Road Test: The 2019 Audi Q3

Audi is on one of their biggest product offenses of all time. It kicked off with the launch of the new Audi RS4 Avant and RS5 Sportback, as well as the new Audi Q8, but the German manufacturer is shifting their focus from the high-end models to their top-sellers now. The first top-seller to be released into the market is the compact Audi Q3 SUV. We headed down to George in the Western Cape to drive one of the first models to arrive in the country.

Design

The new Audi Q3 borrows a great deal of styling inspiration from its bigger brother, the Audi Q8. If you look at the new Q3 next to its predecessor, you notice how much more ‘grown up’ it is. The shoulder line is more pronounced, extending from the headlights all the way to the taillights. Speaking of lights, Audi has designed the headlights and taillights to mirror each other, giving the side design a much needed element of symmetry. LED lights with dynamic indicators are fitted as standard across the range, while customers can equip their Q3’s with optional Matrix LED lights for an increased field of view and additional safety. The new single-frame octagonal grille is flanked by large air inlets on either side giving the front of the Audi Q3 a wider, more aggressive look. At the rear, the taillights are slimmer emphasizing the width of the SUV and a new boot spoiler gives the car a more dynamic pose.

Interior

The interior of the new Audi Q3 looks and feels a lot more premium thanks to the array of features borrowed straight from higher class cars. The cockpit looks and feels a lot more premium, especially now that a digital cockpit is now standard. Customers can also choose to upgrade the digital dash to the popular 10.25-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit that can toggle between the instrument cluster, navigation, media control and vehicle information. A new feature on the Audi Q3’s virtual cockpit is the ability to select one of three different ‘themes’ for the virtual cockpit, from classic, sport and dynamic modes, which use a different visual design on the digital dash. Audi has also added their Smartphone Interface as standard across the range, allowing buyers to access Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at no extra cost. Customers can also choose a bigger 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen available with the Virtual Cockpit Plus.

Performance

At launch there is only one engine available in the Audi Q3, which is the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that powers the 35TFSI model. The unit produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque and sends it all to the front wheels through a 6-speed S-tronic automatic transmission. It was interesting to discover that launch control is indeed available on the Q3, launching it from 0-100km/h in 8.9-seconds before reaching its top speed of 204km/h. This may not look like a lot on paper, but the Q3 really surprised me. At no point do you ever really feel that power is lacking, although the engine does get a bit whiny past the 140km/h mark. Audi claims that the Q3 will do 5.0-litres/100km but no matter how hard I tried, I always ended up at between 8.0-8.5-litres/100km.

During our time with it on national roads, the Audi Q3 proved to be a pleasant car to live with. It accelerates quick enough to overtake and the handling was even better. The Audi Q3 was also good at tackling dirt roads, mostly thanks to the sensible tyres that come equipped on it. You can really feel that Audi is investing time and effort into reducing the understeer of their cars and the Q3 is a prime example of this.

Road Tests