2019 Audi Q3

We’ll fanboy more over the Q3’s cabin, which in its least expensive versions has handsome aluminum trim, pica-wide metallic rings around its controls, handsome and sharp high-definition screens that dance with on-the-go Google Earth maps in top versions—even day-glow orange trim banded across the dash. Audi’s moved gradually away from the austerity of its more recent interior looks and the combinations that can grace the Q3’s interior give it a youthful glow that the sheet metal just can’t match.

The Q3 wraps its sculpted hood around VW’s latest 2.0-liter turbo-4, which throws off 228 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque in this iteration. Those numbers have risen 28 and 51, respectively, and toss the Q3 to 60 mph more quickly than ever—7.0 seconds, Audi claims, with a top speed set at 130 mph. It’s kind of amazing, given that it weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the previous car; at about 3,900 pounds it’s carved apparently from a single ingot of cholesterol.

The turbo-4 has a life of its own. It growls like a Chihuahua that’s seen you steal its favorite toy. The 8-speed automatic that puts that bratty snarl down to the ground through standard all-wheel drive could use some better manners. It knocks off shifts like it’s punching in a timecard; any manually triggered shift gulps through the drivetrain like a hard swallow. The AWD system splits power front to rear simply for better traction, not for a monster-truck rally.

Fiddle with the Q3’s drive modes and the Q3 takes a slightly more keen powertrain set, but the strut-and-link suspension doesn’t change. We wouldn’t call it a relentless sameness, the road feel that all VW Group compact cars have—it’s a more reassuring, comforting one. It doesn’t stray far from the Q5 or A4, and the Q3’s tune has a similarly pleasant tautness; it thocks over bumps and snubs them like it’s plucked a thick rubber band, then dives through switchbacks like it’s hunting for a truffle. There’s about zero feedback in its steering but it stays centered well enough—better in Sport mode by a hair—but the numbness doesn’t detract from the Q3’s nimble, inline-skate composure.

The gains have elevated it from subcompact purgatory. In front the Q3’s supple, leather-trimmed sport seats have all the snuggly warmth Germany can muster—just clad in dark leather. Audi affords plenty of head room and outboard shoulder room. Only the driver's seat is power-adjustable on base models, but other models add passenger-seat power and all trims have heated front seats. We didn’t try out Audi’s base seat, so make sure you do—only the most expensive cars get the sport buckets.

The Q3’s back seat has expanded even more, all for the better—and it slides on a track of 5.9 inches, for very good flexibility between passengers and cargo. Head and shoulder room for two adults make no apologies, but the seat bottom is trimmed pretty far inboard, so three people won’t be comfortable for long trips.

The rear seat backs fold down for 48 cubic feet of cargo space in all. With the rear seat up and in its rearmost position, the Q3 holds 18.7 cubic feet (it’s 23.7 cubes with the seat moved forward on its track).

The rear seat’s almost good enough to gain an extra point here, and the same holds true for quality. Audi polishes the Q3’s spare cabin with bright orange trim or wood and two-tone leather, for a fee—and the woven synthetic headliner looks great and feels like it will last a million years. It’s affordably finished, with marvelous fit.

Outward vision is OK in the Q3, but thick rear pillars and tall back seat headrests cut into the view to the rear quarters.

Standard equipment on the $35,695 Q3 Premium base model includes power features, a panoramic roof, a 10.3-inch digital instrument display and an 8.8-inch center touchscreen, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with an AM/FM receiver, and keyless ignition.

Options include a 12.3-inch gauge display—Audi’s “virtual cockpit”—and a 10.1-inch center touchscreen that accepts handwritten input, a B&O 3D sound system, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. Rear side airbags are $350; a $1,600 bundle includes satellite radio, front and rear parking sensors, lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitors. An S line trim bundle is $1,300 and includes 19-inch wheels and aluminum door sills. Oh, and if you want anything other than white or orange paint, it’ll cost $595. 

The $38,795 Premium Plus has most of what we want and few extravagances; among Q3s, it’s the value choice. It gains a power-adjustable front passenger seat, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitors and lane-departure warnings, satellite radio, and full LED headlights. The S line trim package is $1,300, while navigation and the widescreen gauges with mapping are $2,000. A 15-speaker, 680-watt B&O sound system costs $850, and adaptive cruise is $800.

The $43,895 Prestige gets standard S line trim, the virtual-cockpit screen and a larger 10.1-inch center screen, the Bang & Olufsen sound system, adaptive cruise control, the surround-view camera system, and ambient interior lighting. Sport seats are $500, while orange inlay trim costs $350 and 20-inch wheels, $800.

Audi’s infotainment has moved smartly ahead with its digital gauge cluster and its Google Earth mapping, not to mention the wide screen on the center stack—which accepts handwritten input in its 10.1-inch size. Among the more complex setups we’ve sampled, Audi’s works best.