AUDI is one of those firms that has to be admired for its seemingly schizophrenic approach to product development. On the one hand, you have a carmaker with an almost pathological ability to churn out beautifully built if somewhat conservative saloons and hatchbacks in dizzying volumes. Yet, in the same company, you also see a tendency to merge automotive genres like some VW-backed version of Dr Frankenstein – except that, rather than running amok and chewing on innocent bystanders, Audi’s niche creations are often the firm’s best offerings (think R8, TT and A7 Sportback).
The Q3 is a further case in point. Audi’s marketers took the following simple observations: 1. People like stylish, well-built hatchbacks such as the A3; 2. People also like the pseudo-macho air of an SUV, but don’t always take well to the idea of threading such a beast through an urban environment.
So, Audi fused the two to create a compact crossover possessed of enough Bauhaus style and excellent material quality to please the former, while providing prominent plastic-clad wheel arches and ground clearance butchness in a manageable package that placates the latter. But, does this mixture of provisos bode well for the Q3?
From a styling perspective, there’s a lot to like about the Q3, particularly when finished in our test unit’s distinctive Samoa Orange paintwork and rolling on optional 18-inch alloys in a five-blade design. The overall design manages to mate rounded elements of the roofline, bonnet and prominent plastic-clad arches with angular shoulder creases, the now-signature framed grille and eye-catching LED-bordered headlamps that were fitted to our unit as an optional extra. Despite essentially being underpinned by the same PQ35 platform that forms the basis of the Volkswagen Golf and Audi TT, among others, the Q3 doesn’t look stubby or contrived in its execution; it neatly treads the cute/masculine line and thereby endears itself to a wide audience.
These underpinnings also translate into a reasonably roomy cabin with plenty of space for occupants up front and an adequate amount of knee- and headroom for those in the rear. The only negative is a shallow boot limited to 272 dm³ due to the rear’s sharply sloped profile. The load space can, however, be expanded to 1 024 dm³ by dropping the 60:40-split rear seatback.
The interior ambience, although dark, is about as reassuringly brushed-chrome-trimmed, rubberised and solidly executed as you’d expect from an Audi – it’s probably one of the company’s best efforts. The asymmetrical facia features a colour display that folds into its top edge and a neat interface that sees the rotary switch/shortcut-button interface for the optional MMI-based navigation system move from the centre console to the facia hangdown.
The driver’s seat, although supportive and serving up a driving position that sits neatly between lofty and in touch with the road, didn’t drop enough for the likings of some CAR testers, while others remarked that the steering wheel’s rake adjustment didn’t extend far enough to afford them a comfortable driving stance. Thankfully, the cabin is well insulated and does an excellent job of isolating its occupants from road and engine noise.
Not that there’s a great deal of noise to supress from the turbocharged and direct fuel-injected 2,0-litre petrol engine. Coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it goes about its business with little more than a muted woofle when coaxed. Despite its meek demeanour, this 125 kW unit is deceptively punchy; in our performance tests it despatched the zero-to-100 km/h run in 7,65 seconds. With 280 N.m peak torque band spanning 1 700 to 4 200 r/min, the Q3 takes care of overtaking in a fuss-free fashion, with the 100-120 km/h manoeuvre lasting just 3,4 seconds, while the 120-140 km/h run will have you staring at oncoming traffic for only 4,6 seconds. The dual-clutch transmission feels a bit reluctant off the mark but, once the speed picks up, it goes about swapping cogs smoothly.
Where the Q3 really impressed was its ability to neatly marry engaging dynamics with impressive ride quality and a modicum of off-road ability. On tar, the Q3 serves up a driving experience easily on par with upper-echelon hatchbacks. Driven hard, its has the reassuringly planted, slightly understeery feel similar to that of most compact all-wheel-drive Audis along with plentiful grip and surprisingly little body roll. The steering is weighty enough to be satisfying, but not overly demanding and responds crisply to inputs. What really impresses, however, is the ride. Where a short wheelbase, raised ride height and 18-inch alloys with low-profile rubber usually equate to a choppy ride in a vehicle of this ilk, the Q3’s MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension setup serves up a superb ride; pliant, well-damped and devoid of wallow.
Although the likelihood of a Q3 owner taking their car off-road is remote, the little Audi can capably negotiate terrain rougher than a dirt road. A quick clamber up a deeply scoured, rocky incline didn’t trouble it although, with just 170 mm of ground clearance to play with, progress on such surfaces must be made cautiously.
As with many manufacturers that offer a myriad options and models, the process of speccing an Audi such as the Q3 can be something of a minefield. Our test unit featured over R70 000-worth of extras, including sat-nav, PDC with camera and park assist, 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery and xenon/LED headlamps, pushing the price up to more than R492 000 – and that’s without cruise control, which is optional in this particular model. A skim through the pricing and options will see the similarly equipped 155 kW model undercut the as-tested 125 kW model, so be circumspect when ticking those options boxes. Even so, Audi insiders expect that demand will likely outstrip supply of what is a distinctive and appealing model, so if you’re in the market you’d better get your order in sharpish.
Test Summary
Audi has yet again produced an impressive niche model possessed of more character and a blend of refinement and satisfying dynamics than most of its crossover brethren. As with most of Audi’s niche models, it comes at a premium when specced up to even a moderate degree, but most people in the market for a premium compact crossover will be drawn to its appealing looks and exquisite finish. It could even cause pause for thought in those considering the soon-to-be-facelifted Q5.
