Item: Audi Q3 Sportback
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Audi Q3 Sportback

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Q3 Sportback is keenly priced against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>&nbsp;but the equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a>&nbsp;will cost you less, as will the&nbsp;regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a>.

Our favourite 35 TFSI petrol engine will return just over 40mpg officially, which is rather more than the 32mpg promised by the 45 TFSI. The 45 TFSIe plug-in hybrid has an official figure of more than 140mpg, but you’ll need to be running on the electric motor as much as possible to get anywhere near it. This mpg figure will also tumble if you run on the petrol engine alone.

The diesel 35 TDI will be a safe bet if you frequently cover long distances, consistently beating the petrols and being a relatively affordable choice as a company car thanks to its low CO2 output.

The Q3 Sportback broadly follows the regular Q3 when it comes to trim levels and standard equipment, starting with a slightly higher spec Sport as the entry-level model. This remains our favourite and gives you pretty much all you need, with 18in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and an electric tailgate, plus the infotainment system with Virtual Cockpit.

S Line brings a more aggressive exterior look that includes 19-inch wheels, but doesn’t add a whole lot more in terms of practical equipment. It's a similar story with Black Edition trim, and while Vorsprung trim boasts virtually every feature in the Audi catalogue, it's too pricey to recommend.

Every Q3 Sportback gets automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>)&nbsp;with pedestrian and cyclist detection and lane-departure warning, while blind-spot monitoring, which <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> calls Side Assist, is available as part of the Driver Assist pack or comes as standard if you go for Vorsprung trim.

The Q3 Sportback was awarded five stars for safety by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> when appraised in 2020, with a strong showing across the board. Its ability to protect adult and child occupants in a crash was found to be very similar to the rival Evoque.

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We reckon the Audi Q3 Sportback's 1.5-litre 148bhp petrol engine (badged 35 TFSI) should be enough for most drivers.

Its mild-hybrid technology recuperates a small amount of energy as you brake, stores it in a small battery&nbsp;and deploys it through an electric motor to assist the petrol engine. It works well, improving acceleration and fuel economy, but the engine still feels strained when worked hard.

The 2.0-litre (45 TFSI) petrol gives you 242bhp for a hot-hatchback-like 0-62mph time of 5.8sec, delivering its best if you keep the engine spinning at 3000rpm or more. It's not cheap, though. The 45 TFSIe plug-in hybrid has an identical power output, but with a slower 7.3sec 0-62mph time.

If you plan to go for a diesel, the 35 TDI 2.0-litre can feel a little flat when overtaking on faster roads but offers a good compromise between pace and efficiency if you do lots of miles. The 197bhp 40 TDI diesel is noticeably stronger but considerably more expensive, partly because it's available only with quattro four-wheel drive.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Audi</a> gives you a six-speed manual gearbox as standard on the 35 TFSI petrol and 35 TDI diesel engines. It's reasonably light and easy to use, but it doesn't have the most precise shift action.

You can pay extra to have a seven-speed automatic (S tronic) gearbox. Most of the time it shuffles through the gears quickly and smoothly, but it can be slow to respond as you set&nbsp;off from stationary. That's less of an issue with the more powerful 40 TDI and 45 TFSI versions, though.

The Q3 Sportback’s diesel engines are fairly loud when you accelerate hard and, to a lesser extent, the same is true of the 35 TFSI petrol engine. However, it gets close to matching the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a> for low levels of wind and road noise, even with 20in wheels (the largest available).

Audi's Drive Select system is standard across the range, and allows you to adjust how the car&nbsp;feels on the road. Dynamic is supposed to be the sportiest mode, and combines heavier steering and sharper (if often jerky) accelerator responses. It also firms up the&nbsp;adaptive suspension, if you have it fitted.

Unfortunately, despite having plenty of grip, the Q3 Sportback is rather short on driver involvement. If you’re a keen driver, the Evoque, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ateca/estate/review/n111"> Seat Ateca</a> are considerably more fun through the corners.

The standard sports suspension is relatively firm –&nbsp;you’ll notice most&nbsp;road imperfections as you drive along. With&nbsp;adaptive suspension fitted, the Q3 Sportback rides fairly smoothly in Comfort mode, but if comfort is a priority, the Evoque is a better bet.

The Audi Q3 Sportback adds a bit of coupé styling&nbsp;to the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a> family SUV. The design changes are most noticeable at the back of the car, with a roofline that tapers more heavily towards the Q3 Sportback’s smaller rear window and an aggressive-looking rear bumper.

The Q3 Sportback is available with most of the petrol and diesel engines you can get with the Q3, and power outputs range from 148bhp to 242bhp. There's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) option that&nbsp;combines a 1.4-litre petrol engine with a motor and a battery to allow you do up to 31 miles (officially) on electric power alone.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Audi</a>&nbsp;also gives you the choice between front or four-wheel drive (quattro), as well as a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic gearbox. If you're interested in tying that sleeker look with hardcore 395bhp performance, check out our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs-q3/4x4/review/n20576">Audi RS Q3 review</a>.

You do have to pay a small premium to get into an entry-level Sportback compared with the standard Q3. The range starts with higher-spec Sport trim rather than Technik.&nbsp;

As a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupe-suvs-2023/n23014">coupé SUV</a>, the Audi Q3 Sportback is aimed directly at other swoopy-looking and sporty SUVs, including&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a>. So is it as fun to drive or smart inside as those rivals? Is it a practical family car, or just a pretty face?

The next few pages of this review will tell you, as we compare it with key rivals for performance, interior quality, running&nbsp;costs and more. We'll also tell you which engine and trim combination we recommend.

If you’re in the market for a new&nbsp;SUV – or any make and model of car for that matter – make sure you get it for the best price by searching our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals&nbsp;service</a>. It could you save you thousands off the list price without any haggling, and has lots of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/coupe-suv">new coupé SUV deals</a>.

The dashboard of the Audi Q3 Sportback looks smart and feels solidly screwed together. Most of the buttons and switches operate with a feeling of precision,&nbsp;and certain versions spoil the occupants with metal accents and touchy-feely Alcantara suede trims.

When you examine it in more depth, not everything lives up to the premium standards of the dashboard. Some of the materials on the door panels and below the touchscreen&nbsp;are more “that’ll do” than “this is nice".&nbsp;In terms of general plushness, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a> have a clear edge.

All Q3 Sportbacks come with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Audi</a>&nbsp;Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel, which takes the place of conventional analogue dials behind the steering wheel. It allows for far more configurability than conventional instruments, as well as enabling navigation maps to be displayed right in front of the driver. The panel is 10.3in with all trims except Vorsprung, which gets a&nbsp;12.3in one.

There’s a good range of adjustment to the steering wheel and driver’s seat, but adjustable lumbar support costs extra on all but the top-spec Vorsprung models. You don’t sit quite as high as you do in an Evoque, but you still get a good view of the road ahead, helped further by fairly slim front pillars.

The rear view suffers from the low roof and small rear window, though, so the Sportback is harder to see out of than the standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3/4x4/review/n43">Audi Q3</a> when you're reversing. Thankfully, rear parking sensors are standard across the range, and a rear-view camera is available as an option (you get a 360-degree bird's eye view camera with Vorsprung trim).

At night, the standard LED headlights provide good illumination. On Vorsprung trim, they're upgraded to adaptive matrix&nbsp;LED headlights that automatically shape their light pattern to avoid dazzling other road users.

All Q3 Sportbacks get a 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system, but using it on the move can be fiddly and frustrating. We prefer the iDrive system with rotary controller in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a>, which is much less distracting. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> smartphone screen mirroring come as standard on all models, and you get a punchy-sounding Sonos stereo if you go for Vorsprung trim (or pay extra).

Hatchback

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Q3 Sportback

Striking to look at, but not as classy inside as you might hope

There’s generous headroom in the front of the Audi Q3 Sportback and the seats slide back far enough to allow even those with particularly long legs to get comfortable. The interior is wide enough that you won’t be rubbing shoulders with your front passenger, although it’s worth noting that the armrest is a bit narrow, so there might be some elbow bashing.&nbsp;

The Q3 Sportback has reclining rear seats that allow passengers to kick back and relax (the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x2/hatchback/review/n121">BMW X2</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-evoque/4x4/review/n109">Range Rover Evoque</a> don't have these). Unfortunately, the sloping roofline means that anyone&nbsp;approaching six feet tall will find their heads brushing the roof lining – and that’s without the optional panoramic sunroof fitted.&nbsp;The Evoque&nbsp;has a little less leg room in the back, but has more&nbsp;headroom.&nbsp;

Those reclining seats slide back and forth, so you can prioritise rear legroom or boot space accordingly. The shapely rear end comes at a cost: the boot can't swallow as much luggage as the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q3sportback/hatchback/review/n20019">Audi Q3</a> (or an Evoque, for that matter).

If you opt for the TFSIe PHEV, there’s even less boot space because of the battery stored beneath the floor. You still get more capacity than the BMW X2 boot has, though. A large buggy will fit in easily, and you can fold down the rear seats if you need extra load space.

In all probability, it's the way the Q3 Sportback looks that has got you interested. However, while it's not as versatile as the regular Audi Q3, it's also roomy enough for smaller families and comfortable to drive. We reckon the Range Rover Evoque is a better bet, but it’s also more expensive. If you and your budget won’t stretch to that and you want a sleekly styled SUV, the Q3 Sportback is worth a look.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.

As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.

&nbsp;

Family SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Eye-catching looks without sacrificing too much practicality</li> <li>Strong performance in keeping with a sportier brief</li> <li>Running costs that won’t break the bank</li> <li>Classy interior with high-quality materials</li> <li>Pricing that isn’t exorbitant next to that of conventional siblings</li></ul>

Coupe SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Precise, feelsome steering</li> <li>Agile, entertaining handling</li> <li>Reasonable ride comfort</li> <li>Smart and practical interior</li></ul>

Needing a&nbsp;practical load-lugger doesn't mean you need to scrimp on power and sporting prowess. In fact, most sporty manufacturers now have dedicated sports SUVs in their line-up with 0-62mph times to rival cars half their size.

Sports SUV

Audi Q3 Sportback review

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The Q3 Sportback is keenly priced against the Range Rover Evoque but the equivalent BMW X2 will cost you less, as will the regular Audi Q3.,Our favourite 35 TFSI petrol engine will return just over 40mpg officially, which is rather more than the 32mpg promised by the 45 TFSI. The 45 TFSIe plug-in hybrid has an official figure of more than 140mpg, but you’ll need to be running on the electric motor as much as possible to get anywhere near it. This mpg figure will also tumble if you run on the petrol engine alone.,The diesel 35 TDI will be a safe bet if you frequently cover long distances, consistently beating the petrols and being a relatively affordable choice as a company car thanks to its low CO2 output.The Q3 Sportback broadly follows the regular Q3 when it comes to trim levels and standard equipment, starting with a slightly higher spec Sport as the entry-level model. This remains our favourite and gives you pretty much all you need, with 18in alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and an electric tailgate, plus the infotainment system with Virtual Cockpit.,S Line brings a more aggressive exterior look that includes 19-inch wheels, but doesn’t add a whole lot more in terms of practical equipment. It's a similar story with Black Edition trim, and while Vorsprung trim boasts virtually every feature in the Audi catalogue, it's too pricey to recommend.,Every Q3 Sportback gets automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and lane-departure warning, while blind-spot monitoring, which Audi calls Side Assist, is available as part of the Driver Assist pack or comes as standard if you go for Vorsprung trim.The Q3 Sportback was awarded five stars for safety by Euro NCAP when appraised in 2020, with a strong showing across the board. Its ability to protect adult and child occupants in a crash was found to be very similar to the rival Evoque.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here,

Buying advice for the Audi Q3 Sportback covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

Audi Q3 Sportback review

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