Buying a used Audi Q3 (2012-19)

Those thinking that major car-makers only recently became interested in China will have missed the news about the Audi Q3 and its origins.

The concept for a higher-riding, compact all-wheel drive passenger vehicle with three drive modes and 150kW from a four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was originally displayed at the Shanghai motor show in 2007.

Four years later, the production Audi Q3 was revealed, also at the Shanghai show. It used a Passat B6 platform and sold into diverse markets including Europe, India, Brazil and China, with various, mainly 2.0-litre engines, S-tronic automatic or six-speed manual transmissions.

Australia received its first deliveries of the Audi Q3 during 2012, with petrol and diesel engines producing up to 155kW. The basic Q3 was a front-wheel drive turbo-diesel with manual transmission, but just $12,000 away was the most powerful 2.0-litre petrol model with AWD and mandatory S-tronic transmission.

The 2013 Geneva motor show displayed a Q3 with significantly more power and heightened market appeal. The Audi RS Q3 packed 228kW and 420Nm of torque beneath its chunky nose and drove via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

A year later came a mild restyle, accompanied by some extra power for the diesel engines. In 2015, Audi introduced a more significant styling change involving the grille and lights, accompanied by equipment upgrades including a standard rear-view camera.

By now, the Q3 in its widespread markets could access nine versions of the petrol engine and nine diesels. In Australia, the choices were less generous.

The first-generation Q3 continued until a second iteration emerged overseas in 2018, including a wider, lower Sportback version, but it took until October 2019 for the second-generation models to land in Australia.

• DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) dual-clutch transmissions have suffered a range of durability issues over their lifetimes
• Symptoms include shuddering when accelerating, slip and reluctance to downshift

Searching carsales listings for early manual versions of the Audi Q3, we found just one example – and it had a petrol engine, not the turbo-diesel that was initially listed as being the cheapest Q3.

Looking at front-wheel drive versions of the Q3 that you will be able to buy, we found cars that were all automatics but with a choice of petrol or turbo-diesel engines.

Prices were enticing as well, with good Q3 quattro models available at less than the price of some Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs in similar condition.

With the Volkswagen, you won’t get the ‘look at me’ grille with its interwoven rings. Nor will you discover the way Audi can make its cars feel that bit more plush and solid than others of similar origins.

Options were (and remain) a big deal for Audi and its customers, with a list that quite literally could double the price of a basic version should you tick every box.

Externally, black was the only colour at launch in March 2012 that didn’t come at an extra cost, with the three metallic finishes all adding $1150.

On top of the paint cost and well worth having was the $2050 Selective Damper package. Should you need to attract any extra attention, the Styling Package included 19-inch wheels and cost an exorbitant $6200.

Standard features in TDI diesel and TFSI petrol versions were adequate at their price point, with leather seats in all models but no power adjustment unless you paid an extra $1700 for the sports versions.

The stock stereo was MP3-compatible with eight speakers but, again, a superior Bose system with more functions was available for more money.

Least costly of the AWD (quattro) cars was a TFSI with 120kW, followed by the 130kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Just $1500 dearer, but with 25kW extra, was the most powerful turbo-petrol model in the Q3 range: the 155kW TFSI.

But wait. As 2015 rolled into view, the Q3 market grew more interesting as a low-slung hero car joined the range.

The Audi Q3 RS was essentially a hot hatch with a bit more space than most. It came as a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol with 228kW of power and 450Nm of torque available from a rock-bottom 1600rpm.

Nappa leather seats with electric adjustment, extra sensors and a reversing camera helped with comfort and safety. Big wheels, eight-pot callipers and paddle shifters combined with 5.0sec for the 0-100km/h dash to produce a competent and very involving performance car, even though it did cost around $83,000.

Safety was at the forefront of Audi’s Q3 packaging. Airbags hid almost everywhere, plus there were stability and traction controls and a rear park distance warning.

With the Q3’s resilient construction, it scored 35.15 out of 37 in Euro NCAP occupant protection tests and easily earned a five-star safety rating. The vehicle tested was a FWD diesel but the rating, based on testing conducted in 2012, applied across the range – and in Australia under ANCAP, too.

By 2017 with an updated Q3 range on sale in Australia, available versions again began with the entry-level TDI at $44,800 plus on-road costs, followed by a TFSI quattro manual at $47,000 and auto version $1950 more.

These respectively had 103kW and 125kW, with the next step a $5500 leap to the 130kW turbo-diesel quattro. Finally at $56,000 there remained the 155kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, but there was as yet no RS replacement.

Interesting and responsive are words that describe driver responses to the Audi Q3.

Most cars in the market are turbo-diesels so you get used to accessible torque at low speeds. That is despite a DSG transmission that might fight back if you try making it drop ratios faster than it likes.

When evaluating a used car, it is normally only possible to conduct a quick test in low-speed urban conditions, and that won’t show the Q3 in its best light. This is a car designed to comfortably and economically gobble distance and anyone buying a Q3 with highway or rural road use in mind should not be disappointed.

The all-wheel drive system is tuned to paved-road use, with off-roading or even rough roading seemingly discouraged. It was hard to find a test locally or anywhere that showed a Q3 interacting with loose gravel.

With help from the ‘electronic differential lock’, the quattro will probably do a decent job of dealing with moderate snow cover, however if directed to fit chains don’t argue too hard on the basis of it being a four-wheel drive.

Brakes fitted to all Q3s are well suited to their tasks, with the ones on RS versions unlikely to wilt even under the pressures of a track day.

The same can be said for the RS seats, which deliver terrific lateral grip while occupants are experiencing the mid-bend traction being delivered by 35-profile tyres.

Back in the world of the Q3 turbo-diesel, there are decently shaped seats and a steering wheel that is going to suit most people, plus nicely visible instruments.

Vision all round is good, although the back corners might disappear when reversing into dark parking slots. A lot of Q3s do come with reversing cameras and they also have a warning beeper.

Throttle response with any of the engines is reportedly very good and the diesel’s low-down torque is particularly handy.

Deciding between petrol or diesel will usually hinge on relative fuel consumption, but there are other factors to consider. If you’re looking at owning the car for a period of years, then the maintenance advantages of a diesel come to the fore. If you change cars regularly and don’t travel big annual distances, a turbo-petrol with a lower buy-in price will be preferable.

For those still concerned about fuel, the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol will average 5.9L/100km, with 5.2L/100km typical at steady highway speeds.

If you choose the 2.0-litre TDI, visits to the pump will be less frequent with a 5.4L/100km average and significant 4.6L/100km reading on the highway.

Only until they start to sprout long legs and bulky bodies. Space is the issue with the Audi Q3, especially boot space when the back seat is occupied and can’t be folded to accommodate extra cargo.

The rear seat is fairly highset though, helping when installing and removing small children from their safety capsules.

• DSG dual-clutch transmissions displayed various kinds of aberrant behaviour, so avoid a car where the transmission shudders when accelerating from low speeds, is hesitant when downshifting and slow to react when manually operated.
• Engines in pre-2015 Q3s were impacted by Volkswagen Group ‘dieselgate’ software, intended to deliver enhanced and misleading emissions results. Performance wasn’t affected and cars involved should have by now been modified to comply.
• Overseas models suffer failures of the sunroof seal, allowing water to enter the cabin. When test driving a sunroof-enabled Q3, open the roof to inspect the seals and check the headlining for any dampness.

RedBook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for Audi Q3 (2012-19)
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 13/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 15/20 (RS)
Score: 72/100

Also consider:
BMW X1; Peugeot 3008; Volkswagen Tiguan