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. 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...