New Audi Q3: First look at Audi’s best-selling small SUV

More than two million Audi Q3s are on roads around the world, making this a significant model for the Four Rings Of Power. Meet the latest version.

Audi’s third-generation best-selling compact SUV adopts the swollen-cheeked, sceptical-eyed look and enormous 'singlegrame' grille seen on its recently refreshed stablemates. The result is a far more… ‘purposeful’ appearance, even when its mission is no more demanding than a supermarket run.

It represents a substantial departure from the second-generation Q3, with LED lighting, improved aerodynamics, a lower drag coefficient, sloping pillars, ‘blistered’ wheel arches and large wheels. You understand the idea.

Audi Q3 engines and plug-in hybrid range

Underneath those newly sculpted sides is Audi’s range of powertrains. The entry-level model uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 148bhp, which can deactivate cylinders two and three when you are not pushing on.

For greater doorhandle action, Audi is developing a 200bhp quattro Q3. Those seeking Full Doorhandles will need the 2.0-litre, 261bhp quattro version. Audi has not said how quickly that model accelerates, but with 400Nm of torque and four-wheel drive, it should get moving smartly enough.

Diesel remains available as a 148bhp front-wheel-drive TDI. There is also the expected plug-in hybrid, combining a petrol engine, electric motor and 25.7kWh battery - twice the capacity of the previous Q3 e-hybrid. Its output is 268bhp, again surpassing the old model, while its claimed electric-only range is 120km, which is impressive.

Suspension, driving modes and assistance systems

Audi says the new Q3 is also more capable. The standard steel-suspension arrangement is claimed to provide an “improved driving experience”. Adaptive suspension is naturally available, and Audi says its dampers “continuously react to the characteristics of the road surface”. In Britain, that presumably means they will be hilariously overreacting.

The twin-valve dampers supposedly “enable a better and smoother connection of the body to the suspension”, while the distinction between ‘comfort’ and ‘sporty’ driving settings is now clearer. Progressive steering can be specified, alongside new ‘balanced’ and ‘offroad plus’ modes for quattro versions.

There is plenty of driver assistance technology, too: adaptive cruise control, attention and fatigue alerts, traffic, distance and lane assistance, among other systems. In short, numerous sensors will be watching both the road and you.

The ‘emergency assistant’ can even intervene when the driver fails to respond, guiding the Q3 onto the hard shoulder and bringing it to a standstill. It can park itself as well, memorising up to five parking manoeuvres. Presumably none involves ‘across two spaces in the car park’.

Audi Q3 interior and boot space

The cabin is huge. A vast curved panoramic display combines a 30.2cm instrument cluster with a 32.5cm central touchscreen, operating via Android Auto and supported by AI. It is joined by a head-up display and a new multifunction steering wheel, while a small number of buttons remain in the cabin.

Storage spaces, lighting packages and speakers are plentiful, as are recycled and sustainable material options. These include wood, recycled polyester and velour made from old fishing nets, among other choices. Boot capacity is 575 litres with the rear seats upright and 1,386 litres with them folded.

“With a total of more than two million vehicles sold worldwide since the launch of the first generation, the Audi Q3 is one of our best-selling models and had a high status in our product portfolio,” said Audi boss Gernot Döllner. It certainly appears more high-status than ever before.