What's this new car all about then?
Meet the 3rd-generation Audi Q3. It's a big deal for Audi New Zealand, because this compact-SUV is its bread-and-butter: still the biggest-selling model in the portfolio.
When we say "bread and butter", it's probably something like an artisan sourdough with krauterbutter, lightly toasted with avocado on top and served with a tumeric latte. It might be a compact SUV, but it's still a premium product.
It's been a while: 7 years since the 2nd-gen model was launched. And from the outside, it looks like this one has come of age. The Q3 has always been popular, but has it ever looked as cool? Previous models have erred towards "crouched" styling that's been a bit awkward, but this new one has a strong sense of proportion and some really bold styling detail.
It looks the part and stands proud next to the likes of the latest Q5, even if the company might have gone a bit giddy with the giant grille and all those holes up front. It's an Audi thing.
The Q3 arrives in three distinct models. The entry version has a 110kW/250Nm turbo-petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology and cylinder shutdown, enabling it to achieve 6.2l/100km under NZ's 3P-WLTP standard. It's a 7-speed dual-clutch (DSG) with front-drive.
The quattro (that's the Sage Green car pictured here) gets a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four, 7-speed DSG and all-wheel drive; the only new Q3 model to have it in fact. While the entry car is all about thrift, the quattro focuses on performance: 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds. It's also the only model you can order as either an SUV or Sportback.
The third Q3 on offer mixes things up a bit. The e-hybrid matches the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol to a 25.7kWh (19.7kWh usable) plug-in battery and electric motor, making 200kW but also achieving 1.8l/100km - as with all PHEVs, assuming you do a lot of charging. Electric range is an impressive 111km.
So the e-hybrid is more powerful than the quattro, but it's not faster because it's a lot heavier: 0-100km/h in 6.8sec. Front-drive-only, too. But it does kind of offer the best of both worlds. No, not the all-wheel drive; but other stuff.
Inside, the Q3 is a mixture of more-of-the-same and some radical change. Audi seems to be reclaiming its status as maker of impressive interiors, because our Q3 quattro test car had a real sense of quality and premium finish (as it should for nearly $100k). Plenty of touchy feely stuff, including what the company calls "Softwrap" finish that links the dashboard and door trims.
Only the quattro has leather/Dinamica upholstery elements and the more comprehensive ambient lighting package ("Pro" versus "Plus" for the other models).
As with other current-gen Audis, the 11.9-inch instrument cluster and 12.8in infotainment display are contained in one driver-centric curved frame, the idea being you can reach any part of it when you're seated.
The really big change is something quite small: the "steering wheel control unit" is a curved bar sitting on top of the steering column that now houses the gear selector on the right (freeing up space for storage and dual cupholders in the centre console), indicators on the left and wiper controls.
It's tempting to look at this as an example of being different for the sake of it: it takes some getting used to, especially the indicators (which don't protrude much) and the rather fiddly wiper controls.
But owners will get used to it, and presumably the concept is that you can operate everything by feel, without looking away from the road; for that reason the wipers are a blend of of push buttons and a rotary dial.
In amongst all the high tech, it's surprising how many familiar control-features there are. The Q3 still has the traditional-Audi row of chunky buttons on the console (although the drive-mode control is also a shortcut to an on-screen menu), the slightly fiddly adaptive-cruise steering column satellite control that Volkswagen Group products have had for decades, and even an old-school rotary control for the side mirrors.
We're guessing that's for the benefit of loyal Audi customers who appreciate some continuity amidst the constant change. We like it too.
How much is it?
The entry Q3 is $74,990, while the top quattro is $96,990 as an SUV or $99,990 in Sportback form, because we know that less cabin space has to cost more in the automotive world.
The e-hybrid sits in between the other two at $88,990, although it's closer to the base car: $8k more than the entry model but $14k less expensive than the quattro.
What's it like to drive?
The Q3 has come of age in dynamic terms, too. The quattro (the only model we've driven thus far) is not an out-and-out sporting SUV, nor would you expect it to be given its place in the Audi SUV hierachy. But it is super-quick in any driving environment, devastingly easy to pilot on demanding roads and relatively comfortable. Acoustic side glass (another first for the Q3, across the range) helps with refinement, too.
Selecting Dynamic mode livens things up immediately, although you don't necessarily get the hyperactive engine note and busy gearchanges of past sporty Audis. You do get some nice downshifts under braking from the DSG, though; like we said, this car is about combining brisk performance with ease of use... and a very measured amount of spice. And no, a new RSQ3 is not part of the product plan.
All Q3s have sports suspension with two-valve damper control, which sounds pretty fancy. Essentially, it allows separate management of compression and rebound, meaning improved ride quality and control.
The Q3 quattro still has a fairly firm edge to its ride (possibly too firm, given its more MOR character in other areas), but the body control is impressive on demanding backroads. We'll put the edgy ride down to the more aggressive footwear: it rides on 20-inch wheels with 40-profile tyres, compared to 19in/45-series on the e-hybrid and entry car. They look good though, right?
Lighting is an Audi thing and for the first time, digital matrix headlights are standard across the range. Night-time driving is a bit of treat: the beam is adjusted for other cars (wrapping around them as they approach) and the road conditions: indicate on the motorway and the headlights will illuminate the adjacent lane to guide you in, or shine a graphic on the taramc ahead to suggest an appropriate following distance.
It also works with the lane assist and can shine an arrow on the road to suggest you straighten up and fly right. It's hours of fun finding all the matrix functions.
It's truly practical tech, athough the startup light-show or the ability to choose from multiple daytime running light signatures might be enough to sell it to many consumers.
The quattro is the only model to get the full OLED light package at the rear, which includes an illuminated Audi logo. It's bright... really bright.
More party tricks: there's trained parking for all models, which can remember up to five manoeuvres and repeat them automatically (you can save and name them). This is partly pitched as something to help with tight garage/carport parking at home, although if our attempts are anything to go by it really requires a consistent environment (concrete-tastic parking building, for example) to operate at its best. It seems to struggle with surrounding hedges and trees.
Ditto for the reversing assistant, which is great in a carpark but didn't like a driveway with a hedge on one side and slightly off-camber surface. But the Audi system is not alone in that.
What’s the pick of the range?
If Audi means quattro to you, then it's got to be the 195kW as driven here, with the added dimension of it being the only model that can also be ordered as a Sportback. It's clear from the specification that Audi regards this as the hero Q3.
If you're not keen on the thirst (9l/100km is the official figure and even on a trip you're in the 8s) or do most of your driving in town, the e-hybrid is a good alternative: quick enough and a similar specification. But no quattro, remember.
The huge difference in focus and the huge difference in price between the trio of Q3 models means you'll be choosing on wants/needs and budget.
What other cars should I consider?
Let's be realistic: it's going to be the usual suspects from Germany's other big luxury brands. The Q3's arch rival is the BMW X3 ($99,400-$152,400, including a PHEV option) or if you want more of a coupe-style SUV, you might look at the smaller X2 ($92,900-$110,800).
Mercedes-Benz's GLA is more than a decade old now, so a whole generation and more behind the Q3. But there's still a wide model choice, incuding PHEV and AMG ($78,000-$115,000).
The Lexus NX offers a good choice of thrifty full-hybrid or performance-PHEV ($98,700-$116,600).
You also can't ignore the other Volkswagen Group models based on the same platform as the Q3... sticking to the top-end, of course. Both the VW Tiguan R-Line AWD ($84,490) and Cupra Terramar VZ ($81,900) are larger than the Q3 and share the quattro's 195kW engine.