The Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury CUV or crossover SUV, produced by the German manufacturer since 2011 in two generations. Set to compete with BMW X1, Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Yeti, Q3 offers an attractive design and compact exterior at the cost of practicality. Designed for an urban environment, it offers frugal engines with the SUV look, to become a viable, albeit more expensive alternative to hatchback and compact-sedan vehicles.
The First Generation (2011-2018)
What we know as the Audi Q3 today started as a concept vehicle designed by Julian Hoenig in 2006, the Audi Cross Coupé Quattro, with many aspects retained for the production phase. The official reveal happened at the Auto Shanghai event in 2011, with sales starting in June of the same year.
The VW Group A5 (PQ35) platform was used as the basis, shared with the VW Golf Mk5, VW Tiguan, Seat Tribu, and Skoda Yeti, along with many of the parts, as well as transmissions and engines. Assembly was done in the SEAT factory in Martorell, Spain, as well as China, India, and Brazil.
On the Euro NCAP test, Audi Q3 was tested with front and side airbags, as well as seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. It received a 5-star rating in Overall safety, with 94% and 34 points in Adult occupant safety, 85% and 42 points in Child occupant safety, 52% and 19 points in Pedestrian safety, and 86% and 6 points in Safety assist systems.
The facelift of 2014 brought visual features like chrome accents around the grille, larger air vents, new LED lights, and very subtle updates to the interior. Engine options received a boost in performance and efficiency, with the 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine now having an option to shut down cylinders to save fuel, while the 2.0L TFSI, as well as 2.0L TDI engines, received a boost in power. It received a smaller update in 2015 with slight changes to the front grille, lights, and fascia, while the features like the front and rear parking sensors became standard.
Worldwide, the Q3 came with SE, S Line, S Line Navigation, Sport, S Line Edition, Black Edition, and S Line Plus trim levels. Australian models deviate from the conventional packages, offering more features through the base package with the Sport trim being the only upgrade.
Base equipment on the Q3 includes a wide range of features, including the choice between the front and quattro drives plus the following:
Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic, 17-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Program, Fog Lights - Front, Head Airbags, Leather Steering Wheel, Leather Trim, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Mobile Phone Connectivity, Power Mirrors, Steering, and Windows, Rain Sensing Wipers, Side Airbags, Trip Computer, Traction Control System
With the 2014 facelift and subsequent 2015, more options joined the base package. Now it includes a 12-volt power outlet, AUX/USB input socket, Bluetooth, LED lights, leather-accented upholstery, multi-function control screen, parking distance control rear and front, paddle shifters and reversing camera.
The Sport trim level adds 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, rearview mirror with auto-dimming, scuff plates on door sills, and sports seats.
In Australia, the available powertrain options include:
- 1.4 TFSI, 1.4L Inline-Four turbocharged petrol engine producing 110kW (148hp) at 5000-6000rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1750-3000rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TFSI quattro, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged petrol engine producing 125kW (168hp) at 4300-6200rpm and 280Nm of torque at 1700-4200rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TFSI Sport quattro, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged petrol engine producing 132kW (178hp) at 4000-6200rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1400-3900rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TFSI quattro, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged petrol engine producing 155kW (208hp) at 5000-6200rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1800-4900rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TDI, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged common-rail diesel engine producing 103kW (138hp) at 4200rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox in the front-wheel-drive variant, or 7-speed automatic transmission with the quattro drive system and package
- 2.0 TDI quattro, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged common-rail diesel engine producing 130kW (175hp) at 4200rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TDI Sport quattro, 2.0L Inline-Four turbocharged common-rail diesel engine producing 135kW (181hp) at 3500-4000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1800-3250rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
The Second Generation (2018-present)
The current model comes in a standard 5-door crossover SUV variant, with the addition of 5-door coupé Sportback, which is slightly lower, narrower and longer than the standard model, further differentiated by side skirts, bumpers, and body cladding. Just like the standard Q3, its sportiness is in looks only, with neither engines nor handling tuned to satisfy the feel and standards of a sporty vehicle.
Available trim levels worldwide include Standard Trim, Sport, S-Line, Edition 1, Vorsprung, Audi Sport edition. The Australian market receives the Standard Trim with significant upgrades as standard and the Sport trim level.
Standard trim level includes: 12 Volt Power Outlet, Dual Front Airbags Package, Anti-lock Braking, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, Adjustable Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic, AUX/USB Input Socket, 17-Inch Alloy Wheels, Brake Assist, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Central Locking Remote Control, Daytime Running Lights - LED, Dusk Sensing Headlights, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Electronic Differential Lock, Electronic Stability Program, Fog Lights - Front, Head Airbags, Leather Accented Upholstery, Leather Steering Wheel, Multi-Function Control Screen, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Parking Distance Control Rear and Front, Paddle Shifters, Power Steering, Power Windows, Reversing Camera, Side Airbags, Spare Wheel - Space Saver/Temporary, Traction Control System, Xenon Headlights
Sport trim level adds: 18-inch alloy wheels, Leather upholstery, Rear View Mirror with Auto Dimming, Scuff Plates - On Door Sill, Power tailgate, Power Front Seats, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Sports seats
On the Euro NCAP test, the Q3 received an Overall safety rating of 5 stars, 95% and 36.2 points in Adult occupant safety, 86% and 42.5 points in Child occupant safety, 76% and 36.7 points in Pedestrian safety, and 85% and 11.1 points in Safety assist systems.
In Australia, the following powertrain options are currently available:
- 1.4 TFSI, 1.4L turbocharged Inline-Four petrol engine producing 110kW (148hp) at 5000-6000rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1500-3500rpm, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TFSI quattro Sport, 2.0L turbocharged Inline-Four petrol engine producing 132kW (178hp) at 4000-6200rpm and 320Nm of torque at 1400-3900rpm, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TDI quattro, 2.0L turbocharged Inline-Four common rail diesel engine producing 110kW (148hp) at 3500-4000rpm and 340Nm of torque at 1750-2800, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- 2.0 TDI quattro Sport, 2.0L turbocharged Inline-Four common rail diesel engine producing 135kW (181hp) at 3500-4000rpm and 380Nm of torque at 1800-3250, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
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Author: Luka Kusic