How is the Audi Q3?
4 Answers
Audi Q3 is an SUV based on the same PQ35 platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, positioned below the Q7 and Q5 in Audi's model lineup. To differentiate it from Volkswagen models, the Audi Q3 has been tuned for more dynamic driving performance and features a luxurious, distinctive exterior. It comes equipped with adaptive dampers, similar to those found on the TT. Advantages of the Audi Q3: Sporty design with innovative headlight and taillight styling; high-quality interior craftsmanship, good configuration, and strong technological feel; solid power; comfortable handling with excellent body stability. Configuration details: The standard gasoline model is equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.0TFSI engine, while the top-tier Q3 model features the 211-horsepower 2.0TFSI engine from the Q5, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.9 seconds. The 2.0TDI diesel engine delivers a maximum power of 140 horsepower.
You've come to the right person asking about the Q3 – I've been driving one for two years. The 1.4T model is perfectly adequate for city commuting, and the S mode makes overtaking quite snappy. The interior features soft-touch materials throughout, and the infotainment screen supports CarPlay, which is super convenient – though the manual seat adjustment in the base model feels a bit cheap. The space is larger than I expected; you can fit two child seats in the back and still squeeze in a slender adult. The fuel efficiency is a real surprise – even in Shanghai's stop-and-go rush hour traffic, it barely exceeds 8L/100km. The suspension is tuned for comfort, handling speed bumps with just two soft thuds, much more forgiving than the X1 next door. However, I have to complain about the storage compartments – my phone and wallet are always jostling for space, something they really should learn from Japanese cars.
Last week, I accompanied my bestie to pick up her Q3 Sportback, and the fastback design is absolutely stunning. She chose the Daytona Gray with red interior, and when the ambient lighting turns on at night, it feels like stepping into a little bar. The 2.0T engine delivers a satisfying push-back feeling when accelerating but doesn’t jerk, making it especially user-friendly for women. The touchscreen responds three times faster than my old A4, and the wireless charging pad fits an iPhone 13 perfectly. However, the rear window is indeed small, and it takes a few days to get used to checking the rearview mirror. The trunk surprisingly fit two 28-inch suitcases with room to spare, and my bestie’s foldable stroller could be placed upright. The dealership offered six years of free maintenance, which is a relief, though adding the lane change assist option cost an extra 8,000 yuan, which stung a bit.
Compared the X1 and GLA before settling on the Q3. The BMW's three-cylinder shakes like a sieve during cold starts, and the Mercedes even makes you pay extra for a backup camera. Audi's virtual cockpit comes standard across the lineup, and they don't skimp on safety features like tire pressure monitoring. The steering feels light and effortless – I can maneuver in parking lots with one hand. The rear seat cushions are 3cm longer than the previous model, so my mother-in-law stopped complaining on long trips. Big plus: the auto start-stop can be permanently disabled! Though the base audio system sounds like a junk radio – worth spending 7k extra for the B&O. Holds value well too – still worth 70% after three years.
