Audi Q3 Reviews

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The big German trio of prestige car makers continue to push down into the top ends of the affordable brands in an attempt to gain market share in attracting new buyers that may not have considered the premium badges in the past. PRICE AND FEATURES Audi has just launched a new entry-level Q3 quattro diesel that puts

The Audi line-up of sports utility vehicles has just been stretched with the addition of the Q3, a versatile premium compact that joins the queue as little brother to the Q5 and Q7.VALUEPricewise, at $54,500 the Q3 TDI quattro S Tronic is at the top end of the segment, with rivals such as the Hyundai ix35 Elite T/D, Kia Sportage TDI and Skoda Yeti 103TDI up to twenty grand cheaper. The difference to a great extent is made up by the degree and standard of fit-out.The Audi is very well equipped, with Bluetooth and audio streaming, rear view camera with guidelines, information system and multifunction leather steering wheel standard on all models.DESIGNAs a small(ish) SUV the Audi Q3 makes a big first impression, especially up front where an assertive stance is reinforced by Audi’s trademark tall radiator grille. It’s flanked by headlamps (with xenon lights as an option) and distinctive LED daytime running lights.The shape of these LED strips is repeated with the rear lights, again LED, just part of a sporty sign-off enhanced by twin exhaust tailpipes. In profile the Q3 follows the present-day shape common to many of this ilk – tall sides, bold wheel arches filled out by stylish 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low rolling resistance tyres, and with a roof that curves coupe-style to a wraparound rear tailgate.It’s a package that gives this vehicle an aerodynamic edge, with a non-SUV like drag coefficient of just Cd 0.32 to top the class in aerodynamic efficiency. The black paint job on the outside of the test car extended to the cabin interior, which featured black leather trim with dark brown inserts, the sombre feel being reinforced by dark brown leather seat upholstery.In time, however, the funereal finish became less creepy. The surroundings were also redeemed to some extent by a soft-touch dashboard surface surmounted by a seven-inch pop-up screen presenting full-colour sat-nav map and a suite of car system infoTECHNOLOGYOne of four 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines – two petrol, two diesel – on offer in the new Q3 range, our test vehicle’s powerplant combined direct fuel injection with turbocharging. It was mated with Audi’s seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission.With up to 130 kW on call, backed by 380 Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500 revs, this Q3 TDI is capable of hitting hit 100 km/h from rest in 8.2 seconds. Two shift modes are available – Drive and Sport – in ‘D’ the engine working as hard as possible at fuel saving low revs; while in ‘S’ the gears are held, changing up at higher revs.Fuel consumption on test hovered around five litres per 100 kilometres cruising on the open road at the legal speed limit - that’s hybrid territory – while in the city, with the stop/start facility in full swing, at times it ran out to twice that, the latter, as always, depending on traffic conditions and the driver’s mood.DRIVINGAn accomplished package, whatever work the car was put to the motor responded almost instantly to pedal pressure, the gearbox shifted cogs quickly and quietly in automatic or optional manual mode via a lever on the centre console. The auto in our Audi did not feature steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, which are an option.Power is put to ground via Audi’s tried and tested quattro all-wheel drive system that delivers optimal grip on the road through slip-free acceleration and directional stability even in slippery conditions.  The command driving position, thanks to comprehensive seat adjustment, is comfortable and gives good all-round visibility through expansive windows.Occupants of the test vehicle also enjoyed the benefit of Audi’s optional drive select system, which via a button on the centre console, allows the driver to choose how the vehicle should be driven. Choices are ‘Comfort’, ‘Auto’, ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Efficiency’, the last having all systems, including air-conditioning and cruise control working to deliver maximum fuel saving.The engine incorporates the latest stop/start feature which cuts power when the car is stationary. Some people say they find this fuel-saving technology annoying – the eerie silence and then the anxiety that, in the middle of heavy traffic, maybe the engine won’t start up on releasing the foot brake. You soon become accustomed to it and enjoy the feeling you’re doing something to improve the air we all breathe.VERDICTAudi says it is aiming the Q3 at what it calls ‘Urban Navigators’, young successful professionals, middle-aged couples and families who want an urban SUV that can be used for recreation, plus empty-nesters who lead an active lifestyle. It has much to offer in this context.MODEL RANGEQ3 2.0 TDI 2WD: $44,800 (manual)Q3 2.0 TDI quattro: $54,500 (automatic)Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro: $47,000 (manual)Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro: $48,950 (automatic)Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro: $56,000 (manual)

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.