Test bench | Audi Q3: the favorite model

In the Audi showroom, one dreams of an RS6 Avant or an RS e-tron GT. But in the end, the vast majority of visitors leave the establishment at the wheel of a Q3…

Eric LeFrancois
special cooperation

Be careful not to fall asleep on your laurels

The Q3 is the best-selling Audi in the country after the Q5. Demand often outstrips supply for this entry-level SUV, which in 2022 returns virtually unchanged. Some fans of the firm with the rings will no doubt regret the absence of the Sportback version recently introduced on the European market, but Audi is in no hurry, the competition is (far) behind.

The air of nothing, the segment of urban luxury utilities is gaining altitude. The competition is always sparse, but Audi doesn’t care. The firm with the rings comfortably occupies the first place, far, far ahead of its rivals. Renewed just three years ago, the Q3 does not have to worry. In the eyes of many consumers, it embodies a form of archetype.

Like all Audis, the Q3 is not only well packaged. It is rewarding. The Alcantara coverings ($200), the luminous stripe (30 colors to choose from) around the seats, the finely grooved edge of the knobs and the very studied “click” they emit with each passage of a notch flatter the senses. In terms of connectivity, Audi is a hit with multiple and intuitive functions. That said, all these refinements, these attentions to detail cannot overshadow the presence of hard plastics, however.

Up front, the seats provide impeccable comfort and support, and the easy-to-find driving position helps blend in with the vehicle. In the back, the narrowness of the doors makes getting in and out a bit more difficult. Apart from this gymnastics, once the buttocks are placed on the bench, we appreciate that the seats are climbed on rails. This makes it possible to modulate the space according to the physiognomy of the occupants or the volume required in the boot. The latter, also accessible by a tailgate with clear shapes, displays not only great versatility – the backrests tilt and fold down in three parts – but also a volume greater than that of its rivals in the same category.

The middle

If the quality of execution is always a reference, this Q3 struggles however to stand out so frankly from the competition from a dynamic point of view. Especially if the buyer stops his choice on the entry-level model responding to the denomination 40. This one (38 650 $) suffers from a significant power and torque deficit compared to other European luxury urban utilities, with the exception of the Volvo XC40 T4. Even more embarrassing, the Q3 is, in terms of pure performance, towed by a Mazda CX-30…

With an acceleration time of some 9 seconds, this 184 hp engine does not quite correspond to the motto “Vorsprung durch Technik” (Advance through technology) promulgated by the brand with the rings.

Unless you want to favor appearance over appearance, it is better to go for the 45 version, which entails an additional cost of up to $3,100 depending on the livery. This one, with an additional 44 hp, provides a more lively thrust, more energetic pick-ups at the cost of fuel consumption, it is true, higher by around 10%. The good news, since there is one, the use of ordinary fuel is not prohibited.

The beast has calmed down

That said, this 2 L no longer has the flexibility that we knew. You have to climb to 4100 rpm (3500 rpm for the 184 hp version) to extract the maximum torque, whereas in the past, less than 2000 rpm was enough. In addition, the staging of the 8-speed automatic gearbox naturally favors economy to the detriment of performance. Moreover, not to think too much about it (to the performance), the Q3 deprives itself of pallets at the wheel, inviting rather to play the lever. On this subject, so that it is not engaged accidentally, the cursor for the manual passage should be on the left and not on the right.

On a holey, cracked or bumpy road, this Audi defends itself rather firmly. The running gear and the 19-inch wheels take the hits, sometimes vibrate and only regain their composure once the bitumen is evenly coated with asphalt. The Q3 recovers its good mood, but does not provide a road feel as sporty as a BMW X1, for example.

The well-weighted, variable-ratio steering makes it easy to negotiate curves, but the body roll shakes confidence and the Q3 proves to be less nimble than its size suggests. The reactive-type all-wheel drive (standard) ensures effective traction and reduces the understeer (tendency to pull straight) that occurs as soon as the Q3 takes a winding course at a good pace.

Technical sheet

Engine(s)

• 40: Turbocharged 2.0L L4 DOHC, 184 hp @ 4800 rpm, 221 lb-ft of torque @ 3500 rpm
• 45: Turbocharged 2.0L DOHC L4, 228 hp @ 6000 rpm, 258 lb-ft of torque @ 4100 rpm

Performance

• Weight: 1829 kg
• 0-100km/h: 9.1s (40), 7.3s (45)
• Maximum towing capacity: 998 kg

Gearbox

• Standard: 8-speed automatic
• Optional: none
• Drive mode: all-wheel drive

Tires

• 215/65R17 (standard on Q3 40)
• 235/55R18 (standard on Q3 45)
• 235/50R19 (optional on the whole range)

Tank capacity, gasoline recommended

Consumption

Dimensions

• Wheelbase: 2680mm
• Length: 4484mm
• Height: 1616mm
• Width: 1856 mm (exterior mirrors excluded)

Evolution for others

One thing is certain, the Q3 does not rest on its laurels outside our borders. After the release of the Sportback and RS versions, Audi has recently started marketing a rechargeable hybrid engine. It pairs a 1.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 13 kWh battery. A tandem that allows an electric range of 50 km, but deprives the vehicle of its all-wheel drive. This probably largely explains its absence from our market.

Temporary, but more intuitive

Like the A3 sedan (our photo) from which it derives quite closely, the Q3 uses temporary all-wheel drive. This means that in normal times, on a dry road, the Q3 behaves like traction. It is only when the vehicle detects a loss of grip at the front wheels that some of the power is sent to the rear wheels. The principle is the same, but the fifth generation device is more proactive and intervenes more predictively than before.

The opinion of the owners

Pleasure found

After 2000 km with my Audi Q3 45 TFSI Progressiv 2022 S-Line, here are my comments. I’ve had two other Audis before (Q5 TDI 2015 and Q5 2018) and this current Q3 is really perfect. Less cumbersome than my previous vehicles, the Q3 is more maneuverable and more fun to drive. Impeccable handling, appropriate power, comfort, driving position, soundproofing, layout of the meters and use of the various controls and infotainment, everything is beyond my expectations. I don’t feel like I have a “smaller” vehicle or one with less interior space. Besides, my big bag of goalie gear fits just as well in this vehicle as in my previous Q5.

Mark B.

Frequent visits to the dealership

I like my Q3 2019, but I was very disappointed with its reliability. Window opening problem, stuck gear lever, etc. But the main problem is the sunroof which leaked profusely on numerous occasions.

Michael B.

Mixed results

I have been renting a 2021 Q3 since November 2020 (14 months) and have driven 18,000 km since then, including a trip to Labrador and Newfoundland. For me, its strong points are: very well thought-out interior, impeccable Audi quality, spacious, flawless ergonomics, the virtual cockpit is very useful, easy navigation. The exterior dimensions are decent, the acceleration satisfactory, the handling lively, the road holding satisfactory. Mechanically very reliable to date. Its weak points: sound engine, noisy undercarriage, mediocre fuel economy, worse than my 2018 Q5, no memory seat, no head-up display, autonomy not exceeding 500 km. In short, pleasant to drive despite its small flaws.

Mark G.

Better for less

I had a 2019 Crosstrek Limited on lease. I wanted to spoil myself by renting a Q3 with S-line package, which costs around $55,000. For this price, you get a good level of equipment, the engine of a GTI, but no heated steering wheel or remote start. Driving is dynamic, certainly, and the engine really pleasant, but considering the weight of the vehicle, the pleasure of this turbo must be better exploited in the GTI. The interior is well designed, the digital cockpit is impressive. The look of the vehicle is also really great. But beyond those few qualities, I had more equipment and better all-wheel drive in the Subaru for $20,000 less. Question of priority. Looking back, for the asking price, I expected to be more impressed. So I changed the Q3 after a year, for an Impreza Sport-Tech. It is more equipped, more fuel-efficient, enormously less expensive, and for navigating around town, it is still fun to drive.

Jean-Francois B.