The Audi Q3 has been revamped for 2020, and it’s full of new technology and a sleek exterior that Audi hopes will catapult it to the top of the category.
It’s a small SUV so if there are five or less in your family, this size car will work for you, or it will fit four adults nicely.
I test drove the Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro which is in the middle of the range and costs from $53,900, putting it in competition with cars like the BMW X2 and the Mercedes GLA. Here’s how it did for this week’s family review.
Audi Q3 2020: 40 Tfsi Quattro
| Engine Type | Turbo 4, 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.2L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $41,470 - $48,840 |
| Safety Rating |
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How does it look?
The exterior looks sharp. It’s sporty but sophisticated with just the right amount of angles and curves to make it look fresh and modern. I think it’s one of the best looking SUVs out there.
It boasts a new grille but I think it’s the matte metallic trims around the grille and windows that really give it an edge.
Inside is particularly swish, thanks to the new digital cockpit behind the steering wheel that gives you a birds eye view of where you are in the landscape, as though you’re on Google maps and you have an aerial view of the surrounding area. Just don’t spend too much time with your eyes off the road looking at it.
The rest of the design is in typical Audi style which is clean and ultra modern with premium finishes - apart from the hard plastic areas around the centre console and on the door.
This model has leather-appointed seats which are also heated and it’s fitted with the 'Premium Pack' (an extra $2250) which means both front seats are power adjustable and heated.
Matching the exterior are the brushed aluminium trims through the interior which make it feel polished, and the whole cabin lights up at night which the kids loved. Both are also a part of the Premium Pack.
How spacious is it?
I always find small SUVs to be the perfect size for young children like mine, they can climb in easily and they’re happy in there. I wouldn’t be fitting a third child seat across the back unless you’re really desperate. You can fit three kids in, but three child seats is pushing it.
I’m comfortable back here at 161cm (5'3") and there’s loads of room between my knees and the seat in front of me, meaning taller adults and lanky teenagers will have loads of space, too. It won’t fit three tall people back there for long distances, although short distances are always fine.
The front has a good amount of leg and headroom and it doesn’t feel cramped, even the taller folks in my family could fit comfortably.
It boasts a large boot for this category which is a huge selling point for families, I know that I love a large boot but still want a smaller car, which is what this delivers. It’s 535L which makes it bigger than the BMW X2, Mercedes GLA or Lexus UX and is more like a mid-size SUV boot.
Double bonus: you can actually move the second row forward if you’ve got young children who don’t need a lot of legroom, and give more room to the boot taking the size up to 600L, which is huge and makes it a great car for going on road trips, too.
How does it drive?
The Q3 drives beautifully. It’s smooth and quiet on the road and the steering is really even, not heavy or light. There’s no heavy lag on take-off which is good considering this car does feel bigger than a small SUV on the inside.
There is a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine which means I could easily pass other cars going up the big hill near my house and it’s also a breeze to overtake on highways.
This model is an AWD, though it does come in a FWD version which costs less, if that’s what you’re after. I like AWD because it means better traction on wet or unstable roads.
Parking the car is good because it’s so compact; the size makes it easy. It’s also got a really high definition reverse parking camera and a 360-degree view camera which even my eight-year old thought was super handy. It’s a part of the Premium Package and with that you’ll also get park assist which parks the car for you.
How easy is it to use every day?
There is a fair amount of automation in the Q3 40 TFSI quattro, some of it thanks to the Premium Pack, like the power operated and heated front seats, some of it standard like the power operated tailgate.
It has two cupholders in the front, plus a Qi (chi) charger that works with my phone cover on (they never used to, now it’s so easy!) and you can fit keys in this space, too. There’s also a centre storage bin and bottle holders in all four doors.
Rear passengers get two cupholders and directional air vents which my children always appreciate in summer.
How safe is it?
The safety is all inclusive, which is great. You’ll find airbags for driver and front passenger, front side airbags, and then side curtain airbags for the front and second rows.
Advanced safety includes auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist with lane keep warning and rear cross traffic alert.
You’ll also get two ISOFIX points and three top tether points to fit kids car seats in safely. The Audi Q3 scored a full five ANCAP stars when it was tested in 2019.
What’s the tech like?
The tech is great - Apple CarPlay will connect with either your Bluetooth, a USB or Wi-Fi, and it has Android Auto as well. Both mean you can instantly access the main apps on your phone which makes navigating easier because you can use Google Maps.
You also get 'Audi Connect' as standard which has Bluetooth connectivity, a navigation system and Wi-Fi hotspot.
In this model there are six speakers as standard but as part of the Premium Package, that updates to 10 Bose speakers, so turn the sound up.
How much does it cost to own?
The Audi Q3 40 TFSI costs $53,990. Adding the Premium Pack ($2250) and metallic paint ($1250) increases that figure to $57,400. Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.0L/100km and I averaged 9.5L/100km with mostly suburban driving.
It's covered by Audi's three year/unlimited km warranty, which lags behind Genesis and Mercedes-Benz at five years/unlimited km, that pair in line with the mainstream market, which is now at five or seven years. Servicing is required every 12months/15,000km.
Verdict
The Audi Q3 really is a practical car in a stylish package. It fits a family of four nicely with great interior space and a cleverly large boot that can grow as you need it to - a big selling factor for families. It also drives beautifully and has great safety and technology.
I gave it a family rating of 8.4 out of 10 because I think it’s pretty good value at this end of the market. My kids gave it the same. They absolutely loved all the tech.
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