Audi Q3 review: Premium family SUV plugs in to the future
4OUT OF 5
The verdict
Staying ahead of the pack
The third-generation Audi Q3 mixes comfort, refinement and tech with an impressively capable hybrid powertrain
★★★★★
The Audi Q3 has been an important model in Ingolstadt’s line-up for more than a decade.
Launched back in 2012, it has successfully taken the fight to rivals from elsewhere in Germany, as well as Sweden, Japan and beyond, and helped cement Audi’s position as a leader in the SUV field.
Its family-friendly blend of space, performance and premium feel has helped it stay at the sharp end of the market. Time marches on, however, and to stay competitive the Q3 has had to move on too.
Now in its third generation, the latest Audi Q3 promises a neater design, lots of technology borrowed from more expensive models and, importantly, a much-improved plug-in hybrid setup with nearly 70 miles of electric range.
So to see how it stacks up, I spent a week with the new Audi Q3 e-hybrid putting it through its paces.
Design and interior
Cars are getting bigger and the latest Q3 is larger in every direction than before but, in modern terms, it manages to look reasonably compact thanks to a low-ish roofline and well-proportioned design. The big grille (and light-up tail badge) leave you in no doubt this is an Audi, but the use of relatively simple lines with soft edges, slimline lights, and a few large elements such as the lower bumper details mean it falls towards the unobjectionable end of the SUV design table.
Inside, like every Audi of recent memory, there’s a smattering of piano-black plastic and dark chrome-coloured trim, but it’s not as overbearing as in some stablemates. And like most Audis, the leather-wrapped sports seats are supremely supportive and comfortable.
The first thing I noticed about the Q3’s cabin, however, is that it felt distinctly better made than the A6 e-tron I drove last year. It’s not quite mid-90s “hewn-from-rock” Audi quality, but it does have the feel of something well screwed together from decent quality materials.
Those in the front are generously catered for in terms of space, but the rear seats are also reasonably well appointed, as long as you’re only travelling four-up. Three across the 40:20:40-split rear bench is tight, and rivals do offer a bit more space. The Q3’s 488-litre boot is pretty competitive and can be expanded to 575 litres with the rear bench slid forward.
Indicators and stalks in general aren’t usually worthy of note, but Audi’s started doing something a bit odd here. To create more space and a solid one-piece look to the dashboard, the stalks have been replaced with two big control “levers” with a mixture of rocker switches and dials. One manages gear selection (a la Mercedes) while the other does lights, indicators and washer functions. At first they look and feel odd but, in operation, they feel largely similar to the various old-fashioned stalks. Unlike some experimental interior approaches (cough, Tesla) you soon forget they’re any different from what you’re used to.
The slab-like approach frees up space in the centre console and gives a clean look that sits beneath the twin digital screens that make up the instrument and infotainment panel. There are a handful of physical controls – for drive modes, ADAS menu and EV modes – but most other functions rely on the touchscreen.
Technology and equipment
The touchscreen is a 12.8-inch affair that flows into the 11.9-inch configurable dials. Unlike previous generations, this latest infotainment setup runs on Android Automotive OS and brings all the connected services we’ve come to expect, including media streaming from the likes of YouTube. While the operating system has changed, Audi’s infotainment remains among the most user-friendly, with clear menus, a logical layout and scope for customisation, plus suitably rapid response times.
Elsewhere, the Q3 gets micro-LED tech from its bigger siblings. These multi-element lights can project information such as ice warnings or blind spot alerts directly onto the road in the driver’s eyeline as well as serving the anti-dazzle Matrix system.
Various options packs also bring features such as trained parking that will get you in and out of spaces you use regularly, smarter urban parking assist, a reversing assistant, and a Sonos sound system.
Every Q3 e-hybrid comes with heated seats, three-zone climate control with remote preconditioning, wireless smartphone mirroring and charging, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera.
Range, battery and charging
Audi is well on its way to an electric future, but it’s also keen to keep serving the ICE market for as long as it can, and the Q3 is at the heart of that.
The Q3 e-hybrid uses a combination of a turbocharged petrol engine and decent-sized electric motor, paired with a 19.7kWh battery.
Audi (and the WLTP testers) say that will return up to 69 miles of electric-only range. I didn’t get a chance to test the battery to its full extent, but I reckon a real-world EV range of around 50 miles is realistic.
When the battery runs out, the petrol motor will take over, helping charge the battery when the driving conditions allow. On the road, DC charging of 50kW allows a 10-80% top-up in 26 minutes while 11kW AC charging can deliver a full refill in two and a half hours.
Performance and driving
A 1.5-litre engine in a mid-sized family SUV doesn’t sound like much but in conjunction with the 85kW e-motor delivers a healthy 268bhp and 184lb ft. That’s enough to get the Q3 e-hybrid from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and deliver punchy mid-range acceleration.
What’s pleasing about the Q3 hybrid’s power delivery is that it is smoother than some plug-in hybrids. The throttle is progressive and predictable, and handover between electric and petrol power mostly avoids the obvious delay and jerkiness some PHEV systems demonstrate. It’s also refined even under quite heavy throttle, contributing to a commendably quiet and calm driving experience that’s enhanced by standard-fit acoustic glass.
The ride can’t quite match the rest of the car’s refinement and displays an occasional sharp edge if you’re on anything but the smoothest of roads. That said, it’s still composed, with good body control, and while the steering lacks much feel it is precise and quick enough to make confident progress.
Price, trim and rivals
The Audi Q3 e-hybrid range starts at £46,625 for the Sport trim.
Above that, the S-Line starts at £49,425 and adds unique exterior and interior styling, including a flat-bottomed steering wheel; tinted rear glass, leather upholstery and additional ambient lighting. It also upgrades the alloy wheels from 18 to 19 inches, adds LED lights with selectable light signatures, and an illuminated tailgate badge.
The £52,375 Black Edition brings more unique styling and microfibre upholstery, plus a heated steering wheel. Meanwhile, the range-topping Vorsprung grade costs £58,275 and adds a panoramic sunroof, Matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, passenger-side dashboard screen and Sonos stereo.
Those prices put the Q3 e-hybrid squarely up against Audi’s traditional rivals.
The BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA offer similar packages and performance for similar money, although the Audi’s more modern hybrid setup offers around 50% more range. There’s also the Toyota Rav4, which doesn’t have the same premium image but matches the Audi’s technical abilities. Or the Cupra Formentor, which uses the same technical underpinnings as the Audi hidden beneath a sharp Spanish suit.
Verdict
The Audi Q3 has been a long-time winner for Audi and this latest generation looks set to continue that trend.
It brings new levels of useful technology in a neat-looking and well-appointed package. Aside from a slightly stiff ride, it’s composed and refined, with an excellent hybrid setup that offers genuinely useful all-electric range.
For
Impressive hybrid range
Refined, comfortable interior
Plenty of clever new technology
Against
Quickly gets expensive
Occasionally stiff ride
Rivals offer more space
Fact file
Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid S line
Price
£51,800 (£55,000 as tested)
Powertrain
1.5-litre turbo petrol, 85kW electric motor, FWD
Battery
19.7kWh
Power
268bhp
Torque
184lb ft
Top speed
134mph
0-62mph
6.8 seconds
WLTP EV Range
69 miles
WLTP Consumption
149.3mpg
Real-world range
50 miles
Charging
up to 50kW
Boot space
488 to 575 litres
The rivals
Alternatives worth a test drive