The Audi Q3 Sportback was launched in Mzansi last year in November, it arrives to shake things up and compete with the likes of the Volvo XC40, Range Rover Evoque, BMW X2, and the Jaguar E-Pace. I was granted the opportunity to drive it over the festive season. Here are my thoughts only this sporty little thing.
Styling
The Q3 Sportback is based on the Q3 SUV but is lower, a little narrower, and also a tad longer. It looks similar to the Q3 SUV from the front, the only difference being that the Sportback has a three-dimensional design grille. Things change quite drastically as you look at it from the side and rear. The side profile looks gorgeous with its sloping roofline and the haunches above the wheel arches give it that sporty/aggressive look. At the rear, you’ll find a sportier bumper with a diffuser (that doesn’t work but adds to the aesthetics). Our test unit was sporting 19-inch cast alloy wheels that suited the car very well. It’s a great looking car and garnered a lot of attention everywhere I went with it.
Inside
Inside of the Q3 Sportback is classic Audi, well put together, high quality and an all-round great place to be in whether you’re doing long or short trips. It’s good to point out that some of the materials in the Q3 Sportback are a bit cheap especially lower down from the dash. Our test unit was fitted with the optional S line interior package (R16,700) that includes leather sports seats in the front with embossed S logo, stainless steel foot rest and pedals, headliner in black fabric and headliner in Black fabric. The optional panoramic glass sunroof adds a sense of airiness to the cabin.
The Q3 Sportback uses Audi’s MMI radio plus which comes as standard, but our unit was fitted with the optional Technology package (R35,180) that includes MMI navigation plus, Audi virtual cockpit plus, Audi connect (limited functionality), ambient lighting package plus, and Interior in aluminium look. This means it gets a bigger 10.1-inch touch screen instead of the standard 8.8-inch. Being fitted with Audi virtual cockpit plus means you also get a bigger 12.3-inch display instead of the smaller 10.25 inch Audi virtual cockpit. The optional R9,170 Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System is well worth the money, the sound quality is really good.
The infotainment system is easy to use and is packed with features. When selecting a function on the touchscreen it emits acoustic feedback making the driver feel like their touching a real button. It features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment is great but has its drawbacks, you can only really use it when you’re stationary because it makes you take your eyes off the road when trying to use certain functions. Also, if you’re a clean freak you’re going to be cleaning the touchscreen a lot because of it is a fingerprint magnet.
Practicality
The Q3 Sportback can seat three passengers at the rear but because of the sloping roofline, headroom is slightly limited if you’re taller than normal. Rear passenger space is pretty decent for a car of this size. It makes use of rear air vents and USB ports for charging at the rear. For added comfort, the rear seats can be moved front and back, and also recline. Audi says boot space is the same as the SUV despite its coupe-like design. It’s rated at 530 litres with the seats up and 1400 litres when all the rear seats are folded flat.
The Drive
Powering the Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI Quattro is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 132 kW and 320 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission, Audi claims a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 7.8 seconds. Audi also offers the smaller-engined Q3 Sportback with a 35 TFSI engine. Having driven the Audi Q3 with the 35TFSI there’s a difference in terms of performance. Off the line it’s quite quick, it has a sort of a launch control function. When in its sportiest setting with the traction control either off or in sport, it can hold the revs 3000 rpm, and it catapults after sidestepping it.
I was surprised by how well this car rides, you’d think that the sporty suspension and low profile tyres will ruin the ride but I was dead wrong. The longest trip I did was to Pietermaritzburg and back (262km trip in total) and it did pretty well on the highway managing to do a decent 6.8 l/100km, beating the claimed 7.2 l/100km figure. After driving it for two weeks, I learnt how the car behaves and managed to do 700 km from a single tank of fuel which is quite impressive. Thanks to optional Matrix LED headlamps (R7,560) driving at night is made easy. Basically “Audi Matrix LED system can see vehicles in front and adjust its high-beam light in such a way that it illuminates the road without blinding other drivers” – Car Advice
Verdict
The Q3 Sportback is a really good small premium SUV. The SUV version is also pretty good, but what you’re really buying into with the Sportback is that sporty coupe design. Its priced slightly higher than the normal Q3 with the Q3 Sportback starting at R 693,000 for the 35TFSI and R 737,000 for the 40TFSI. All is well and dandy until you start going crazy with the options list. Our test unit came in at a whopping R 929,360 with options, thats R 192,360 worth of options. But if you’re in the market for such a car and the budget permits you should definitely go for it. It has a punchy engine, practical and rides like a dream. If you’re looking for more oomph you’re gonna have to wait for the more potent Audi RS Q3 model which will arrive on our shores in the second quarter of 2021.
Specs
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
- Power: 132 kW
- Torque: 320 Nm
- Transmission: seven-speed automatic
- Acceleration: 0 – 100 km/h 7.8 sec
- Top Speed: 220 km/h
- Fuel Consumption: 7.2 l/100 km (claimed)
- Price: R 737,000
