New Audi Q3 revealed – premium family SUV gets 75-mile PHEV option

On sale September | Price from £37,000 (est)

In much the same way as it’s hard to imagine tech-toting Marvel superhero Iron Man being played by anyone other than Robert Downey Jr, the premium SUV market would look very different without the Audi Q3 at centre stage. And now, with numerous potential blockbuster rivals due for release, the Q3 has a sequel. 

In a bid to keep fans enthralled and perhaps attract more folk to the Q3 universe, this all-new model sports a more muscular look than its predecessor. At the front, a more angular front bumper features wider air intakes, and there are slimmer Matrix LED headlights (which can shape their beams to avoid dazzling other drivers). Meanwhile, a new full-width LED light bar stretches across the rear.

Kicking off the new Q3’s engine line-up is a 1.5-litre petrol that produces 148bhp and uses mild hybrid technology to the benefit of fuel economy. Next comes a pair of non-electrified 2.0-litre petrols, one making 210bhp and the other 255bhp. Both of these get ‘quattro’ four-wheel drive, providing extra traction on slippery roads. A seven-speed automatic gearbox is standard across most models.

Also in the line-up at launch is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This combines the 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 19.7kWh (usable capacity) battery for an official electric range of up to 75 miles. That’s more than the rival BMW X1 PHEV offers and matches the figure promised by the MG HS PHEV, although it’s worth remembering that the latter car is substantially cheaper to buy. The Q3 PHEV’s battery can be charged at rates of up to 50kW; Audi says a 10-80% top-up takes less than 30 minutes via a suitably powerful public charger.

Inside, the outgoing Q3’s 10.25in digital instrument panel has been replaced by a larger, 11.9in unit, while the infotainment touchscreen has grown from 10.1in to 12.8in and now runs on Android software. Being mounted higher than before, it should be easier to operate at a glance than the outgoing model’s screen. 

We’ve been impressed by the infotainment in Audi’s most recent models; the 14.5in OLED touchscreen of the Audi A5 executive car, for example, offers attractive graphics and responds promptly to prods. Our hopes are high for the Q3’s new system, then, but it’s a shame that the new car joins most rival family SUVs in having no physical climate controls. 

At least the temperature controls are always visible on the infotainment screen, rather than being buried in a sub-menu, plus there are physical controls for driving modes and audio volume. Speaking of which, music lovers can upgrade to a premium Sonos sound system.

Elsewhere, the new Q3’s gear selector takes the form of a column at the side of the steering wheel, freeing up extra storage space between the front seats. Here, you’ll find a pair of cupholders, a deep cubby beneath the armrest, a wireless charging pad and two USB-C power ports. With two more ports placed at the disposal of passengers in the rear seats, there’ll be no worries about anyone’s mobile devices running out of juice.

Meanwhile, interior measurements are unchanged from the previous Q3; that means two pairs of six-footers should still be able to travel together without cramp setting in, thanks in part to generous rear head room. However, an X1 or Volvo XC40 might be a better bet if you expect to regularly fill every seat; both rivals offer even more rear leg room.

When it comes to handling luggage, the Q3’s 488-litre boot is 12 litres down on that of the X1 but 30 litres bigger than the XC40’s, which swallowed seven carry-on suitcases in our tests. The new Q3 should be pretty practical, then, and as with the old car, you can slide the rear seats forwards to liberate extra boot space, at the expense of rear leg room, if the need arises.

Driver assistance features in the new Q3 include cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking, with adaptive cruise control optional, in combination with lane-keeping assistance. And while a rear-view camera is standard, the Q3 can optionally remember the steps involved when you park in up to five commonly visited spots, enabling the car to park for you.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but we’d expect the new Q3 to start at around £37,000, making it slightly more expensive than the X1 and XC40. However, with the smaller Q2 due to go off sale soon, the Q3 will become Audi’s cheapest SUV – at least with combustion power. And if you’re hoping for something sleeker in which to arrive at your next movie première, you won’t have long to wait; an all-new Q3 Sportback SUV coupé is expected on sale before the end of the year.

Read more: Every new car coming soon >>

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