Audi Q3 2.0 TDI quattro 2013 Review

The Q3 is Audi’s biggest selling model in Australia, narrowly ahead of the Q5. That should tell you something about our growing love affair with SUVs.

So a fiddle of the five-door compact Q3 wagon range is actually quite big news, even if it is only relatively minor.

Effectively, what Audi has done is streamline and tidy up the drivetrains a little bit. So now there is no front-wheel drive or manual gearbox offerings.

The primary impact is at the bottom of the range where the front-wheel drive 103kW TDI turbo-diesel six-speed manual gets traded in for quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The price goes up from $44,800 to $47,500 and the fuel consumption from 5.2L/100km to 5.8L/100km. The 0-100km/h claim stays the same at 9.9 seconds even though the kerb weight has climbed by 200kg according to the specs (although that figure has also been put at 70kg in the past).

There’s some equipment upgrades, options re-packaging and some other odds and ends that come with this update (see separate story).

But suffice to say, what we are looking at here is not a game changer for Q3, more just a tinkering.

So that means the fundamental way the Q3 2.0 TDI 103kW quattro S tronic … phew … drives is recognisable. And that’s pretty good news.

Despite the added weight the engine still feels adequately strong, only tending to be a bit soft at initial throttle tip-in when it has a bit of think time. Shifting S tronic into sport mode, or selecting gears manually via the lever (paddles are optional) tends to prod things along. Around town it will be unlikely to ever even occur to you play around with the gearbox as changes are commendably surreptitious.

The engine itself is also unobtrusive, with wind noise tending to be more obvious in the well damped interior.

The ride damping is also expertly tuned. The test car rode on 235/50 18-inch rubber rather than the standard 235/55 17s and maybe the slightly lower profile made the ride just a tad edgy. Certainly, Audi has tried to inject a little sportiness into the chassis, which exhibited a happy preference for controllable lift-off oversteer on gravel.

The quattro system comprises a multi-plate clutch in an oil bath that is electronically controlled and hydraulically operated. Fitted at the end of the prop shaft in front of the rear axle differential, it is nominally front-biased but varies drive from 100 per cent front to 100 per cent rear depending on the grip levels.

On tar the Q3 behaves with restrained discipline that provides both control and comfort. Its small size makes it a nippy handler for urban work and it responds well to its electro-mechanical steering.

Inside, the Q3 is efficiently packaged with room for four 180cm adults. Up-front the seats are flat but large and you ride high. In the rear the seating position is upright and head, knee and toe room is adequate. A bag per passenger should fit in the boot too, with a temporary spare slotted under the floor.

The interior is also presented to a very high standard, using quality materials that are nicely assembled. Incidentally, the Q3 is actually built at a SEAT plant in Spain. Just thought you’d like to know…

Also – and this is where the otherwise positive Q3 story hits a bit of a hiccup – it is actually parent Volkswagen’s Tiguan in disguise. Like the A1 is a Polo and the A3 is a Golf. The equivalent Tiguan is about $9000 cheaper before on-road costs. It misses out on some of the gear, isn’t as quiet or as upmarket inside, but it does get the important oily bits and it is a very good vehicle.

Of course, examine the pricing against the other German compact ‘premium’ SUV, the BMW X1, and the Q3 pricing looks much more competitive.

It’s the buyers’ choice to make the call. Judging by Q3 sales there are plenty of people who already have!

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