Drivers in Reno and Carson City, Nevada, and Rocklin, California, are seeking a gifted subcompact luxury crossover that excels when it comes to a wide range of subjects. Ranked among the honor roll is the freshman of the Audi lineup: the Audi Q3.
The advisory team at Audi Reno Tahoe has put together this report to educate you about the Q3. Want to go to the head of the class? Use it as a study guide to learn more about this grade-A SUV!
EXTERIOR COLORS
MAX HORSEPOWER
EPA-ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY
MAX CARGO CAPACITY
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
HEATED FRONT SEATS
NHTSA SAFETY RATING
As the youngest, smallest sibling within the Q Series of luxury SUVs, the Q3 still benefits mightily from its genetics. Starting with its artful countenance and streamlined design, you’ll see that this junior Audi doesn’t fall far from the family tree.
The Q3 features a sleek silhouette with curved lines, seamlessly blending sporty style with sophistication. Its full LED headlights and taillights will illuminate the shadows—and even turn a few heads when the taillights shine sequentially. Change perspective and proportion ever so slightly with:
- S line® design – S line bumpers, S line side sills, and side fender badge.
- Black optic package – High-gloss black elements, black roof rails, and 19-inch graphite gray 20-spoke-V design wheels.
- Black optic sport package – Similar to above but with 19-inch matte titanium 5-double-arm design wheels and S-embossed sport front seats with contrast stitching.
Your Q3 masterpiece becomes truly yours with the brushstrokes of exterior paint. Choose from a palette of nine shades, including classic tonal values such as Glacier White, Mythos Black, and Florett Silver. Want to make a bolder impression? Draw bright, more saturated strokes in Pulse Orange, Progressive Red, or Navarra Blue.
The stylish cabin of the Audi Q3 is a masterclass in luxury and sophistication. Its standard leather front seats are heated and draped in shades of Black, Okapi Brown, or Pearl Beige.
Meanwhile, the standard panoramic sunroof brings natural light, fresh air, and sky views to your mobile haven. Introduce more pattern and texture to the space when you add the Brown-Gray Natural Wood matte inlay that artfully contrasts with the soft surfaces.
Since the proof is in the details, opt for the 30-color LED Interior lighting plus package to change the ambience based on mood and add the perfect finishing touch. The 40/20/40 split-folding, sliding, reclining rear seats help you strike that perfect balance of passengers and cargo. Speaking of which...
Audi Q3 Interior Dimensions | |
---|---|
Headroom (front/rear row) | 39.6/37.6 inches |
Legroom (front/rear row) | 40/36.1 inches |
Cargo Capacity (behind rear/behind front row) | 23.7/48 cubic feet |
Now that we’ve started talking numbers, it’s time to venture to the realm of STEM, focusing on math and science.
Continuing Audi’s familial tradition, the Q3 comes standard with quattro® all-wheel drive rather than requiring its addition. Even when you factor in road or weather conditions, the Q3 can be summed up in four words: optimal acceleration and smooth handling. So, what’s the source of its power—and how much can you expect from the end product?
The Audi Q3 comes equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that offers two variables, ranging from 184 to 228 horsepower.
Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
---|---|---|
40 TFSI® | 184 HP | 221 lb-ft |
45 TFSI® | 228 HP | 251 lb-ft |
Regardless of which powertrain suits your need for speed, there’s a common denominator: an 8-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. You’ll enjoy the dividend of smooth shifting or can utilize Sport mode when you want to take control into your own hands.
Plus, Audi drive select can modify the engine and transmission to accommodate your preferred driving style when you choose from its five modes:
- individual
- comfort
- auto
- dynamic
- offroad
While you’re enjoying the ride, a chemical reaction is taking place behind the scenes of the Audi Q3. It earns high honors by doing so efficiently. Depending on the engine you’ve chosen as conductor, the Q3 will yield up to an EPA-estimated 22 city/29 highway MPG.*
Engine | EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy |
---|---|
Q3 40 | 22 city/29 highway MPG* |
Q3 45 | 20 city/28 highway MPG* |
Its 15.9-gallon fuel tank ensures the gas level never reaches absolute zero. It multiplies the energy, allowing you to travel a solid 460 miles before having to take a recess from driving to refuel.
In today’s digital age, computers are not merely electives, they’re prerequisites. Among other actions, in-vehicle placement of software enables you to “plug in” to share information as well as augment your security when away from home. So, when we do a quick mid-term analysis of its data, how does the Audi Q3 measure up? Read on for the primary insights.
First things first: Technology only works if you’re connected. Available wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ allows you to connect your smartphone to the 8.8-inch MMI touchscreen to access apps, maps, music, and more. Listen to your preferred playlist, audiobook, or podcast with every single note and syllable in crystal-clear sound thanks to the available 15-speaker SONOS premium sound system with 3D sound.
For extra credit, upgrade to the 12.3-inch configurable digital display of Audi virtual cockpit plus that provides access to a wealth of information, including media controls, your contact list, and navigation with full-screen maps. The available wireless phone charging pad further enhances the Q3’s technical dexterity.
Of course, safety is a mandatory subject for drivers, and the engineers at Audi are part of that fraternity too. That’s why they’ve crafted each Q3 with Audi pre sense® front. When it detects the potential for a collision, it will automatically tighten seatbelts and close the windows and sunroof to help protect everyone on board.
Additional standard safety features serve as a virtual copilot to keep watch on all sides—including those hard-to-see areas:
- High beam assist
- Side assist with rear cross traffic assist
- Parking system plus (front and rear acoustic sensors)
- Lane departure warning
The latest model year of the Audi Q3 has also added standard Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance that maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you and keeps the Q3 centered within your lane.
With all these systems in place, it only stands to reason that the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has awarded the Audi Q3 a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating, its highest designation.
When comparing smaller SUVs like the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA, you might wonder how much performance can be packed into a subcompact. If it’s the Q3, the answer is quite a lot. Standard all-wheel drive and more horsepower drive it well beyond the base offerings of the GLA. Its stellar safety rating is more than a bonus—it’s priceless!
Q3 | vs. | GLA |
---|---|---|
Standard | ALL-WHEEL DRIVE | Available |
228 HP | HORSEPOWER | 221 HP |
5-Star Overall Safety Rating | NHTSA SAFETY RATING | Not Rated |
The Audi Q3 and the BMW X1 are very similar, so it comes down to minor details. The extra capacity of the Q3 is the difference between packing one more large moving box and leaving it behind (or having your front-seat passenger hold it on their lap). An additional gear ratio in the transmission provides extra-smooth handling. And genuine leather versus faux? Enough said.
Q3 | vs. | X1 |
---|---|---|
48 cubic feet | MAX CARGO CAPACITY | 46.8 cubic feet |
8-speed automatic | TRANSMISSION | 7-speed automatic |
Leather | STANDARD UPHOLSTERY | Synthetic leather |
Drivers of luxury vehicles have certain expectations related to the space, comfort, and amenities they’ll receive from their preferred model. When you choose to drive an Audi Q3, your expectations will not only be met, they’ll be exceeded—especially when you compare those same features to the Volvo XC40. Clearly, the term luxury means different things to different people.
Q3 | vs. | XC40 |
---|---|---|
39.6 inches | FRONT HEADROOM | 39 inches |
15 speakers | PREMIUM AUDIO SYSTEM | 13 speakers |
Leather | STANDARD UPHOLSTERY | Textile |
Now that you’ve done your homework, the best way to take your Q3 education beyond academic research is to put it to the requisite in-person road test. Contact Audi Reno Tahoe to get behind the wheel near Reno and Carson City, Nevada, or Rocklin, California, and take a field trip of your own.
All of the tools you need to move forward with experiencing a new Q3 for yourself are conveniently available right here online.
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