systems. Audi Side Assist blind spot monitoring and a lane departure warning function. Plus Audi's 'pre sense front' autonomous braking system is also included. To suit the mood of the moment, there's a bit of autonomous driving tech too, courtesy of the optional adaptive cruise assist, which works with the S tronic auto transmission and incorporates the functions of adaptive speed assist, traffic jam assist and active lane assist.

Cost of Ownership

The Q3 improves on the already impressive figures of existing models and the Cylinder-on-Demand technology for the latest 1.5-litre engine spells an almost diesel-like return of up to 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 147g/km of CO2. With the front driven 35 TDI 2.0 -litre diesel, expect up to 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 133g/km of CO2. The TFSIe plug-in variant has a range of up to 31 miles and can be charged via an AC wallbox in 3hrs 45 minutes. As for maintenance, well servicing your Q3 should be no more taxing than is the case with one of the company's larger cars. As usual with Audi models, there's a choice of either a 'Fixed' or a 'Flexible' servicing regime, the choice between the two depending on the extent of your likely annual mileage. Like most Audi models, once you've taken the pain of the initial asking price, ongoing costs should be manageable. As long as you don't go too berserk when choosing options, you'll have those reassuringly plump Audi residual values to fall back on, by far the biggest ticket item when it comes to overall cost of ownership in this corner of the market.

Summary

Audi knows better than most manufacturers that there's never a one-size-fits-all solution to modern motoring, hence the range of options offered by its various Q-series models. This one could well be all the car you actually need. Don't think of it as a shrunken version of its Q5 compact SUV stablemate. It isn't really any kind of SUV, instead offering a smarter, more up-market take on the current trend towards lifestyle-orientated Qashqai-class five-seat SUVs. Sensible, stylish, fashionable cars that are striking such a sweet spot in the current market. As with almost any model of this kind, this one can easily manage the school run, an extended shopping trip, a weekend away or the annual family ski trip to Chamonix. The difference here though, lies in the quality, the depth of engineering and the sheer feel-good factor that you'll get by having this car on your driveway. Yes, you can certainly buy something slightly bigger and SUV-ish for this kind of money. But after trying a Q3, you probably won't want to.

Body Glass

Acoustic windscreen

Rain and light sensors

Privacy glass dark tinted rear and rear-side windows (from B-pillar backwards)

Rear wiper

Variable front intermittent wipers

Front and rear electric windows

Brakes

Electronic stabilisation control including ABS, ASR and EDL

Hill hold assist

Electromechanical parking brake

Hill descent control

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear black floor mats with contrast stitching in rock grey

Chassis/Suspension

Sports suspension

Communication

Bluetooth interface

Audi smartphone interface includes wireless Apple carplay/Android Auto

Phonebox light with wireless charging

Voice control system with natural language interaction

Audi connect safety and service

Driver Aids

Camera based traffic sign recognition

Progressive steering

Reversing camera

Distraction and Fatigue warning

Audi lane departure warning

Audi drive select

Driver Convenience

Power operated tailgate

Start stop system with recuperation

Driver Information

Audi Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" display

MMI Navigation Plus with high resolution 10.1 inch touchscreen colour display

Legal emergency call

Amazon alexa Integration

Service interval indicator

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED side indicators and kerb view function for passenger side

Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Leatherette door armrest

Aluminium look interior elements

Piano black inlay

Detail dashboard around MMI touch colour display in glass look, black with surround in aluminium look

Entertainment

DAB digital radio module

SONOS premium sound system

2 USB-C ports with charge and data functions

Exterior Body Features

Grille vertical bars in aluminium silver/Matt

Rear side wing doors

Rear diffuser strip in matt anthracite black

S line bumpers in contrasting Manhattan grey

Black roof rails

Rear diffuser grille in grained matt black

High gloss black finish B and C pillars

Exterior Lights

LED Dynamic rear indicators

Audi Beam uses LEDs to project the Audi logo onto the ground as you exit your Q3

LED third brake light

LED rear lights

Front fog lights

LED headlights with LED daytime running lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone electronic climate control

Interior Features

Front centre armrest

Black cloth headlining

12V socket in rear centre console

Stainless steel pedals

Twin leather upholstery with front sport seats + S embossing

Stainless steel luggage compartment sill finisher

Illuminated door sill trims with S logo

Perforated leather gearknob

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Packs

Black styling pack - Q3

Non smoking pack - Q3

Safety

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Tyre pressure warning

Electrically operated child locks on rear doors

3x3 point rear seatbelts

Seatbelt monitoring

Pre sense basic

Front seatbelt reminder

6 airbags - Driver, front passenger, curtain and side windows

Audi pre-sense front with pedestrain and cyclist recognition

Seats

40:20:40 folding with manual adjustment for 60:40 forwards/backwards position and backrest angle

Heated front seats

Electric lumbar support

Front and rear headrests

Single front passenger seat

Manual front seats with height adjustment

Adjustable rear seat bench/backrest with centre armrest and cupholder

ISOFIX child seat mounting for front passenger with airbag deactivation and outer rear seat including top tether attachment point for outer rear seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Security

Remote central locking

Immobiliser

Anti theft wheel bolts

Thatcham approved category 1 anti theft alarm

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

HC+NOx: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 201

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 206

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 201

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

CC: 1984

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 31.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 8.8

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9

General

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 37E

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 245

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Coin Series: Black Ed [Tech]

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Coin Description: TFSI 245 Quattro

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 37.7

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 245

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.8

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 180

Engine Power - RPM: 5000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 273

Engine Torque - NM: 370

Engine Torque - RPM: 1600

Top Speed: 147

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 255/40 R20

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 V SPOKE STAR

Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2680

Width (including mirrors): 2024

Height: N

Height (including roof rails): 1616

Width: 1849

Length: 4484

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2195

Minimum Kerbweight: 1620

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 60

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2100

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 575

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 530

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.8

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1525

Driving Mirrors

Body colour door mirrors

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Audi exclusive/customised paint

Panoramic glass sunroof

Special solid paint

Metallic paint

Interior Features

3 spoke leather multifunction plus steering wheel with gearshift paddles

Packs

Storage pack - Q3

Multi coloured extended ambient interior lighting pack - Q3

Driver assistance pack with audi side assist - Q3

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Progressive red

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Navarra blue

Metallic - Chronos grey

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arkona white

Paint - Special

Audi Exclusive - Custom

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Towing

Foldable tow bar

Trim - Leather

Twin leather - Black with rock grey stitching and dinamica microfibre stripes + front sport seats with S embossing

Twin leather - Rotor grey with Anthracite grey stitching and dinamica microfibre stripes + front sport seats with S embossing

Wheels - Alloy

20" 5 twin spoke rotor design audi sport matt black alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel and Tool kit and Jack