Audi Q3 buyer’s guide
FROM £12,000 Premium compact SUV isn’t cheap, but it’s a fine buy
How classy small SUV can be yours from £12,000
WHEN Audi launched the Q3 at the end of 2011, it couldn’t really fail. The Q7 and Q5 were hits with buyers, and with premium compact SUVS all the rage it was clear from the outset that the Q3 would be another success for the brand.
Offered with petrol or diesel engines and in most cases with a choice of front or four-wheel drive and manual or automatic gearboxes, the car provided something for everyone. However, as the smallest SUV in Audi’s stable, the Q3 isn’t especially roomy inside and it’s strictly a five-seater as a result.
But with plenty of luxurious options and the availability of a super-quick, high-performance RS edition, small certainly doesn’t mean compromised.
History
THE Q3 arrived in November 2011 with a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine in 168bhp or 208bhp forms, or a 175bhp 2.0 TDI diesel. The latter two engines were
offered with Audi’s S tronic dualclutch automatic transmission.
By July 2012 there was a 138bhp 2.0 TDI 140; 18 months later a frontwheel-drive 1.4 TFSI appeared and Q3 quattros got an S line Plus trim option.
The RS Q3 arrived in February 2014 with a 306bhp 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine (boosted to 335bhp in January 2015), then in April 2015 a facelifted Q3 was launched with a redesigned front end, more standard kit and lower CO2 emissions. The 2.0 TFSI’S peak power rose to 177bhp, while the 2.0 TDI was offered in 148bhp and 181bhp forms.
Which one?
NONE of the engines or transmissions is poor, but the 1.4 TFSI has front-wheel drive and the 2.0 TDI 140/150 can be front or four-wheel drive; all other engines get quattro AWD as standard.
Some Q3s have more options fitted than others, so work out exactly what you’re buying. But cars without a lot of
options aren’t exactly spartan; even the entry-level SE has 17-inch alloys, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, a 6.5-inch multimedia screen, electric windows all round, automatic lights and wipers, and rear parking sensors.
S line spec adds sports seats, 18-inch alloys, sportier suspension, xenon lights and racier trim, while S line Plus (from April 2015) features 19-inch alloys, upgraded multimedia, cruise control, and parking sensors front and rear.
Alternatives
THE MINI Clubman isn’t an obvious rival, but it is worth considering thanks to its efficient engines, excellent build quality and distinctive design.
A more direct alternative is the Range Rover Evoque; it’s easy to recommend because of its sharp design, although reliability can be patchy. BMW’S X1 is well made and good to drive; just try to stretch to a Mk2 from 2015, because it’s far better than the Mk1 model. Also
consider the Volkswagen Tiguan. As with the Q3, it isn’t especially exciting, but it is very good at what it does. More fun is the Mazda CX-5, which also offers great value – much like the Ford Kuga.
Verdict
IF you’re an enthusiast the Q3 won’t excite you with its typical Audi design inside and out, along with its typical Audi driving experience. But while nothing about this compact SUV is particularly inspiring, the Q3 is a car that’s easy to drive and live with.
At a time of huge market uncertainty, it helps that many Q3s have a choice of zesty and efficient petrol engines, from mild to wild. But for ultimate fuel economy you need to get a 2.0-litre diesel; when we ran one we averaged 40mpg, despite it being fitted with an automatic gearbox and undertaking lots of urban driving.
So while the Q3 isn’t the cheapest car to buy, the low running costs help to offset the initial expenditure.