Design and body
The sporty character of the Audi Q3 is apparent at first glance. The coupe-like body line with the wrap-around tailgate and the flat D-pillars emphasize its dynamics. Horizontal lines at the front and rear underscore the width of the car. The sculpted Singleframe grille is the salient feature of the front end. In the sport trim line the Audi Q3 has an even more distinctive face. The outer air inlets are larger; the blade beneath the center inlet is finished in the body color and the Singleframe grille in stone gray. With the S line exterior package, diamond-pattern inserts fill the air inlets. A strut spans the full width of the front skirt, dividing it into two segments. In the design trim line, the Q3 features gray and silver tones for a particularly upscale look. The Audi exclusive design package and the S line sport package offer customers additional options for customizing the interior and exterior.
Xenon plus headlights are standard. Audi also offers particularly bright and energy-efficient LED headlights in combination with dynamic turn signals in the LED rear lights.
The base version of the SUV has a curb weight (without driver) of just 1,385 kg (3,053.4 lb). The engine hood and tailgate are both made of aluminum. As is typical on Q models from Audi, the tailgate, which wraps around the pillars, integrates the undivided tail lights.
Interior
Inside, the Audi Q3 offers plenty of room, with high-quality workmanship and good ergonomics that reinforce its premium status. The luggage compartment has a basic volume of 460 liters (16.2 cu ft), which increases to 1,365 liters (48.2 cu ft) when the rear seat backrests are folded down. Standard equipment includes an extending luggage compartment cover. Audi also offers an optional power tailgate.
Drive system
The engine lineup includes four TFSI and four TDI units producing between 88 kW (120 hp) and 162 kW (220 hp) of power. All of the engines are as powerful as they are efficient. As a 2.0 TDI ultra, the Q3 has a combined fuel consumption of merely 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers (56.0 US mpg) with emissions of 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer (175.4 g/mi).
Engine lineup
- 1.4 TFSI with 92 kW (125 hp)
- 1.4 TFSI COD ultra with 110 kW (150 hp)
- 1.4 TFSI COD with 110 kW (150 hp)
- 2.0 TFSI quattro with 132 kW (180 hp)
- 2.0 TFSI quattro with 162 kW (220 hp)
- 2.0 TDI with 88 kW (120 hp)
- 2.0 TDI ultra with 110 kW (150 hp)
- 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TDI quattro with 110 kW (150 hp)
- 2.0 TDI quattro with 135 kW (184 hp)
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is available for many engines, either as an option or as standard equipment. The Q3 is available with a manual transmission or a six-speed or seven-speed S tronic.
Suspension
The chassis of the Audi Q3 combines safe and agile handling with comfort on all road surfaces. The Audi drive select system lets drivers modify key technology modules, including the optional active dampers, to suit their personal preferences. Hill descent control is available as an option.
Equipment and trim
Other options for the Q3 include a panoramic glass sunroof and an LED interior lighting package. The range of driver assistance systems is diverse: park assist autonomously steers the car into a parking space; Audi side assist uses radar to make changing lanes easier, and Audi active lane assist helps keep the car in the driving lane. The top infotainment system is MMI navigation plus – which is a navigation system with a hard drive. The Audi connect module including car phone connects the Q3 to the internet.
The Audi Q3 S line competition augments the lineup with a sporty special edition. Numerous exterior details, including the air inlets, Singleframe, wheel wells, roof rails and roof edge spoiler, are black. S line emblems on the fenders and in the interior underscore the dynamic character. Interior equipment includes sport seats, a flat-bottomed, multifunction sport leather steering wheel, stainless steel pedals and inlays in black piano finish. The S line sport suspension, Audi drive select dynamic handing system and the driver information system are standard, as are new 19-inch wheels in a gloss black 10-Y-spoke design.
