Audi Q3 review

It’s Audi’s fourth-largest seller in Britain, rejigged and rejuvenated for its third generation. Surprised it’s not the firm’s biggest hit here? Us too – the blighters seem to be everywhere – but the A3, Q4 and A1 currently pip it to the podium.

Still, it’s a ginormous deal, not least when the mid-size crossover market is being so exhaustively assaulted by new Chinese brands. Several each week, it feels like. While Audi ought to occupy the premium seating looking down on the mainstream bloodshed, the Q3 may still be in danger of having its heels nipped at by the Jaecoos of this world. Not to mention more traditional rivals like the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. Plus the Cupra Terramar with which it shares its factory, powertrains and wheelbase...

No wonder this mk3 massively ramps up the visual drama, then. By chance, we pulled up alongside the outgoing Q3 at traffic lights in the first moments of driving this new one. Its previously chiselled looks appeared dowdy beside its replacement; there’s a lot going on, what with its bold, singleframe grille, squinting LEDs (more on those in a sec) and split taillight design.

It has confidence, alright, as well as a muscular stance more reminiscent of the Q-models above it. It’s still pretty compact, at 4.5m long, but has the air of the larger Q5 about its design. What the future of Audi SUV design holds off the back of the minimalist Audi Concept C, we don’t yet know…

Looks like the interior isn’t minimalist.

Nope, that concept’s dinky screen philosophy feels a million miles from the new Q3, which – in Audi’s words – brings large-car tech to a smaller footprint.

A vast curved panoramic display combines an 11.9in instrument cluster and 12.8in central touchscreen that runs on Android and incorporates AI. Behind the wheel is a new concept of indicating, windscreen wiping and gear selecting, traditional stalks making way for stubbier buttons. Visually, the set up looks a bit blunt and clunky, but it feels more satisfying on the move – even if it’ll take a few goes to properly get your head around.

Those new lights we discussed? Micro LED technology up front calls upon 25,600 hair-width bulbs to carve out patterns in the light beams you cast ahead. They work together with your indication (or lack thereof) to warn you of blind-spot dangers during late-night driving – or help keep you between the white lines on dark, wending country lanes.

Too bad the technology is flummoxed by too much rain, not least when the car was launched in autumnal Scotland. Audi’s always liked its lighting gimmicks but this one doesn’t feel much beyond a fun talking point so far. You’ll get more satisfaction from the choreographed dances the LEDs do as you approach or walk away from the car.

Enough lighting. What about power?

There’s tonnes of choice, none of it fully electric. The Audi Q4 e-tron is clearly doing a pretty good job of hoovering up demand there. You’ve the option instead of pure petrols, a plug-in hybrid and even – gasp! – a diesel. They’re either front or four-wheel drive but all deploy an automatic gearbox; cupholders and a ventilated wireless charging pad have leapt into the space a gear lever would previously have occupied. Just like a Terramar, Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tiguan, then, with the same powertrain options. Only everything’s a bit plusher and techier in here.

A 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol kicks the range off at £38,800. It deploys mild-hybrid and cylinder-on-demand tech to eke out efficiency, combining 148bhp power and a 9.1-second dash to 62mph with mid-40s mpg.

Above that sit two 2.0-litre petrols, both of which have a Quattro badge to signify 4WD. They offer 201 or 261bhp (the latter being what you’ll find in the sportily badged Skoda Kodiaq vRS or, indeed, a base VW Golf GTI for 0-62mph in either 7.1 or 5.7s. The perkier car even nudges 150mph.

But I care about running costs…

Then perhaps you’ll favour the plug-in hybrid. It pairs a slightly uprated version of that base 1.5-litre engine with an 114bhp e-motor for a 268bhp total – plus an official claim of 134mpg+ and CO2 emissions as low as 39g/km to dance triumphantly into generous Benefit-in-kind (BIK) rates, assisted by its 73 miles of claimed e-range when its 19.7kWh battery is fully topped up – something you can do at 50kW on a rapid public charger.

It’s front-wheel drive, as is the sole diesel on offer in Britain, a 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI with 52mpg claims and some easily exploited torque (and thus real-world performance). Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it – diesel ain’t dead just yet.

Audi has launched regular SUV and swoopier Sportback versions simultaneously, the latter (pictured in blue) bringing a lower roofline and a smidge less boot space for a £1,500 premium. There are no dynamic changes; you’ll be choosing it on looks alone. Small wonder UK sales are typically split 60/40 in the more conventional car’s favour.

But whichever version you choose, it hits all the Audi SUV notes with near perfection. Easy to drive with just enough sporting nous, and strong perceived quality inside (even if it’s a mite downgraded over the larger cars). If you’re an existing Audi Q-car driver, you’ll step merrily into this without breaking stride – despite its flashy tech and weird indicator stalk.

The new Q3 nails everything an Audi SUV should be: comfy interior, tidy if uninvolving dynamics, and a generous choice of engines and power sources. If you’re stepping across from its predecessor (or even downsizing from an old Q5 or 7) it’ll coddle you immediately. 

What it stops short of is inspiration or excitement – but then we reckon you knew that going in. The design is bolder and more extrovert than before, and its screens much larger. But the basics beneath them haven’t much altered – it’s a trim ‘n’ tidy up rather than a whole new hairdo. Q3 gen3 is a solid, safe bet amid a compact SUV market undergoing something of a revolution.