While it certainly shared the brand’s signature DNA from a design and marketing perspective, it failed to gain the same sort of popularity as its larger Q5 sibling did, within its segment. This was largely due to the sales success of the cheaper Volkswagen Tiguan with which it shared its mechanicals and many other components.
Now though, there’s a new Q3, which again shares its platform and oily bits with the new Tiguan. I travelled all the way to Italy to drive it recently ahead of its international debut in November and indeed, its local debut scheduled for the second quarter of 2019.
Design details
As the car that helped launch the premium compact SUV segment, the latest Q3 certainly had to step-up its game up in terms of exterior design with stylish rivals such as the Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo XC40 and BMW X1 to compete with.
Up front, there’s the now signature octagonal grille reserved for Audi’s Q-models, while the shapely LED headlamps compliment the more angular air intakes for a front-end that it far sportier than its predecessor.
The side profile is less dramatic and in many ways resembles the larger Q5, besides the shoulder line which sweeps up towards the C-pillar section. The rear-end looks neat, with LED taillamps and dual integrated exhaust outlets.
Overall, the exterior is well executed and clinical, in typical Audi fashion, but the vehicle certainly needs to be specified with the larger alloy wheels in order to look its best.
Interior digitised
Perhaps the biggest departure from the previous Q3 is the newcomer’s interior. Gone are the analogue instruments and in their place, digital readouts in the form of the (optional) 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Display system.
Beside the instrument cluster sits the 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and traffic sign information, which can be specified to include Audi Connect Navigation and MMI plus with Google Earth and voice control.
The rest of the interior also impressed, with an increased emphasis on design that in many ways, reminded me of the Lamborghini Urus. The door handles, pull levers and steering wheel along with many of the dashboard inserts and small design details are angular and beautifully shaped, and certainly distinguish the Q3 from other Volkswagen Group products that ride on the MQB platform.
In terms of space, the latest model is certainly more practical, with more room for occupants at the rear and a larger 530-litre boot, making it more capacious than the Q2, which made the previous Q3 appear dated and rather cramped upon its introduction.
Driving Q3
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, so when presented with an opportunity to drive through the twisty mountain roads of Bolzano, my colleague and I hopped into a Q3 1.5 TFSI first.
Immediately, we were less than impressed with this engine and despite the S tronic gearbox doing its level best, engine response, sound and performance was lacking. Luckily, Audi South Africa has hinted that the 110kW/250Nm 1.4 TFSI would make it into the Q3 instead of this 1.5.
Next up, we tried the 169kW/350Nm 2.0 TFSI which made a massive difference to the driving experience. With acceptable response, great in-gear performance and more effortless progress, this motor better suits a premium SUV. Audi South Africa is yet to confirm this engine, but also alluded to the fact that that a 132kW version of this motor could be offered.
I was unable to drive the turbodiesel variant at launch, but the test cars were all equipped with six-speed manual gearboxes, which are unlikely to reach South Africa. What Audi South Arica did confirm though was that an 110kW/340Nm 2.0 TDI with the seven-speed S tronic gearbox will be coming to South Africa.
Verdict
Having sampled two Q3 variants, the general impression is positive; the ride quality, refinement and premium attributes one would expect from the brand are all intact and are certainly a massive leap forward versus the older model. In terms of practicality, the Q3 offers Tiguan-like space, but adds another level of sophistication to the package.
