Audi has pulled the wraps off of their latest offering and a fresh new entry into the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment for the brand. The Audi Q3 Sportback blends coupé-like styling with the practicality of a compact SUV, into a package that is aimed at the style-conscious, well-heeled individual that desires a quality product.
Recent trends show that the CUV segment of the SUV market is growing, with CUV sales accounting for 17% of the SUV sales last year, a figure that is up by 3% over the year before it. One can thank the likes of the GLC Coupe and BMW X4 for this growing trend, with coupe-like styling in SUVs being traced back to the original BMW X6, an experiment that paid dividends.
Related: BMW X2 vs Audi Q3 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: which one is the best value for money?
While it would have made sense to create a dedicated slot for the Q3 Sportback and dub it the Q4, the Audi e-tron has snapped up the segment and it was thought best to diversify the popular Q3 stable instead.
Styling
The Q3 Sportback is not too dissimilar from the regular Q3 but it is only the wheelbase that remains the same. The Q3 Sportback is 6 mm narrower than the Q3 and 29 mm lower. It is 16 mm longer and the total load volume, with the seats folded flat, only suffers to the tune of 125-litres.
It retains the octagonal grille that is characteristic of the Audi Q-series and features the unmistakeable quattro blister arches as a throw-back to the 40-year heritage of Audi Quattro. Under these arches rests a set of 18-inch wheels with 19-inch rims an optional extra. The new Audi Q3 Sportback is only available in S-Line trim but consumers will have the option of choosing from ten different colours, including the model-specific Chronos grey as well as Ibis white, Pulse orange, Turbo blue and several other colours.
The most striking angle for the Q3 Sportback is the rear three-quarter that presents the sloping roofline and narrow rear window. Admittedly, this does encroach on rearward visibility and the hefty C-pillars create a larger than ideal blindspot, but it's a small price to pay for the attractive styling that reminded me of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
Interior
In keeping with the current design architecture of the Q-series, the Q3 Sportback retains the horizontal design elements and large digital displays that we've come to expect from the brand. The initial perceived quality is every bit Audi but closer inspection will remind you that this isn't the flagship model with slightly cheaper plastics used in a few areas.
Standard fitment is an 8.8-inch digital display system with the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit system an optional extra. The MMI features the latest operating system that remains familiar for those that have used a recent Audi product. The optional MMI Navigation Plus system supports wireless screen mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and when one selects the Communication Package, you get wireless charging as well.
A Bang & Olufsen audio system compliments the infotainment system for accurate and true audio reproduction.
One of the areas where coupé-styled SUVs often suffer is in the rear, the sloping roof-line cutting into the headroom provided for the rear passengers. While no different in the Q3 Sportback, rear passengers under 6-ft will manage just fine with ample legroom to boot.
Drivetrain
Only two engine options are available on launch, a 1.4-litre 110 kW and 250 Nm, 35 TFSI and the range-topping 2.0-litre 132 kW and 320 Nm, 40 TFSI that we sampled. The 35 TFSI is fitted with a 6-speed S-tronic gearbox while the 40 TFSI gets the 7-speed S-tronic unit. The 35 will do the 0 - 100 km/h sprint in 9.3-seconds while the 45 is a fraction quicker at 7.8-seconds. The largely improved acceleration times is, in part, thanks to the quattro all-wheel-drive that is present in 40 TFSI models only.
We found the 40 TFSI to feel the weight of the Q3 Sportback chassis and were honestly expecting a little more in the way of performance. The conservative programming of the gearbox didn't help the cause any and in anything but Sport mode (or Dynamic in the Drive Select system) required a generous prod of the throttle in order to change down a gear when encountering an incline or looking to pass. This weight could be felt under braking as well with the Q3 Sportback lacking the same progressive bite that one expects from an Audi.
There is no plan to introduce a diesel model at this stage, but you can look forward to the high-performance RS Q3 Sportback in the first quarter of 2021.
Driver systems and safety
Driver assistance systems form a large part of the appeal of luxury offerings, safer travelling for you and the family and Audi has made sure that the Q3 Sportback has a decent complement of driver assistance systems to make living with the product that much easier and convenient.
The Q3 Sportback is fitted with Pre-Sense Basic as standard as well as land departure warning and Park Assist for hands-free parking manoeuvres. You will get a 360-degree camera to further assist with ventures into and out of tight spots.
Optional packages
To aide with the buying process, Audi has streamlined the packages availed to the Q3 Sportback. These packages consist of options that are often specified together and makes it more likely for you to get a version off the floor that has the options you desire, without having to wait.
They're offering packages for the following:
- Comfort
- Technology
- Sport
- Parking
- S line interior
- Black styling
Pricing
The Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI S-tronic retails for R693 000 while the Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI quattro S-tronic will sell for R737 000 before options. Both models are sold with Audi's 1-year / Unlimited km warranty and a 5-year / 100 000 km Freeway Plan.
Verdict
The Q3 Sportback certainly strikes an imposing figure and presents itself as a luxurious offering. It feels the part too, notwithstanding the small criticisms of some of the material choices. It's agreeable and pleasant to drive but drops the ball in the sporty pretensions, let down by the muddy gearbox programming and lacklustre engine. For many, this will be forgivable as they go about the daily grind but for those looking for the go to match the show, they will have to wait for the RS Q3 Sportback.
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