Prices for the new Audi Q3 Sportback start from €40,40o
The Audi Q3 Sportback will certainly turn heads but are looks enough to justify its price asks Geraldine Herbert
What is it? Part SUV and part coupe the new Audi Q3 Sportback promises to fuse sportiness and practicality and is designed to compete with rivals such as the Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar E-Pace, Volvo XC40, the Mercedes GLA and the Lexus UX. For some the coupe SUV is a smart and sleek compromise for others its a motorised crisis of identity.
Styling? With a coupe-like sloping roofline, chiselled edges and oversized grille the Sportback oozes sophistication and it looks more athletic and purposeful than the regular Q3. Turbo Blue and Pulse Orange will ensure you will never mistake your car in the carpark but the more muted options may be worth considering if you want to stand out from the crowd, but not too much.
Inside there is very little inside to differentiate the Q3 Sportback from its regular Q3
Under the bonnet? Our Audi Q3 Sportback test car is powered by a 1.45 petrol engine. The is also a 2.0 litre petrol and diesel on offer.
What about inside? Inside it is an alluring mix of sharp lines, high-tech and luxurious touches and its ergonomically well-thought-out. The digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster is part of a two-level instrument panel that also includes a10.1-inch high-resolution MMI touch display and all come with a clear and straightforward set of controls. The boot is a decent size holding 530 litres and can be extended, if you’re carrying something really big, to 1,400 litres. On the downside, the striking exterior with the sloped roofline means rear visibility is not great and tall rear seat passengers will feel a little cramped.
On the road? Lower than the standard Q3 the Sportback is more at home on the road than off exploring the flora and fauna of the countryside but it’ll cruise effortlessly around town and country without too much fuss. Good to drive the S-tronic automatic gearbox is deliciously smooth while the Audi “drive select” driving dynamics system allows you to change the characteristics of the car. On a mix of urban and rural roads, Audi reckons you will achieve 7.2 to 6.8 litres per 100km. Annual motor tax is €280 and the one-off Nox charge is €249.
What about safety? There are a host of passive and active safety systems including lane departure warning which helps the driver to remain in the lane. You will have to splash out more to gain additional safety options including the Audi pre sense front which works by warning the driver if a head-on collision is imminent with a visual, acoustic, and haptic alert. Adaptive cruise control is also optional.
Boot space is 530 litres
What are my options? Two trim lines, SE and S line along with the choice of a Manual and automatic gearboxes are available as is quattro four-wheel drive. Opt for the S line package and your Q3 Sportback will be delivered with extras including, Sport suspension sports seats with S emblem, a leather steering wheel in three-spoke design with multifunction plus, including steering wheel handles, and selector lever knob in perforated leather as well as stainless steel pedals and footrest along with full LED Headlamps.
Will it break the bank? Prices start from €39,400 but there is €1000 price premium over the Q3 SUV so the range starts from €40,400. Our test car was priced €46,450.00 but came with extra options costing €7,897 and paint costing €502.00 so will set you back an eye-watering €54,849.
So Love it or leave it? The Q3 Sportback is very very alluring and it will woo fans with its sharp styling and on the road refinement but isn’t cheap. Not only does it cost more than the regular Q3 but its considerably more expensive than many rivals. It may turn heads but is it a price worth paying for?
What It Says About You? You are a five-star fashionista, who likes to tackles shopping centres rather than sand dunes.
Rivals
Range Rover Evoque
Jaguar E-Pace
Mercedes GLA
Lexus UX
AUDI – Q3 Sportback – 35TFSI 150BHP
Engine: 1.5 l petrol engine, 1498cc, 150 bhp @5000-6000, 250Nm @1500-3500
Max speed: 204 km/h
0-100: 9.6 seconds
Emissions (motor tax): 162-157 g/km (€280)
Nox Emissions: 49.9mg
Nox charge: €249
Model price range from: €40,400
No of Doors: 5
Euro NCAP: Not yet tested
Fuel type: Petrol
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 7.2 to 6.8 litres per 100km
Boot Capacity Seats up(down): 530 litres (1400)
Length: 4,500mm
Width: 1856mm
Height: 1567mm
Wheelbase: 2680mm
For more information visit the Audi Ireland website or its Facebook page or Twitter
Geraldine Herbert
19th June 2020
