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Audi Q3 2.0 TDI and TFSI road test

Audi’s first SUV was the abnormally large and intimidating Q7. Then came the smaller and more sensible Q5, and now follows the still smaller and more affordable Q3. Arguably the best looking of the three, the new Q3 is billed as a compact premium SUV and offers style and practicality with some off-road ability.

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Performance

The Q3’s engine range consists of four 4cyl engines: two 2.0 TFSI petrols and two 2.0 TDIs. The TFSI quattros have either 170PS with a 6-speed manual or 211PS with 7-sp S tronic transmission. The TDIs are available either with 140PS, a 6-speed manual and front-wheel-drive, or 177PS with the 7-sp S tronic and quattro. I drove a 170PS TFSI first and was immediately impressed with the engine’s strength and the S tronic’s responsiveness. Not surprising really as 0-62mph is dispensed with in just 6.9 secs with a 143mph top speed. Although not quite as rapid on paper (0-62 in 8.2secs, 132mph max), the 177PS TDI has even more torque – 380Nm (280lb/ft) – and so tackles the steepest of gradients without even drawing breath.

Ride & Handling

On standard suspension the Q3 TDI rides and handles very well. The lumps and bumps of moorland B-roads are smoothed out well, and although you don’t exactly experience a magic carpet ride on such roads, (which would be asking a lot), the Q3 feels safe, secure and well controlled. Additionally, the steering is taut and there’s minimal body roll during fast cornering. The TFSI I drove was equipped with optional electronic damper control (£680) and Audi Drive Select (£220) with four driving modes governing the engine, transmission and steering. It too is impressive, although whether this kit is worth an extra £900 is debateable.

Build Quality & Reliability

Being so new the Q3 hasn’t been the subject of customer surveys yet, but, as you may have correctly assumed, the Q3 is loosely based on the current A3 and so that’ll have to do! From the 108 models in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, the A3 came 32nd equal with 81.3% against an industry average of 79.4%. As a brand, Audi came 8th out of 28 with 81% against an industry average of 79.4%. In the survey’s Small Family Car section the A3 came 6th equal out of 18 with 81.3% and 4 out of 5 stars. After just a few hours with the Q3 it’s effectively impossible to find fault.

Safety & Security

Euro NCAP has just published its crash test findings for the Q3 and it achieves the full 5 stars overall. This includes 94% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child protection, 52% (pedestrian) and 86% (safety assist). Standard safety features on all Q3 models includes a new and specially tailored ESP system (inc ABS, EBD, ASR and EDL), front, side and head airbags for driver and front passenger, light and rain sensors and rear parking sensors. Available options include Active Lane Assist (£450), a variety of parking assistance systems (£500 on the TFSI I drove) and tyre pressure monitoring (£85), while standard security measures include remote central locking with a Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

Space & Practicality

Audi is proud of the Q3’s interior proportions, which presumably is why the very first sentence of its media blurb says that it “combines deceptively modest urban proportions with 1,365 litres of storage capacity”. With rear seats upright that figure drops to a reasonable 460 litres, although without its “flowing, coupé-like roofline that quickly begins sloping downwards” there would doubtless have been more room for bulky or awkwardly-shaped objects. So, the stylish Q3 is not a load-lugger in the traditional sense, but there’s ample space for front seat passengers as well as more-than-adequate room and comfort in the rear for two adults.

Ownership & Value

Q3 OTR prices start at £24,560 (SE spec TDI) and rise to £31,360 (211 PS TFSI S tronic), but you can quite easily almost double those prices with options. For example: Glacier white paint (gloss white, not metallic or pearl) £525, nappa leather electric sports seats £2,415, Technology package (inc. good satnav) £1,495, Xenon headlamps £1,150, panoramic sunroof £1,100, Bose surround sound £690, and so the list goes on. Even a simple, old-tech self-dimming mirror is almost £300! Combined fuel consumption and CO2 goes from an impressive 54.3mpg and 137g/km, to 36.7mpg and 179g/km. The new Q3 may not have quite the impact of its trendy rival, the Range Rover Evoque, but it’s a fine car nonetheless. Just beware those pricey options.

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