2018 Audi Q3 indepth review

The Audio Q3 SUV marks the beginning of the German carmaker’s SUV line up in India and was launched in the subcontinent back in 2012. The Q3 received its midlife facelift in 2015 and has been updated again in 2017 before the arrival of the all-new Audi Q3 in 2018. The Audi Q3 has been one of the highest selling models for Ingolstadt-based manufacturer in India.

The Audi Q3 gets the typical Audi looks with the large hexagonal grille taking centre-stage with the chrome four-ring logo. The headlamps are styled like the A4 sedan and are now LED units with signature LED daytime running lamps. Amongst the entry-level premium luxury SUVs, the Q3 is the largest in its segment and the size is accentuated by the tall stance slightly flared wheel arches. The tail design is sleek with the elongated tail lamps are the minimal contours.

The interior is plush and is upholstered in leather. Panoramic sunroof is now standard along with three-zone climate control and an electric power steering. The Audi Q3 seats five and the light coloured cabin is spacious. The Q3 offers loads of boot space and the flat loading lip is convenient. The dashboard is functional and the design has been kept simple. It gets a waterfall centre console with the display screen for the infotainment system that is operated through the fob or the steering mounted controls. For safety, it has six airbags and an electronic stability program that uses traction control, ABS and EBD in sync to ensure that the car stays in control.

Under the hood of the Audi Q3, you have the tried and tested 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that pumps out 180bhp of power for the all-wheel-drive models while it pumps out 150bhp for the 2WD cars. Both the setup come mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0-litre diesel engines have been revised post and deliver 16.84kmpl of fuel economy as certified by the ARAI.

The Audi Q3 competes with the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the BMW X1 and the Mini Countryman amongst compact luxury SUVs.