Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI (2020) Review: Perfectly formed but pricey

The Sportback body style is available with a choice between two turbo petrol engines, but our test vehicle arrived with the higher-output “40TFSI” option, which also adds quattro AWD to the package (the 1.4-litre “35TFSI” is FWD-only). At the time of writing, the Q3 Sportback is also only available in S-line trim, so those with more-modest tastes will be better served by a normal Q3.

 

Styling

Around the front end, it’s pretty much business as usual for modern Audis: frowning headlights and a gaping radiator grille, leading into a bonnet with sharp creases and front fenders with pronounced wheel arch blisters. There’s a pleasing angularity and definition to the front end and single frame grille, although this was hidden somewhat by the black test car’s gloss-black detailing (part of the optional Black Styling Package). This option would probably show up better with a different body colour...

The profile view is rather more interesting, because the rear roof pillar and rear glass are sloped more sharply, with a roofline that starts descending just behind the B-pillar. However, unlike some other such SUV-coupé mash-ups, the rear end is pert and sharply tapered, which blends well with the rear wheel arch flares and discreet lip in the tailgate. This largely manages to avoid the bloated look that often affects this body style.

As at the front end (and by now customary for Audi), the tail lamp clusters are all-LED, complete with sequential turn indicators. The picture is completed by stylish 19-inch alloy wheels – a no-cost option in the case of our test car, and much more attractive than the standard 18-inch items. All in all, a very successful styling effort, although it would likely look even nicer in a different colour.

Related: Get the full details on the Audi Q3 Sportback range in this launch report.

 

Engine and drivetrain

The engine might belong to the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 family, but it appears here in one of its lowest-output forms. It’s tuned to produce 132 kW and 320 Nm in this application, which is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and on-demand AWD. 

In something like a Polo, those outputs would be enough for stirring performance, but in the much-heavier Q3, the performance on tap is closer to adequate than it is to sparkling. Interestingly, the Sportback weighs exactly the same as the ordinary Q3, although the test car’s (optional) opening panoramic roof undoubtedly made the subject car even heavier.

Related: New vs old Audi Q3 – here are the top 3 differences.

 

Performance

It’s likely that the Q3’s portly kerb weight of 1 695 kg has a big effect here, with the AWD system being a significant contributing factor to its heft – the FWD-only 1.4-litre “35TFSI” variant weighs a cool 150 kg less than the AWD-only “40TFSI”. As a result, the claimed 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 7.8 seconds may appear to be somewhat optimistic, because on-road performance is sure and steady, but not exactly exhilarating. 

There’s no real kick in the back when you floor the accelerator, just a brief pause as the gearbox shuffles some cogs, followed by a smooth but constant flow of torque (starting at a mere 1400 r/min and staying until the rev counter is just shy of 4 000 r/min). The Q3 steps off the line quite smartly, but gearbox doesn’t deliver the flash-bang-rapid gearchanges one would expect from a dual-clutch unit. It’s clearly programmed with buttery smoothness as a priority, and actually behaves rather more like a conventional torque-converter automatic than it resembles a dual-clutch transmission.

Related: Which Audi Q3 trim depreciates the fastest?

 

The Drive

The word that perhaps best describes the Q3’s driving experience is “deliberate”. There’s an unhurried, gentlemanly feel to the entire car, the calculated result of turning the mass-market MQB platform into something that matches the driving feel of modern Audis. 

It’s effortless but removes much of the need for driver involvement, and instead relies on a very well-programmed traction management system to generate high cornering (and maintain high average) speeds. Handling is also sure-footed and resists understeer very well, and well within the demands made by the performance on tap.

However, this (seemingly) leisurely performance raises an interesting question: in a relatively low-powered car like a Q3 40TFSI, is there really a need for all-wheel drive? Sure, in inclement climates, the extra traction would come in handy, but we don’t really experience such conditions. Given Q3’s built-in heft and the engine’s progressive power delivery, is there really a need for the added weight and complexity inherent in the AWD system in most local driving conditions?

It’s not as though VW Group is unable to build high-powered FWD cars – the Golf GTI TCR uses a much more powerful version of the same engine, yet sends all its power to the front wheels. It’s easy to image how ditching quattro will enliven the whole driving experience in the Q3, much like the aforementioned GTI TCR is a whole lot more fun to drive (if less capable) than the similarly-potent Golf R. Counter-intuitively, keen drivers may thus be better served by a lighter, FWD Audi Q3, even if its “35TFSI” engine is less potent.

Related: When reviewing the new Audi Q3 40TFSI, we called it sublime, but also found the pricetag worrying. 

 

Fuel consumption

The AWD system likely also lies at the root of the Q3 40TFSI’s drinking habits. The official average consumption figure of 8.3 ℓ/100 km isn’t terribly impressive in itself, but the car manages to return even higher figures in real-world driving. Upon noticing faintly alarming mid-9 ℓ/100 km figures over the first few test days, we took the black Audi on a late-night freeway run the evening before it was collected. 

We did match Audi’s claim of 8.3 ℓ/100 km (according to the trip computer), but that was on clear roads at steady, mostly cruise-control-regulated speeds, and not as an average figure. Expect mid-to-high 9 ℓ/100 km averages in mixed-cycle driving, instead. Eliminating the driveline drag and weight of the AWD system will most likely result in lower consumption figures, giving yet another reason to let go of quattro...

Related: Watch this video review to find out more about the lower-powered Audi Q3 35TFSI.

 

Space and Comfort

This is an Audi, so a lovely cabin is a given. Inside, rich upholstery meet switchgear that operates with delightful consistency, and most of the plastics are of the soft-touch variety. The design is mostly ergonomically sound, although some key car features can only be accessed via the central colour touchscreen, and the audio system’s single control knob (for both volume and tuning) is located on the passenger side of the centre console. 

Front-seat occupants have plenty of breathing space, and the driver’s seat has adequate rearward travel to accommodate lanky physiques. Head- and shoulder room up front are also surplus to requirements, and the test car’s panoramic roof added natural light to help avoid any claustrophobia.

The rear seat passengers don’t have it so lucky, though. Due to the Sportback’s sloping roofline, rear headroom is compromised in comparison to the normal Q3, although leg- and shoulder room are still fairly generous. The coupe-ish styling also exacts a toll on the luggage- and utility space, and sees the cargo volume shrink from 550 litres in the normal Q3 to 530 litres in the Sportback. Maximum utility space also drops, from 1 525 litres to 1 400 litres. 

As for comfort, this test car missed out on the optional adaptive suspension, but its normal S line (sports) suspension still ensured a smooth overall ride quality, in spite of those upsized wheels. The seats are likewise well-shaped and supportive over long distances. Excellent noise suppression further enhances comfort levels, with negligible road roar or wind whistle to intrude on the peaceful cabin environment.

Related: Audi Q3 Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz GLA vs BMW X2 – which one is the best value for money?

 

Standard equipment

In spite of the Audi Q3 Sportback’s eye-widening pricetag, the standard equipment is reasonable if not outstanding. Audi’s beautiful digital cockpit makes it onto the standard spec sheet, as does dual-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, and leather/leatherette combination upholstery. 

Other standard equipment include cruise control, automatic LED headlights and wipers, sport suspension, variable-ratio steering, hill descent control, hill holder, rear parking sensors, and a colour touchscreen infotainment system (Audi MMI radio Plus) with smartphone integration and Bluetooth/USB-C compatibility. The options list is rather more interesting, but can make the Q3 a lot more expensive, too. 

Just the selection that was fitted to our test car added a cool R 175 150 to the substantial base price, and there were still unticked boxes left over. This car featured the optional navigation system, the upgraded digital cockpit, and parking sensors on both ends with a rear-view camera (how are these not standard?). 

The audio system received a bangin’ Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, with a panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlamps, lane-departure warning, Audi phone box (which includes cell signal amplification and wireless charging), electrically-adjustable and heated front seats, electric tailgate operation, and a towbar. 

Then consider that adaptive cruise control wasn’t even specified, and neither were automated parking, surround-view cameras, or keyless entry. Adding those must-haves to the list will likely elevate our Q3 Sportback’s price close to the million-Rand mark, so choose those options carefully when you order one.

Related: Check out these features during your Audi Q3 test drive!

 

Safety

Of course, all the safety specification requirements are met, although some options will definitely improve this area even further. Euro NCAP awarded the Q3 a full five-star rating in their testing programme, scoring 95% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 85% for standard safety assistance systems, and 76% for pedestrian safety.

Six airbags are standard, along with ABS, automatic emergency braking, stability control, driver attention monitor, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, electric child safety locks, and rear parking sensors, but this feature list could be expanded on the option sheet with all manner of cameras, driver aids and proximity sensors.

Related: The Top 5 Audi Q3 articles on AutoTrader.

 

Price

Here lies the rub: before adding any options, the Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI quattro S line carries a list price of R 737 000. That’s a serious pile of money for a car that, while very capable, lacks a bit of urge and passion, and where you need to add almost R 200 000 in options to get the really nice stuff. To be fair, its opponents (Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40, BMW X2) are also very expensive, but that doesn’t make the Q3’s pricetag (in either normal- or Sportback form) any more palatable. 

When you’re heading towards the million-Rand mark in a compact SUV-crossover, you’d expect stronger performance and/or better standard equipment than this Q3 Sportback offers, making that premium badge (and overall loveliness) its main drawcards. None of the cars in this market segment sell on value for money, but then, status symbols seldom do.

Related: How much are the repayments on a new Audi Q3 Sportback?

 

The Verdict

Make no mistake, the new Audi Q3 Sportback is a very desirable car. It’s good-looking, fairly practical, sure-footed, beautifully made, safe, and has fairly decent equipment levels even in base form. The problem comes with the list price, which is well into the territory where more space, features, and performance can be had by substituting the premium badge with a mainstream one. 

The Q3 Sportback caters to a very small market niche, where owners value exclusivity and styling impact instead of mundane, everyday considerations. Objectively, it’s a highly accomplished, high-tech car, but it carries some penalties in the practicality stakes and commands a significant price premium in return. We’re just not sure that this is the optimal Q3 configuration: it either needs more power to justify that AWD system, or it needs to adopt FWD and be done with it. Fortunately, there are some high-performance RS models in the pipeline, so speed freaks only need to be patient a little while longer...

Related: The top 3 things you need to know about the new Audi RS Q3.

 

* Pricing was accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice. 

** Included in the standard list price is a warranty for 2 years with no mileage limit, and a maintenance plan for 5 years or 100 000 km.

 

Expert rating:

4/5: Very accomplished, highly polished and good-looking, the Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI quattro stumbles over its weight and substantial pricetag.

 

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