2022 Audi Q3 Reviews

If there's one certainty in a vehicle market that doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, it's that SUV sales are going up.

Audi has added a third member of its ‘Q’ SUV family in Australia. The all-new Audi Q3 is smaller than its older brothers, the Q5 and Q7, but carries the same styling theme.Thus resulting in a ‘matched-luggage’ look with each car looking like a slightly enlarged version of the others as the numbers rise.DESIGNWhile this looks excellent when you see the Audi SUVs neatly arranged side by side, it resulted in a complete lack of notice by the general public. Normally on the drive program for a launch in Australia more than one bystander or fellow motorist will give the new vehicle a long and hard stare.Then probably point it out to others as we cruise past. Or call out to us at red lights and ask, “Is that the new (whatever)?” This is then followed by positive - occasionally negative - comments on the all-new model.With the Audi Q3 – nothing. Which must be a disappointment to the design team, because despite the obvious similarities between the new Q3 and the well established 5 and 7, the Q3 really does have a style of its own. An extremely pleasant style that we thoroughly enjoyed during the two-day media introduction in northern NSW and southern Queensland.Audi’s latest iteration of the trademark ‘single-frame’ grille works well and in conjunction with the slim headlights and sporty sub grilles creates a purposeful stance.The rear end is new Q3 is almost a hatchback rather than a station wagon. The roof slopes down for improved aerodynamics and the hatch has a sleek shape. However, the luggage area is incapable of carrying tall boxes if the rear seats are occupied, because the angle of the tailgate means its upper edge sits over the top of the seat backs.TECHNOLOGYPower for the new Audi Q3 comes from a quartet of 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. There are two turbo-petrol and a pair of turbo-diesel powerplants. The petrol units produce up to 125 kW or 155 kW of power and are quiet, smooth and reasonably economical. The diesels are rated at 103 kW and 130 kW and have characteristics almost as good as their petrol brothers.Though the ‘Q’ in the name of the Audi SUVs stands for ‘quattro’, Audi’s name for all-wheel-drive (AWD), the lowest priced Q3 achieves its $44,800 price tag by being driven only by the front wheels.Which won’t matter to most buyers as they have no plans to go off-road in the first place. However, these suburban dwellers looking for an upmarket trendy German SUV will be shocked to find the cheapest Audi Q3 only comes with a manual gearbox.DRIVINGAutomatics are offered in every other Q3 model and are seven-speed double-clutch units that we found worked well during our introductory drive stints.Handling is impressively good, all the more so when you remember these are family wagons not sports machines. We pushed several different variants of the Audi Q3 over sealed and unsealed roads and found them to have excellent grip. Grip that’s so good that there is little need for intervention from any of the electronic safety aids.The all-new Audi Q3 is a highly competent small-medium SUV that will appeal to many Australians shopping in this, the fastest growing area of our car market. Our feeling is that the Q3 is so good that it may well steal sales away from big brother Q5. Biggest brother, Audi Q7, is safe from internecine competition as its chief selling feature is the ability to carry seven people.The complete Audi Q3 model range is:Q3 2.0 TDI 103 kW: $44,800 (manual)Q3 2.0 TDI 130 kW quattro S tronic: $54,500 (automatic)Q3 2.0 TFSI 125 kW quattro: $47,000 (manual), $48,950 (automatic)Q3 2.0 TFSI 155 kW Quattro: $56,000 (manual)AUDI Q3Price: $44,800-$56,000Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmResale: N/AService intervals: 15,000kmSafety: Six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, TCCrash Rating: Five-starsEngines: 103kW/320Nm 2.0-turbodiesel four-cylinder, 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel,125kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 130kW/300Nm 2.0 turbo petrolTransmission: Six-speed manual, seven-speed auto, front-wheel and all-wheel driveBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: 4385mm (L), 1608mm (H), 1831mm (W), 2603mm (WB), 1571mm/1575mm tracks front/rearWeight: From 1445kgFuel use: 5.2L/100km, 137g/km CO2 (103kW); 5.9L/100km, 156g/km CO2 (130kW), 7.3L/100km,174g/km CO2 (125kW), 7.7L/100km, 179g/km CO2 (155kW)

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2012 Audi Q3.

Q3 is shaping up as a profitable one for Audi. The vehicle marks Audi's entry into the fastest growing segment of the Australian market - compact SUVs grew by 25 per cent last year - the Q3 may be late but it has the goods - and go - to give potential BMW X1 buyers cause to cross-shop and turn heads away from everything from Volkswagen Tiguans to Range Rover Evoques.VALUECompare the BMW X1 with the Audi Q3 and there's generally only a couple of grand difference in pricing. That puts the purchase squarely down to styling, features and badge credibility.Audi manages to get the first punch in by teaming a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with a manual gearbox to achieve a $44,800 starting price for a prestige SUV with 103kW/320Nm and fuel use of just 5.2 litres/100km, while BMW wins at the top end with the 150kW/400Nm twin-turbo mill that uses just 6.3 litres/100km. High-end audio systems, dual-zone airconditioning, Bluetooth and cruise control are standard fare on both vehicles.TECHNOLOGYThe electronic wizardry is in the options list but it still shows how quickly smart features now flow through a marque's line-up. Tick a box and lane departure and blind spot warning systems are loaded up.A park assist feature will also steer the car into a vacant space, though the driver is still responsible for using the accelerator/brake. The "drive select" software is worth $350 and lets drivers choose four modes, from efficiency to dynamic.DESIGNBuy the Q3 and all the neighbours will know it's an Audi - the family DNA runs true inside and out. The vertical grille that identifies all Audi Q models dominates the front, while the slim horizontal rear lights closely resemble the Q5's rear. Side-on, it is the sportiest-looking of the Q range, with what chief external designer Achim Badstuebner calls a coupe-style look. He admits it compromises rear head space but says the compact prestige segment still calls for a premium on style and this was one compromise the designers won on. The interior looks good and the front seats hold their occupants well despite the flat look.SAFETYThis is a high-rider without threatening to succumb to gravity and topple over. Actually, it's more a mid-height drive and that helps with the sporty look. It rides on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan and Golf - neither of which are known as bad-handling vehicles. Audi endows that platform with a suspension that rolls over potholes and patches without a shudder.Press on and it minimises body lean and only a rare kickback through the steering wheel betrays you are hitting decent sized ridges at pace. Six airbags and an advanced ABS/ESC system earned it a five-star Euro NCAP rating.DRIVINGThe Q3 puts a smile on your face. The commanding ride height is going to find favour given it has little affect on handling well past the extent SUV drivers expect their vehicles to perform.The base front-wheel drive turbodiesel has a 0-100km/h time of 9.9 seconds and a much more practical mid-range urge that is easily found via the six-speed manual. The engines only get better from there - and pick up the reassurance of Audi's all-wheel drive system. Wind noise is all-but unheard at highway speeds but choosing the 18-inch rims over the standard 17s will increase tyre roar on coarse chip surfaces. It is typically well built, though one of the five test cars had a rattle where the aircon controls module joined the dash. Frustrating, but it gives the dealer something to do at the next service.VERDICTThe Q3 may be late to the party but it should prove to be a leading light. Its style and handling will resonate with modern urban types and the basic kit is worth the expense. An added bonus is the Audi also has more off-road capability than the 30-somethings, young couples and empty nesters expected to be its main buyers are ever likely to use.Audi Q3Price: $44,800-$56,000Warranty: Three years/unlimited kmResale: N/AService intervals: 15,000kmSafety: Six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, TCCrash Rating: Five-starsEngines: 103kW/320Nm 2.0-turbodiesel four-cylinder, 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel,125kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol, 155kW/300Nm 2.0 turbo petrolTransmission: Six-speed manual, seven-speed auto, front-wheel and all-wheel driveBody: Five-door wagonDimensions: 4385mm (L), 1608mm (H), 1831mm (W), 2603mm (WB), 1571mm/1575mm tracks front/rearWeight: From 1445kgFuel use: 5.2L/100km, 137g/km CO2 (103kW); 5.9L/100km, 156g/km CO2 (130kW), 7.3L/100km,174g/km CO2 (125kW), 7.7L/100km, 179g/km CO2 (155kW)

BMW's X1 isn't going to have the compact, premium SUV segment all to itself with the imminent arrival of Audi's striking new Q3, a stablemate to Q5 and Q7.

Don't suggest the Audi Q3 is an expensive VW Tiguan. Audi doesn't like it.