In order to acquire certain features, such as the optional backup camera, we purchased an all-wheel-drive Q3 that was sticker priced at more than $40,000. That is quite a lot for a small SUV, but the Q3 certainly delivers premium features and impressive fit and finish. Most important, it has the practicality of a larger hatchback, but with the smaller footprint that allows it to move about in urban areas.
There's nothing entry level about the way the Q3 drives. Much like recent Audis we've tested, the ride is well-mannered and sporty, with bumps and ruts soaked up and smoothed out. Handling is balanced, with steering that responds quickly to inputs without feeling darty.
Audi puts its turbo four-cylinder engines in a lot of vehicles. In the Q3, the motor delivers decent acceleration, but nobody would call it blistering. Slapping the shift lever into Sport or manual modes quickens throttle response, and it takes away any drama should you need to get up to speed quickly on the highway.
Being the smallest SUV in the Audi lineup brings some packaging shortcomings.
Up front, the driver's footrest is a little too close, so you end up sliding the driver's seat back a bit more. Unfortunately, the steering wheel doesn't telescope far enough back, creating an awkward driving position. In the back, the rear seat and rear cargo areas are small—even for the segment.
Like its A3 sedan sibling, the Q3 has interior materials that are not up to the standard of the rest of the Audi lineup. For $40,125, we expected more than a cabin awash with hard-touch surfaces. Knobs and buttons feel solid, and more in line with other Audis, and opening the large panoramic sunroof significantly brightens the interior.
Audi’s Multimedia Interface controller is situated in the middle of the center stack. This placement is actually more logical than that of other Audi models, positioning it closer to more traditional radio controls. First-timers will take a bit of time to get over the MMI learning curve, but in the end it's one of the more logical systems.
Thus far, the Q3 is off to strong start in our test program, proving to be a compelling package with the refinement, if not the panache, expected by consumers stretching to the prestige brand ranks.