- Third-gen Audi Q3 SUV revealed
- ‘Muscular’ and ‘confident’ new design
- PHEV model gets a 74-mile EV range
- Petrol and diesel engines up for grabs
- No sign of the hot RS variant
Audi has launched the third generation of its best-selling Q3 SUV, with plug-in hybrid variants now boasting a whopping 74-mile EV driving range.
The Q3 is something of a sweet spot in the Audi range, being a compact SUV that offers plenty of room for passengers while also being nimble enough to pilot through city traffic.
And now a facelift for the Q3 makes it more tempting to lease than ever.
The makeover sees it being handed ‘muscular’, ‘dynamic’ and ‘confident’ new looks, according to Audi, while the PHEV engine could drive down your fuel bills.
If you don’t want electrification just yet, though, fear not, because you can still get your mitts on traditional petrol and diesel mills.
You’re looking here at the traditional Audi Q3 SUV - though an updated Q3 Sportback is due to be released in due course.
Audi Q3 design
At the front there’s a wide new grille with Audi’s now-signature teardrop headlights. Those tapered lights make the Q3 appear more menacing and purposeful than before, as if it’s glaring at you for just accidentally spilling its drink.
There’s an LED light strip at the rear with an illuminated Audi logo (standard on the S line trim and above).
The Q3’s cabin boasts a new steering wheel control unit that creates more space in the centre console while the side windows come as standard with noise-deadening acoustic glass.
All of that means extra comfort for drivers and passengers. And comfort is also enhanced by an uprated suspension set-up that offers adaptive damping on certain models.
Audi says the Q3’s boot now measures 488 litres - which is reduced from the outgoing model, which offers 530 litres.
The good news here, however, is that the Q3’s rear bench of seats slides forwards and backwards on rails, meaning you can find the perfect balance between boot space and legroom for rear passengers.
Audi Q3 engines
Your entry-level engine is the 1.5-litre 150 PS four-cylinder petrol unit with mild-hybrid tech, which is mated to a seven-speed ‘S tronic’ automatic gearbox as standard. A more powerful petrol engine with 204 PS will launch later this year.
A 2.0-litre TDI diesel is also available with 150 PS and is ‘particularly suitable for driving long distances’, says Audi.
Above that is the 2.0-litre, all-wheel drive ‘TFSI quattro’ 265 PS petrol powertrain.
But the most potent engine of all is the plug-in hybrid set-up, which offers 272 PS and 400 Nm of torque.
This ‘e-hybrid’ Q3 replaces the old ‘TFSI e’ plug-in hybrid and more than doubles the EV range to a max of 74 miles. It’s underpinned by a 25.7 kWh battery which can charge up to 50 kW DC under ideal conditions, taking the energy from 10%-80% in less than half an hour.
You will, though, have to wait a while longer for the Q3 e-hybrid, as it won’t launch properly until later this year.
The other bit of Q3 engine news is that the discontinued Audi RS Q3 - a little rascal of a performance SUV that had power of 400 PS and could accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds - doesn’t look like making a comeback any time soon.
Audi Q3 trim levels
At launch, the Audi Q3 will offer three trims; Sport, S Line, and Edition 1.
The entry-level Sport grade features 18-inch alloys, ‘Comfort’ suspension, LED lights, Sport bumpers, acoustic glass, cloth upholstery, heated front seats, a sliding rear bench of seats, three-zone air con, 12.8-inch MMI panoramic curved display with a 11.9-inch virtual cockpit, wireless charging, and safety tech like adaptive cruise control, self-parking wizardry, and a 360-degree display.
Mid-range S Line models get larger 19-inch alloys, unique S Line bumpers and exterior styling, privacy glass, LED headlights with a selectable light signature, a continuous light strip at the rear with illuminated Audi rings, leather/synthetic leather upholstery, black cloth headlining, a flattened three-spoke leather steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals.
The range-topping Edition 1 trim adds 20-inch rims, performance suspension with progressive steering, the Black styling pack, Digital matrix LED headlights, an uprated cabin with microfibre, heated steering wheel, and improved semi-autonomous driving tech with rear traffic alert and a lane change system with exit warning system.
Prices begin at £38,300 for the entry-level Sport model with a 150 PS petrol engine.
Audi Q3 rivals
The biggest rival to the Audi Q3 is the BMW X1, though there are other alternatives.
The VW Tiguan is slightly larger and could be more affordable to lease (our lease deals change all the time so keep an eye on our special offers) while the Volvo XC40 is well worth a look.
The MINI Countryman is only marginally smaller than the Audi Q3 and was recently revamped.
Meanwhile you might even be tempted in a Range Rover Evoque lease, with the baby SUV still offering bags of appeal.
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