The third-generation Audi Q3 recently joined the local market with a striking new design, comprehensively revised cabin, and a choice of petrol and diesel powertrains. We recently spent a week with the sleek Q3 Sportback TDI S line to see how it fares in the realities of everyday driving.
The Audi Q3 has been an important part of the German manufacturer’s SUV portfolio since arriving locally in 2012. Now in its third generation, it enters a premium compact SUV segment considerably more crowded than the one its predecessor occupied, with traditional German rivals joined by an increasing number of well-equipped newcomers.
There is certainly no mistaking the new model for the old one. The wider Singleframe grille dominates the front, accompanied by slimmer lighting elements and more pronounced surfaces that give the Q3 a bolder appearance. Audi’s latest design language may take some getting used to, but spend enough time around it and the finer details begin to make sense.
The Sportback adds a sloping roofline for a sportier profile, while the S line treatment introduces body-coloured lower exterior detailing and smart 19” five-arm Platinum Grey alloys. From the side and rear, it arguably looks its best, with a coupé-inspired silhouette that gives the Q3 a more athletic stance.
CABIN IMPRESSIONS
Step inside and the transformation is equally substantial. Audi’s new digital stage dominates the dashboard with an 11.9” Audi virtual cockpit and 12.8” MMI touchscreen. The layout is clean and suitably modern, although some of the new controls require a little familiarisation before becoming second nature.
Material quality is generally what we have come to expect from Audi. The cabin feels solid, with enough quality finishes and soft-touch surfaces to justify its premium positioning. The flattened multifunction sport steering wheel adds some S line flavour from behind the wheel, while the overall driving position is comfortable and easy to settle into.
The Sportback silhouette hasn’t made it impractical either. Rear accommodation proved more than adequate for the usual school duties, while the sliding rear bench lets you adjust passenger and luggage space as needed. Drop the rear seats and luggage capacity expands to 1,289 litres, giving the stylish Sportback a useful practical side.
MAKING A CASE FOR DIESEL
Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel producing 110 kW and 360 Nm, paired with a seven-speed S tronic transmission driving the front wheels. While 110 kW may seem modest for something wearing S line clothing, the higher torque figure gives the TDI its easy-going character.
There is good shove from low down, overtaking requires little effort, and the S tronic works unobtrusively in the background. Around town the Q3 feels light and manageable, while on the highway it settles comfortably into its stride, helped by good suppression of road and wind noise.
Our normal routine is not particularly kind to fuel consumption. During school term, mornings involve dropping off the kids, followed by collections at different intervals in the afternoon, with meetings and quick trips to the shops filling the gaps. In other words, plenty of short, stop-start journeys and very little opportunity for an engine to spend hours cruising economically on the open road.
Audi claims an average consumption of 5.0 l/100 km and, without deliberately attempting an economy run, what impressed us most was how slowly the fuel gauge moved. Diesel traditionally makes an even stronger case over longer distances, but the Q3 remained remarkably restrained despite spending much of its time performing short urban duties.
That matters because real-world efficiency isn’t always about chasing the lowest possible number on the trip computer. Sometimes it is simply about getting on with your week without constantly wondering when you will next need a filling station.
The Q3 also strikes a convincing balance between comfort and composure. Steering is predictable, body movement stays nicely controlled, and the suspension handles most road surfaces with confidence. Those 19” wheels introduce some firmness over sharper imperfections, but not enough to upset the overall refinement.
A claimed zero-to-100 km/h time of 9.2 seconds further illustrates the TDI’s intentions. This is no S or RS model masquerading beneath S line clothing, nor does it need to be. Its strengths lie in accessible torque, effortless everyday performance and the ability to cover kilometres without developing an unhealthy relationship with the fuel pump.
LAST WORD
The Q3 Sportback TDI S line makes a convincing case for substance beneath the style. It looks sharp, feels suitably premium, and has enough practicality to cope with family duties, but the 2.0-litre turbodiesel completes the package. At just under a million, it is certainly not inexpensive, yet its combination of torque and impressive frugality reminds us why a good diesel remains difficult to beat. Sometimes performance is not about how quickly the numbers climb, but how slowly the fuel gauge drops.
Report by BRYAN KAYAVHU | Images © AUDI SOUTH AFRICA
