Audi Q3 (2012-2018) Review

• 2011 Audi Q3 launched 
• 2013 High-performance Audi RS Q3 with 2.5 TFSI engine launched.
• 2014 Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI joins the line-up in two-wheel drive only. New S line Plus specification brings trim count to three.
• 2014 Audi Q3 range upgraded. Engines now cleaner and more powerful.

1.4 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI, 2.5 TFSI, 2.0 TDI 150, 2.0 TDI 184

The Q3 is blessed with a range of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines. The only fly in the ointment is the 2.0 TFSI. It’s not especially economical and although it’s quick (0-60mph takes 7.6 seconds) it’s not as rounded a performer as its diesel equivalent, the much more economical 2.0 TDI 184.
Which leaves the remaining two petrol engines. For everyday driving, the 1.4 TFSI is the star here. It’s smooth, surprisingly punchy and, as long as you watch your speed, comes close to matching the diesels for economy. The 2.5 TFSI in the RS Q5 is another thing altogether. This engine is less about economy (although it’s not bad) and more about performance. It’s 0-60mph time isn’t far short of a supercar’s.
Back in the real world, though, the 2.0-litre diesel engines are where the smart money goes. The least powerful, the 2.0 TDI 150, is pretty much all you need for undemanding, everyday driving but if you do lots of long journeys with everyone plus the kitchen sink on board, you’ll need the more powerful 2.0 TDI 184. It’s a real mile-muncher that can cruise comfortably all day but get a move on when the occasion demands, and it’s almost as economical.

SE, S line, S line Plus, RS

The Audi Q3’s trim levels are easy to get your head around. There are just three, kicking off with the basic SE which is very well equipped but lacks a sat-nav. Next up is mid-spec S line which has a few non-essential fripperies and isn’t really worth bothering with. It also brings optional firmer suspension at no extra cost that does nothing for the ride and is best avoided. The third trim is called S line Plus. This is a significant improvement on SE. It has the all-important sat-nav, a visual parking aid called Parking System Plus that monitors the front and rear of the vehicle, cruise control and automatically dipping headlights.
Regardless of trim level, all Q3s have alloy wheels (they get larger with each trim but the SE’s smaller 17in wheel contributes to better fuel economy and provides a more comfortable ride), dual-zone climate control, a digital radio and sports front seats with electric lumbar support.
The RS Q3 is a trim level in its own right. Think S line Plus with a sporty bodykit and you won’t be far wrong.

The Audi Q3 feels exceptionally well made, a fact that saw it rank 7th for build quality in the 2015 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. The model didn’t quite scale the same heights in terms of reliability, however, achieving a – still impressive – 18th place.
The Audi Q3 has a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. That’s the same limit as Volkswagen’s but not as generous as BMW’s, which also lasts three years but has no mileage limitation. However, most drivers are unlikely to keep their new Q3 longer than three years or cover more than 20,000 miles a year so for them, Audi’s warranty should be sufficient.
If you intend keeping your Q3 for longer, it is possible to buy an extended warranty either at the outset or before the standard warranty expires.

The Audi Q3 is a premium vehicle with a strong image. These qualities mean it’s in strong demand not only as a new car but also as a used one. As a result, it holds its value very well. Diesel versions are the most-prized but that just means you can scoop up a bargain in the shape of the quietly impressive but overlooked 1.4 TFSI. Buyers tend to push the boat out at this level so 2.0 TDI 184 S line Plus quattro S tronic versions are reasonably common and hold their value exceptionally well. However, humbler Audi Q3 SE 2.0 TDI 150 versions in two-wheel-drive and with an attractive sprinkling of options – chief among them a sat nav – are plentiful and an affordable route to premium SUV motoring.
The quattro badge is a nice thing to have on your Audi Q3 but it’s worth asking yourself if you need four-wheel drive. The standard car is grippy enough while quattro versions are more expensive both to buy and to run.