Q3 Sportback vs UX
With SUVs now so popular, you’ll need a coupé-SUV to stand out, but which is the better, Audi or Lexus?
THE current SUV craze happened partly because styleconscious buyers were looking to stand out from the crowd. But now most manufacturers offer these higherriding models, and that has meant that buyers are looking for the next niche: the coupé-SUV.
The Audi Q3 Sportback fulfils the brief nicely, combining conventional SUV practicality with coupé-like styling. But that puts it in direct competition with one of our favourite compact, coupé-like crossovers (and a previous road test winner in this magazine): the Lexus UX.
Practicality and value are important considerations here, but it’s also a battle between diesel and petrol hybrid. So we’ll see how these two cars compare for economy – yet another front where this fight will be won.
LIKE many of Audi’s cars, this Q3 Sportback is based on the brand’s MQB scalable platform. Its versatility is highlighted by the fact that this architecture also underpins rapid sports cars like the TT RS in the brand’s line-up.
This car isn’t quite so racy, but all Q3 Sportbacks do get sports suspension, progressive steering and the Audi drive select system as standard. However, this sleeker model doesn’t drive all that differently to the standard Q3, with these features present on the Sportback – which, of course, is no bad thing.
The steering is a good weight in the default mode, but there’s little feel. It is nicely precise and responds well to inputs, though. The ride is generally fine as well, although on our car’s 19-inch wheels the suspension occasionally seemed unable to keep up, with sharper bumps felt in the cabin. Most of the time, however, on the motorway and sweeping roads, the Q3 was comfortable.
The engine is punchy enough, too, with the 2.0-litre TDI producing 148bhp and 340Nm of torque. The former figure is less than in the Lexus, but the Audi’s engine’s effortless torque means in-gear performance is smooth and easy. However, its 9.5-second 0-60mph sprint felt adequate but not particularly rapid. This was 1.5 seconds slower than the Lexus, partly due to less power and the Q3’s need for gearchanges compared with the seamless UX.
There are some negatives, because the Audi is far from quiet – but in a different way from the Lexus. The Q3’s diesel rattle is present more of the time than the drone from the UX ’s powertrain, which is only really intrusive at higher revs when you need more acceleration, and at full throttle.
The Q3’s dual-clutch box isn’t perfect either. Neither transmission set-up from the cars in this test is, but when manoeuvring, the clutch take-up can be a little abrupt, while the box holds onto gears for a fraction too long. At least the shifts are smooth in auto and snappy in manual.
The Sportback is 16mm longer than the standard Q3 and sits 49mm lower, and its silhouette is definitely sleeker as a result. To back up the style, there’s plenty of equipment in S line trim. Halfleather sports seats, LED headlights, climate and cruise control, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10. 25-inch digital dash, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, some solid safety systems and parking sensors are all included. The quality of a few of the materials lower down in the cabin is a bit suspect, though, while the design is also bland in places. Still, the majority of the interior is interesting to look at and well built.