Audi Q3

About Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 enjoyed significant success in India previously, and after a hiatus just before the implementation of BS6 regulations, the premium compact SUV has returned to the Indian market. The premium variant starts from ₹ 44.25 Lakhs (ex-showroom price in Delhi), and the higher Bold Edition variant is priced at ₹ 54.65 Lakhs (ex-showroom price in Delhi).

One of the key advantages of a crossover is its elevated height and ground clearance, facilitating easy ingress and egress. Accessing the Q3 is a breeze, thanks to its balanced stature and impressively wide door openings.

Audi's entry-level SUV, the Q3, excels in providing spacious and comfortable accommodation for four adults. The cabin exudes an airy ambience, offering ample room for passengers. The quality standards are notably high, complemented by advanced technology features.

The Q3's engine and gearbox pairing exemplifies refinement and responsiveness. Generating generous low-end torque for daily driving, it also delivers thrilling performance in the mid-range and top-end for those seeking driving excitement.

Powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol-automatic powertrain producing 187.74 bhp and 320 Nm, the Q3 offers robust performance with exceptional refinement. Furthermore, Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system enhances traction levels, making it suitable for varied driving conditions in the city or on the highway.

Audi Q3 Highlights

The following are the key highlights you must consider regarding the Audi Q3. 

• Audi Q3 Price: The ex-showroom price of the Audi Q3 ranges between ₹ 44.25 Lakhs and ₹ 54.65 Lakhs (in Delhi), depending on the vehicle's variants.

• Audi Q3 Launch Date: The new Audi Q3 was launched in India in August 2022.

• Configurations for Audi Q3: The Audi Q3 is primarily available in four trim levels- Premium, Premium Plus, Technology and Bold Edition. 

Audi Q3 Ex-Showroom Price

The ex-showroom price range (Delhi) for the Audi Q3 ranges between ₹ 44.25 Lakhs and ₹ 54.65 Lakhs. Audi Q3 represents premium luxury and comes with a fuel-efficient engine. Well-built interiors complement the stylish exterior design with a luxurious cabin. Besides its opulent looks, the Audi Q3 offers excellent driving performance with its sophisticated and powerful engine. 

Audi Q3 Models and Price

The following section will give you detailed information on the price of the Audi Q3 top and base models. 

• Audi Q3 Base Model Price: The ex-showroom price (Delhi) of the Audi Q3 starts from ₹ 44.25 Lakhs. It has a 1984cc engine paired with an automatic transmission.

• Audi Q3 Mid-Tier Model Price: The mid-level variant of the Audi Q3 is priced at ₹ 48.59 Lakhs (ex-showroom price in Delhi).

• Audi Q3 Top Petrol Model Price: The top-tier Audi Q3 Technology model begins at ₹ 54.65 Lakhs ex-showroom in Delhi.

Audi Q3: Quick Review 

In the upcoming section, we will delve into the dimensions of the Audi Q3, discussing its interior features, exterior design, performance capabilities, technological innovations, safety features, and other relevant aspects.

Exterior Design 

Audi has long been recognised for its distinctive family design language, and the Q3 carries on this tradition admirably. At the front, the iconic single-frame grille, adorned with the Audi logo, takes centre stage, complemented by arrow-shaped LED headlamps featuring a striking three-slash pattern for the running lights. Surrounding the grille and lower section is Audi's high-gloss styling package, adding to the vehicle's premium appeal.

On the sides, notable styling cues include flared wheel arches housing elegant 18-inch alloy wheels in Audi's signature five-arm design. The prominent shoulder line extends gracefully beyond the rear doors, converging into a defined line above the wrap-around tail lamps. While the side profile may appear understated, the rear fascia exudes muscularity, characterised by a robust bumper, a distinct line above the tail lamps, and a rear spoiler, lending an extra touch of sportiness. The wrap-around tail lamps mirror the intricate pattern found in the headlamps, adding a cohesive aesthetic to the vehicle's design.

Interior and Features

Stepping into the cabin of the new Q3, one finds a high-quality space characterised by large shapes, a vertical layout, and a notable abundance of buttons, which may evoke a sense of traditionalism but provide reassurance.

The dashboard adopts a driver-oriented layout at the forefront, 31.24 cm. Audi's virtual cockpit system offers a visually appealing interface, user-friendly operation, and a wealth of easily accessible information. Along with this is a 10.1-inch infotainment display seamlessly integrated into the dashboard. This display operates on Audi's latest touch MMI OS, a departure from the previous Q3's reliance on a control wheel for interaction. The system offers intuitive navigation to all functions, with clear graphics and a vibrant display. While the new Q3 includes wireless charging, it does not support wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

In terms of space, the front row provides ample headroom, knee room, and shoulder room, even with the panoramic sunroof. The plastics in this area present a mix of quality, with noteworthy aluminium elements on the dashboard and centre console alongside some less impressive materials on non-contact surfaces, detracting slightly from the overall cabin ambience.

When moving to the second row, there is ample space for a vehicle in this segment. While headroom and knee room are sufficient, shoulder room may feel constrained for three occupants due to the transmission tunnel and protrusion of the AC vents. The seats offer a 60:40 split-fold configuration and a recline function for added comfort. Lastly, due to the car's design, the 530-litre boot is wide and spacious, although it has a high-loading lip.   

Engine and Transmission

Audi Q3 Engine 

Powering the Q3 is Audi's 2.0-litre TFSI turbo petrol engine, which has a displacement of 1984cc, delivers 187.74 bhp / 320 Nm, and is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. All variants come standard with Audi's renowned Quattro AWD technology.

From the outset, the 2.0-litre petrol engine demonstrates impressive tractability, providing practical performance in urban and highway environments. It operates with refinement and emits a pleasing sound when pushed to its limits. Additionally, the Q3 offers various driving modes, each adjusting throttle and steering response accordingly. On one end of the spectrum is the eco mode, which dulls response significantly, is beneficial for navigating heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic, and requires low-end grunts. On the other end is the dynamic mode, unleashing the full power and torque potential, resulting in exhilarating acceleration and a claimed 0-100kmph time of 7.3 seconds.

Audi Q3 Transmission

The Q3 has a 2.0-litre turbo petrol-automatic powertrain, generating between 187.74 bhp and 320 Nm. The Q3 offers exceptional refinement and delivers robust performance across various driving conditions. Additionally, it features Audi's renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system, enhancing traction levels. The engine and gearbox pairing of the Q3 ensures a refined and smooth driving experience suitable for city commutes and highway journeys.

Audi Q3 Performance

Audi has opted to offer petrol-powered options exclusively. Your sole choice is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, delivering 187.74 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque. In their defence, this engine is a true gem! It showcases remarkable versatility, effortlessly navigating city streets at 20 kmph while also capable of accelerating you to much higher speeds with ease. The seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox operates smoothly, responds quickly, and readily delivers shifts upon request.

You can select from three driving modes: Eco, Comfort, and Sport. These modes adjust both the engine response and steering feel. Alternatively, you can leave it in 'Auto,' allowing the car to adapt the mode based on your driving style. There's also an 'Individual' mode for personalised preferences. The standout feature of the Q3's driving experience is its ease. Transitioning to the Q3's driving dynamics is seamless, even if you're upgrading from a smaller hatchback or sedan.

Audi Q3 Mileage

In India, the Audi Q3 is exclusively offered in petrol variants. The brand claims an average mileage of 14.93 kmpl for the Q3's petrol variant under ideal road conditions. Additionally, the Audi Q3 Premium Plus model has a 55-litre fuel tank. 

Audi Q3 Ground Clearance

The Audi Q3 features a maximum ground clearance of 170 mm, allowing it to tackle light off-road conditions and travel rough terrain at high speed without risking damage to its undercarriage. Nonetheless, it's essential to recognise that the Q3 is not engineered for demanding off-road adventures. The vehicle's all-wheel-drive system is well-suited for traversing challenging terrain, such as hilly regions, ensuring a timely and safe journey to your destination thanks to the potent engines. However, its capabilities for off-roading are limited, making it suitable for mild off-road excursions at best.

Audi Q3 Boot Space

Another spacious area in the SUV is its boot, which offers a capacity of 530 litres. This capacity is sufficient for carrying luggage or equipment for long-distance travel. 

Audi Q3 Dimensions

The Audi Q3 is a spacious premium SUV with ample dimensions: it measures 4482 mm in length, 1849 mm in width, and 1616 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2680 mm. It features a substantial ground clearance of 170 mm and a 62-litre fuel tank capacity, commanding attention with its imposing stature. The Q3 is engineered to deliver a luxurious driving experience and is a formidable and refined SUV.

Audi Q3 Colours

The Audi Q3 is available in 5 colour options:

• Pulse Orange

• Nano Grey Metallic

• Glacier White Metallic

• Mythos Black Metallic

• Navarra Blue Metallic

Safety 

The Audi Q3 has achieved a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, primarily attributed to including driving assistance systems like lane keep assist and autonomous braking in the test car. In the Indian variant, safety features include six airbags, ABS, EBD, front and rear parking sensors, and speed warnings.

Audi Q3 Rivals

The Audi Q3 faces formidable competition within its class, with notable rivals such as the BMW X1, Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota Fortuner, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Toyota Camry.

Audi Q3: Old vs Facelift

The updated Audi Q3 boasts several improvements beyond just visible exterior changes. This substantial redesign notably enhances both its exterior appearance and interior, distinguishing it from its predecessor. This segment will spotlight the critical alterations between the current Audi Q3 and its earlier iterations. 

Exterior

Both the pre-facelift and facelift Q3 had the same powertrain options, which included a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The facelift model had minor fuel efficiency and performance improvements, but the fundamental engine and transmission remained essentially unaltered.

Interior

The Q3 facelift included a new interior with higher-quality materials and a more contemporary style. The infotainment system was improved, and the centre console was revamped to provide a more luxurious feel. The pre-facelift model featured a more antiquated interior, which was still practical and well-built, typical of Audi's quality standards.

Features

The Q3 makeover included additional safety and technology features, including upgraded driver assistance systems, a more prominent infotainment display, and enhanced connection choices. The pre-facelift model had basic amenities anticipated in the small luxury SUV market but still needs to include the most recent innovations in the upgraded model.

Engine and Gearbox

Both the pre-facelift and facelift Q3 had the same powertrain options, which included a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The facelift model had minor fuel efficiency and performance improvements, but the fundamental engine and transmission remained essentially unaltered.

Pros and Cons of the Audi Q3

Pros

• The ride quality is comfortable, handling broken roads with confidence.

• The 2.0-litre TFSI engine paired with the 7-speed S-tronic transmission is potent, turning the car into a powerful rider when desired.

• The cabin is practical and spacious, easily accommodating a family of four.

Cons

• There is no diesel engine available.

• Features like a 360° camera, ventilated front seats, and ADAS should have been included in the price.