Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI Test Drive Review - How Does It Fare?

Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI

Audi launched the petrol version of their baby SUV, the Q3 2.0 TFSI in 2013 in India. Here is our review of the compact SUV, click further slides for a complete breakdown.

• Model tested: Petrol, 2.0 TFSI Quattro
• Car tested by: Ajinkya Paralikar
• Kilometres tested: 180 kms, Mumbai
• Price: INR 32.63 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)



Audi Q3 Exteriors

The Audi Q3, like other Audis, can be blindly trusted for fit and finish. Panel gaps are tight and the paint job is top notch. The fascia is reminiscent of big brothers Q5 and Q7, with the familiar large, hexagonal grille and two sporty air dams that lend it plenty of road presence. The Q3 features typically stylish headlights with C-shaped LED daytime running lights.



The aggressive lines of the Q3 are carried over to the rear with a combination of muscular creases, rounded sculpting and big fenders. The optional LED tail lights add to the bling factor while the steeply raked rear windscreen and dual exhaust lend the Q3 its distinctive sportiness.



Audi Q3 Interiors

The Audi interiors as usual are luxurious and are a perfect mix of grey and beige. We did not like the lone piece of wood on the dashboard, it looked out of place and could have been omitted. The gadgets are fuss-free and don't require much time to understand. The infotainment console is placed centrally but doesn't obstruct the driver's view and can be closed if need be.



The front seats of Q3 are exceptional and provide great support while driving. It can be adjusted to suit your driving comfort. The leather seats look upmarket and add that premium touch. But then again, we would not expect any less from the German luxury car manufacturer.



The Q3's rear seat can easily accommodate three people with a dedicated rear air-con for their comfort. The cream colour leather looks premium and seating is comfortable. Legroom is adequate even with the front seats pushed back. Individual headrests are provided for three occupants in the second row, but are best kept in their lowest position for improved visibility.



Boot Truth

The Q3 from Audi offers boot space of 460 litres, which can be further increased to an exceptional 1,365 litres. This can be achieved by folding the rear seats, which are split 60:40. We find the boot space to be more than adequate unless you plan to put a mountain bike in the rear, which could be a bit tough.



Audi Q3 Features

The Q3's instrument cluster sports an analogue speedometer and tachometer and a digital display in between them. The analogue dials give you information like speed, RPM, engine oil temperature and fuel level. The digital display has a trip computer and also informs you of distance covered, average speed, average fuel consumption, door open warning and more.



The infotainment system in the Q3 provides entertainment along with key information. You can play your music, radio, etc. and access the optional navigation, reverse parking guide and Bluetooth for additional connectivity.



Audi has kept the steering wheel clean and free of too many buttons and we thank them for it. The minimal buttons still provide loads of functions - you can control a host of features like music, entertainment, trip meters, distance to empty and so on.



Engine

The Q3 is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol, four-cylinder TFSI engine. It generates 211 horsepower and transfers it through the Quattro system, which means it provides power to all four wheels. The engine runs smooth and no engine noise creeps into the cabin.



Driving Impression

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is highly refined, but there is a hint of lag accelerating off the line. The Q3 feels confident on the road with very little body roll and understeer. We just wish the steering provided a little more feedback.

While the brakes work well enough, we would have preferred a tad more bite. We also felt that the ride was a bit stiff, especially on pot-hole-riddled Mumbai roads.



Transmission & Fuel Economy

The automatic transmission in Q3 is precise and gear changes are rarely felt. We liked the trigger-type mechanism that is used to change between driving modes. Audi offers a Sports Mode, which allows you to manually change gears.

People that buy an Audi are usually not too bothered about fuel efficiency. However, the Audi Q3 TFSI returned an overall 10.2 kpl during our test, which is decent compared to the ARAI certified 11.72 kpl.

Competitor factsheet: Mileage as certified by ARAI

BMW X1 - 17.05 kmpl (combined city and highway)



Verdict

Pros:

Superior driving ability
Loads of back support for the driver
Decent ground clearance
Luxurious interior
Premium leather upholstery
German build quality
Safety features

Cons:

Slight lag during acceleration off the mark
Single wood insert on the dashboard

X-factor:

The Q3 is a great SUV for those who want luxury mixed with practicality. However, the petrol model will attract very few buyers due to high running costs.

Value for money: 3/5
(Price: INR 32.63 lakh ex-showroom Delhi)

Our Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI review ends here. Do feel free to reach out to us for any queries or suggestions - we greatly value your feedback.



Audi Quattro System History

Quattro is Audi's patented four-wheel-drive system. The German car manufacturer introduced the system for the very first time at Geneva Motor Show on 3rd March 1980. Earlier Audi named their road/rally car as Quattro, and produced the car until 1991. The word Quattro stands for "four" in Italian, the German manufacturer now adds the Quattro moniker to all their four-wheel-drive models. The original car that had the Quattro name was called Ur-Quattro, which meant 'first of its kind'. It was originally developed by Jorg Bensinger in 1977, who believed it was ideal for sport activities.