WASHINGTON — Smaller crossovers are the next big thing in the automotive world, and in the last few months I’ve driven six or seven new little crossovers. Now, the German luxury brands have hopped into the ring with their offerings, and Audi has been selling one in Europe for a few years. Now, we have it here.
The Q3 looks a lot like the larger Q5 — so much so that I have to see them together or look at the badge to tell them apart. It’s not a bad thing if the smaller, less-costly model looks the same as its bigger brother, but it does look more dated now. I may be in the minority on that as many of these new Audi Q3’s are on the roads around here.
For 2016, Audi did a nip and tuck to the front end, to bring it more in line with the current Audi look, including the bigger one-piece grill. The rest of the exterior looks like the larger Audi Q5 on a smaller scale, and there’s some chrome trim around the side windows to add a bit more appeal. Standard 18-inch wheels look fine on this car, but spending an extra $800 for larger 19-inch wheels would look better on this ride.
Audi is known for a nice, upscale interior, and this Q3 is no different. For a car that’s priced around $36,000 with AWD, it comes nicely equipped, with comfortable 12-way power adjustable seats that have heated leather. The rear seats are good for three children — two adults should have no problem at all back there. The standard panoramic roof adds good light, and it’s a large sunroof when open.
The materials are upscale throughout the interior, and some aluminum trim pieces add color. The rear cargo area seems small, but the tradeoff is more rear seat space. The power tailgate is a nice option, and you can open it from the remote. But beware: You can’t close it with the remote. My tester had the $2,600 Technology package and includes the MMI NAV system, which is pretty good, but the controller, usually in the center console, is in the middle of the dash — a strange placement.
The Audi Q3 is a small crossover, so the only engine offered is a four-cylinder turbo unit with 200 hp — enough power for most situations. It only feels a bit low-powered when loaded and merging in with traffic or heading up large inclines at highway speeds.
The smooth, quiet ride impressed me, even over the not-so-nice roads in our area now — and the wind and tire noise was kept in check similar to much more expensive vehicles. The smaller size made it easy to maneuver in the city, and fit into some tighter spots. The camera and parking system made it easy. With a smaller engine, I thought the fuel economy would have been better than the 23 mpg combined, although it did better at 24.5 mpg with a good amount of highway driving over the course of 320 miles.
If you’re in the market for a little crossover that delivers on luxury in a more cost-effective way, the Audi Q3 deserves a peek. With an upscale interior and a competent, smooth, quiet ride, the little Q3 delivers the goods for a starting price under $35,000. Luxury from a premium brand doesn’t have to break the bank; it can just look like it did.
