gave Q3 Audi is Australia’s best-selling vehicle, with 3250 deliveries by the end of September.
In doing so the Q3 beats out close rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1, although it falls behind the increasingly popular Volvo XC40.
While not the last word in excitement – unless you step up to the RSQ3 models, of course – it’s a solid and stylish premium contender.
It also offers what starts at a reasonable price. Q3 35 TFSI Entry form as executed here.
How much does the Audi Q3 35 TFSI cost?
A recent price hike (a sign of the times) took the entry price of the Audi Q3 into the base grade $50,600 before on-road costs.
Using a Victorian postcode, the Audi Q3 starts at an estimated price of $57,330 including dealer delivery, stamp duty, and registration.
By contrast, the entry price for the BMW X1 sDrive18i base model is $53,900 before it hits the road, while the Volvo XC40 Plus B4 is $52,990.
When you pay the privilege for a four-color badge, it’s not stratospheric unless you’re willing to give up some creature comforts and some extra horsepower. For example, a top-of-the-line Mazda CX-30 X20 Astina has a driveway price of just under $54,000 and a Volkswagen T-Roc R-Line comes in at just under $51,000 on the road.
What is it Like the inside of the Audi Q3 35 TFSI?
Audi makes good interiors and this Q3 is no exception. It’s certainly tough – silver trim accents aside – but built like a bank vault and offers great ergonomics.
The leather seats – somewhat inconsistent – are manually adjustable, but feel firm and offer a good level of thigh support.
Meanwhile the leather-wrapped and stitched steering wheel with fashionably small centerpieces is simply gorgeous.
Behind the wheel sits a large digital cluster with various modes (activated via wheel controls) beyond the humble tacho and speedo, the highlights of which I found to be large and user-friendly maps. The cluster also loads quickly without lag.
Audi designers kept the wheel spokes clean and simple by moving the cruise control operation to the stalk below the left-hand indicator.
The center stack includes high-mounted air vents below which sits a 10.1-inch haptic touchscreen integrated into the sleek piano black trim piece – the downside is that the material is a magnet for dust, fog and sun glare. .
The infotainment is user-friendly and quick to process inputs. There’s a fixed vertical shortcut toolbar on the right, and a home screen with eight large tiles to take you to key submenus, so you’ll struggle to get lost.
Highlights include Google-powered high-definition maps with speed limit readings and live traffic, and wireless smartphone mirroring. The effectiveness of the native voice control system left something to be desired, especially compared to the latest Mercedes-Benz MBUX system.
While clear enough, the reversing camera is pretty basic and at this price I’d expect a 360-degree overhead view for parking. Likewise, the 35 TFSI variant’s six-speaker sound system is fairly basic – serviceable, but not spectacular.
Thankfully, Audi has gone with physical hard controls for the climate control system, in the form of clicky-clicky buttons and elegantly knurled metallic dials that add a sense of class. Below that are the starter button and the volume dial.
Interior storage includes cup holders and a pokey-lidded console in the center tunnel, an open section with a Qi charge pad under the center stack, 1.5-liter bottle-compatible door bins, and a signature felt-lined glove box.
On 4484 mm From nose to tail, the Q3 is quite compact, yet I had acceptable knee and leg room behind my preferred driving position in the second row – which is great considering I’m quite tall at 194cm or 6’4.
However, the panoramic sunroof fitted to our test car cuts headroom.
Outboard seat bases are tall and supportive, with well-padded and adjustable headrests, though the middle seat is short and there’s a pronounced transmission tunnel hump despite this car being FWD.
Second-row amenities include air vents, USB points and a 12V socket mounted behind the center console, seatback nets, and a pull-down center armrest. Large side windows and a small piece of glass between the C- and D-pillars let in plenty of light.
On 530 liters, boot space is ample, and more capable than many SUVs that make up the segment. Flip the 40:20:40 seat base down and you get a large and only slightly angled loading area – I was able to fit two flat-pack bookshelves in there.
It’s actually quite capable and practical, and up to the task of transporting a young family in my estimation.
Dimensions of Audi Q3:
- length: 4484 mm
- width: 1856 mm
- Height: 1617 mm
- Wheel base: 2680 mm
- Boot space: 530 litres
- Turning circle: 11.8 m
- Ground clearance: 191 mm
What’s under the bonnet?
Power comes from the humble VW Group. 1.4 liter turbocharged petrol engine to create 110 kW And 250NmA six-speed S-Tronic is mated to a dual-clutch transmission.
It’s the same drivetrain used in the base ($41,390 before on-road costs) Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI.
While the Audi quattro is synonymous with all-wheel drive, the base Q3 35 TFSI is front-wheel drive only. To get more power and AWD you need to step up to the Q3 40 TFSI variant.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is 6.9 liters per 100 km Expected premium fuel consumption, and a comfortable zero to 100 km/h time with a single passenger. 9.3 seconds.
Audi claims that the braked trailer has a towing capacity. 1800 kg.
Audi Q3 35 TFSI Technical Specifications:
- engine: 1.4 liter turbo petrol
- power: 110kW at 5000 to 6000rpm
- Torque: 250Nm at 1500 to 3500rpm
- transfer: Six-speed dual clutch
- Drive Type: Front wheel
- 0-100 km/h: 9.3 seconds
- Oil Economy: 6.9 liters per 100 km
- Unladen Weight: 1545 kg
- GVM: 2055 kg
How does Audi Q3 35 TFSI drive?
There’s nothing particularly memorable about the way the base Q3 drives, it just works.
While its 110kW and 250Nm output is nothing to write home about, the arrival of peak torque from under 1500rpm gives you the low-speed rolling oomph that the 1.4-litre displacement belies.
The six-speed dual-clutch felt relatively well-behaved, and is fairly smooth until you really mash the accelerator suddenly at which point there’s a hint of indecisiveness. Once you’re rolling, reverse is smooth and quick to shift.
At low Australian highway speeds it’s a pleasure to doodling in sixth gear with excellent refinement levels.
I returned fuel consumption on an average drive loop of 7.2L/100km, which is well within the ADR claim. I also found the absence of stop-start a bit annoying.
Being front-wheel drive, it’s a tarmac-focused crossover, but the upside is its low curb weight. 1545 kg – 150 kg lighter than the base Q3 40 TFSI quattro variant.
If you want a bit more punch and the wet-road reassurance of AWD, said Q3 40 TFSI quattro offers a 132kW and 320Nm 2.0-litre engine and cuts the 0-100km/h time to 7.8 seconds. In which trade is inferior fuel. Efficiency of 8.0L/100km.
The electric power steering is very light, making the Q3 feel firm around town, though those wanting some feel and feedback will be disappointed. Audi’s trick variable-ratio steering that responds to your wheel angle is exclusive to higher-spec Q3 grades.
In terms of ride quality, VW Group cars on the ubiquitous MQB architecture such as this one allow for some tire roar on rough chipped roads, a rarity in Europe. But the Audi’s refinement levels are considerably better.
Ride quality on the passive dampers was a smidgen firm but not aggressive, though we should note that our test vehicle was riding on 19-inch wheels with slightly lower-profile tires so the base model without that option again. is slightly more comfortable than
what do you get
outside
- 18 inch alloy wheels
- Space saver spare wheel
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Adaptive LED headlights
- LED taillights, dynamic indicators*
- proximity key*
- Power tailgate
- Aluminum roof rails
- Light and rain sensors
inside
- Dual zone climate control
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Leather appointed seats, manual adjustment
- Floor mat
- Ambient Interior Lighting Package*
- Virtual Cockpit 10.25-inch instruments
- 10.1 inch touch screen display
- Satellite navigation with traffic updates
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Wireless
- Wireless phone charger
- Voice commands
- Digital radio receiver
- Four USB points and Bluetooth connectivity
- Six-speaker basic audio system
- Passive cruise control with speed limiter
- Reversing camera
- Indicates features that may not be available due to component shortages, check with your dealer.
authorities
A luxury car wouldn’t be a luxury car without some options.
- Style Package: $1950
- Body colored bumpers
- Silver interior
- Two 19-inch wheel options
- Comfort Package: $2600
- Power, heated front seats
- Powerful, heated, auto-dimming mirrors
- Auto dimming rear view mirror
- Adaptive cruise control
- Parking Package: $900
- Must be ordered with Comfort Package.
- 360 degree cameras
- Auto Parking Assist
- Panoramic sunroof: $2250
- 19-inch wheels: $1850
the color
- Ibis white
- Dal Orange*
- Kronos Gray*
- Fluorite Silver*
- Glacier White*
- Myths Black*
- Nano Gray*
- Navara Blue*
- Tango Red*
*Premium paint adds $1250.
Is Is the Audi Q3 35 TFSI safe?
The Audi Q3 has one. Five star ANCAP safety rating Based on Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2018.
The Q3 scored 95 percent for adult protection, 88 percent for child occupant protection, 76 percent for vulnerable road users, and 85 percent for safety assistance.
The 2018 Sealed Five Star Safety Rating is valid for all varieties sold in Australia Bar’s RSQ3 models, which do not have a safety rating from the organisation.
Passive safety features:
- Front, front side, curtain airbags
- First aid kit, warning triangle
- Indication of loss of tire pressure
- ISOFIX x 2 and top tethers x 3
Driver assistance features:
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Car to car
- Pedestrians (up to 85 km/h)
- Cyclists (up to 85 km/h)
- Lane Keep Assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Assist
- Audi Connect Emergency and Service
How much does Audi Q3 35 TFSI cost to run?
Audi Australia offers a Five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty For all vehicles registered or delivered after 1 January 2022. Older models were covered under the three-year plan.
You can purchase a servicing plan that includes five dealer services at 12-month or 15,000km intervals – whichever comes first.
Price was at the time of writing. $2970Average $594 per visit.
CarExpert’s take on the Audi Q3 35 TFSI
A base Audi Q3 in gray paint is nobody’s definition of interesting.
But it nevertheless offers a high-quality interior with plenty of technologies, acceptable driving character, and a price point close enough to the mainstream to warrant attention.
At the same time, the Volvo XC40’s standout design and the soon-to-be-launched new-generation BMW X1’s standout interior make me a more interesting choice at the sub-$55,000 price point.
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More: Everything Audi Q3