Audi Q3 Sportback
The Q3 Sportback is quite trendy looking and is available in three trims.
The primary focus here is the PHEV, which I drove in S Line trim.
With 245PS on tap, it feels brisk, especially as the electric motor’s acceleration comes instantly in a burst. It does 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, which is adequate for most, topping out at 130mph.
The PHEV has a firmer suspension to deal with the extra electrified heft, but you’ll struggle to notice – it still corners smoothly and doesn’t resist.
Of course, the PHEV is economical, returning official figures of 148mpg in the S Line trim. However, getting near these figures requires keeping the battery topped up and ensuring the car runs on electric power only as often as possible.
The PHEV is a no-brainer, then, if you’re looking for a company car. Its ultra-low emissions will generate the best savings in Benefit in Kind tax.
Audi makes some of the best interiors, and the Q3 gets the same treatment. It looks smart and sophisticated and has a superbly premium feel, especially the two-tiered dashboard, which is bathed in silver and grey décor. It houses an embedded infotainment screen that is slightly angled towards the driver.
The PHEV’s silver pedals and light door trims also make the interior look inviting. Everything – including well-dampened switches, dials, and buttons – feels solid, sturdy, and well put together.
The infotainment system is among the best in the business, too, with intuitive menus and a clear, high-resolution display. There is no rotary dial, which means it’s not the easiest to use on the move, but the Q3 Sportback comes with voice control, which works reasonably reliably.
There are no traditional dials behind the steering wheel; instead, they are replaced by the Audi Virtual Cockpit display, which offers a variety of customisable options so you can choose what information you want to see.
Finding a comfortable driving position is easy in the Q3 Sportback, with plenty of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel. You sit reasonably high, with good forward visibility, while the windscreen pillars are kept slim, aiding your view at road junctions.
Rearward visibility is more restricted, though, with thicker diagonal rear pillars, making the rear windscreen’s angle shallow, further limiting your view. Still, it’s mitigated somewhat by including rear parking sensors, although a rear-view camera is available as an optional extra.
The front has enough headroom to accommodate drivers well over six feet tall, and the expansive cabin provides sufficient shoulder space. Things could be more rosy in the back, though. The sloping roofline makes the rear hostile to the tallest passengers, but there’s a decent amount of legroom. The rear seats recline, too, which may reduce the chance of banging your head off the ceiling.
Another downside of the Q3 Sportback is that the boot effectively has a chunk chopped off it compared with the standard Q3. Interestingly, this doesn’t lessen the Q3 Sportback’s boot capacity. It is listed as 530 litres for both models – although the space is more usable in the standard Q3. However, choosing the Sportback PHEV reduces the cargo capacity to 380 litres.
The back seats can be folded in a versatile and convenient 40:20:40 split, expanding the available boot capacity. You can also create more space with the rear seats in place as they slide back and forth, although the boot still isn’t tiny, even in its most compromised configuration. As a result, you’ll easily fit folded-up prams, golf clubs and supermarket sweeps.
In conclusion, the Q3 Sportback is a tempting car with plenty of attributes in its favour. It has refined engines, a lovely interior, and reasonable handling. The ride is a little on the firm side; nevertheless, if you can live with that and the drawbacks of the limited rear headroom, this Audi makes a good case for itself.
Fast Facts – Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e S tronic – as tested:
All Photo Credits: Courtesy of Audi
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