Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro 2020 Review

The latest style-driven 'coupe-ish' small SUV to hit Aussie roads, the Audi Q3 Sportback, is more handsomely equipped than Brad Pitt doing home renovations.

Making driving a little easier and more seamless, standard features in all Australian model grades include keyless entry and engine start, dual-zone climate control, a gesture controlled (kick) power-operated tailgate, leather-appointed seats, a wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay. Android Auto works but you'll need to plug it in via USB.

Audi’s latest Sportback is kitted out plenty of options, including regular USB-A and faster-charging USB-C ports front and rear – four USB ports in total.

There are currently two full-time model-grades available in Australia, the Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI ($49,900) and the Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI ($61,900), along with a limited-run Launch edition ($54,450). The bahn-storming Audi RS Q3 Sportback will arrive from around August 2020, priced at $92,900 plus ORCs.

All models come with at least 19-inch alloy wheels, lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive LED headlights and a fully-digital 10.2-inch instrument panel (or virtual cockpit in Audi-speak) plus a 10.1-inch infotainment touch-screen with sat-nav and loads of extra online info, such as weather, live traffic, Google Earth overlays and even fuel prices.

Step up to the Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI and you get classy-looking 20-inch rims, a larger 12.3-inch version of the virtual cockpit, a 360-degree surround parking camera system, tinted rear windows, auto-dipping high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, steering wheel paddle shifters, a better stereo and electric front seats – which should be standard on all models if you ask me.

In terms of interior packaging there's good room for front occupants and rear seat room is pretty good for a small SUV. The fitment of air-vents and USB ports in the back is notable, and the back seats can be adjusted for more leg room and reclined too.

While Audi says boot space is the same as the regular Q3 at 530 litres – which is pretty decent for a vehicle of this size – it's only measured up to the cargo blind. Taller and bulky objects simply won't fit due to the sloping nature of tailgate.

The curvaceous roofline also prohibits the fitment of roof rails, so if you want ski racks for example you'll be better off with the regular – and cheaper – Audi Q3.

Most of the launch drive was spent in the up-spec Audi Sportback 40 TFSI, which Audi says will be the go-to choice for most buyers, and it gets a bigger, better and fancier 12.3-inch virtual cockpit than the base grade's 10-inch model.

Bigger is always better – and if anyone says otherwise, they're lying.

Audi's virtual cockpit is one of the best digital instrument clusters on the market because it's not only highly functional, legible and customisable via the steering wheel controls, but also aesthetically pleasing in the way it's integrated into the dashboard. By comparison, the Mercedes equivalent looks like a tablet glued to the dashboard.

There's a new central 10.1-inch infotainment touch-screen that does away with the usual rotary dial and thankfully the menu system – arguably the most intuitive in its class – is super easy to navigate.

Both big screens also have Google Earth map overlays that look great and other clever tech features include the big wireless phone charging pad and both USB-A and USB-C ports.

You can also connect two phones simultaneously via Bluetooth – good if you've got a burner phone and need to undertake covert ops.

Entry-level Q3 Sportback 35 models get a six-speaker stereo that is OK. The Q3 Sportback 40 get a 10-speaker audio system that we didn't test, because our model was equipped with the optional 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. Dialled in to the digital radio tuner, it sounded lush and at $900 is worth every penny if you value audio fidelity.

The voice control system in the city-savvy Audi SUV is very good – I hit the speak button and said "play digital radio triple jay" without knowing the rules and it whipped up the tunes quick smart.

While optional on the base-grade Q3 Sportback 35 – and only available as part of a $2600 comfort package, which also adds heated and power-operated electric front seats – adaptive cruise control works well but the lane-keeping system standard on all models is average at best and far less assertive than new Audi A6’s system.

Nevertheless, the Audi Q3 Sportback is packed with other safety equipment including adaptive LED headlights, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection, tyre pressure monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and six airbags, gifting it a maximum five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

The only thing I really missed here was a head-up display, which should be part of the deal when you're spending $60,000-plus.

The entry-level Audi Q3 Sportback 35 is powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

It's a refined little set-up – smoother and quiet – and while it's no powerhouse (it accelerates slower than a clapped-out Mitsubishi Magna wagon with 200,000 clicks on the clock; the official 0-100km/h claim is 9.3sec), it gets up a boogies when you need it to.

The 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (132kW/320Nm) in the Audi Q3 Sportback 40 has a little more sizzle (0-100km/h in 7.8sec) a better seven-speed automatic transmission and enhanced grip levels thanks to its quattro all-wheel drive setup.

But the latter adds significant weight (1545kg v 1695kg), which blunts some of its performance. And the 2.0-litre engine is also a little coarser than the 1.4 when you rev it hard.

Both models come with a 'drive select' toggle that allows drivers to adjust the steering and powertrain performance to suit the situation, whether it's cruising or careening.

Fuel economy isn't great in either model, although the Q3 Sportback 35’s claim of 7.3L/100km matched our real-world testing. The lowest I saw was 5.2L/100km on the freeway.

The Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI has claimed fuel consumption of 8.3L/100km and our real-world figure was 9.1L/100km, dropping to around 6.0L/100km during freeway driving.

Like most modern cars today, driving the Audi Q3 Sportback is a doddle. Hit the start button, slot it into gear, hit the auto climate-control button and away you go.

The drive experience is generally very smooth and seamless, with no surprises to report from the powertrain or suspension. It's a pleasure to drive around the suburbs thanks to good forward vision, but rearward vision is so-so due to the tiny rear windows.

Overall, ride comfort in the 40 TFSI is pretty impressive considering it rolls on big 20-inch alloys. You can get optional two-stage adaptive dampers ($1700) but Audi has done such a good job of balancing comfort and dynamics here I don't reckon it's necessary.

The Audi Q3 Sportback is not as stiff-legged as I expected, but is still fun to drive when you pump it hard on zig-zagging mountain roads. There's not a lot of body roll – it sits flat through corners – and the brakes offer plenty of power, really good feel and impressive response.

Seat comfort is very good as, are ergonomics and control placement, and while I would prefer a few more cup-holders, two is sufficient for my morning double-down ritual of decaf soy latte and ginseng-ginger tea.

The Audi Q3 Sportback is a well-executed machine with one of the most elegant interior fit-outs in its class. With enough eye-candy to prompt remarks from your passengers, it offers loads of tech but without the complexity seen from some luxury brands when it comes to the digital world.

But while the $3500 price premium brings bigger wheels, an S line body kit and of course the sloping rear roofline that gives the Audi Q3 Sportback a sportier look and feel than the regular Q3, it's a less pragmatic vehicle.

And like most luxury vehicles these days there's an abundance of expensive options – six of the nine exterior paint colours add $1250 alone. You could get a second-hand home sauna for that much!

Price premium and compromises aside, the Audi Q3 Sportback makes a positive first impression and is definitely worth a test drive if you're looking for a small luxury SUV that stands out.

How much does the 2020 Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro cost?
Price: $61,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 188g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)