Audi Q3

Audi, once the poor cousin of other prestige makes such as BMW and Mercedes is now threatening to overwhelm its rivals with hundreds of different models.

Using VW based technology and engines, the options for buyers in the Audi range are mind boggling.

With the burgeoning popularity of SUVs, Audi has introduced a smaller vehicle, the Q3 to complement the existing Q5 and Q7 offroaders.

The Q 3 is largely based on VW Tiguan underpinnings and that's no bad thing.

The 2.0L tdi in the Q3 Quattro model I drove is renowned for its lusty torque, smoothness and quietness when compared to others in the marketplace.

At more than 180 centimetres tall, or six feet two in the old parlance, I found no trouble finding the ideal seating position.

The leather seats while firm proved to be comfortable nonetheless on extended trips.

The Audi ambience of quality helps lift the cabin above its more prosaic cousins from VW, and the instrument fascia is well laid out and intuitive.

Cruise control is very effective and holds the speed even on a relatively steep downgrade.

The silence at highway speed from the engine and wind noise is only disturbed by some tyre noise,depending on the road surface.

The six speed DSG transmission worked a treat as ever, and split second gear changes were the norm. 

One feature that's becoming more popular with other manufacturers is idle stop.

The fuel saving measure can be disconcerting for the uniniated however,the engine  stopping completley while at the traffic lights for example with a foot on the brake pedal.

When released, the engines fires up in less than half a second.It can be overridden with a button on the dash.

Economy is outstanding as always with the two litre turbo diesel.. 

In just city driving, I averaged around four litres per hundred kilometres... giving an urban range of almost eight hundred kms from its 64 litre fuel tank..and at least five hundred kms more if highway cruising.

And while diesel is more expensive than unleaded you go so much further, with a healthy 380nm torque curve sending you down the road with brisk acceleration.

You only have to fill up once every two or three weeks depending on your mileage.

Remember premium unleaded ( recommended for many modern cars,) is about the same price or even more as diesel, depending on the discount cycle.

I found the ride comfort acceptable, but on larger wheel and tyre combinations it can jar a little over rough surfaces. 

Otherwise it's pretty good for this sort of vehicle, corners  taken with aplomb without too much body roll at all.

It's more at home on road than off however.

Strange to find in a car of this price, that heated seats are a two thousand dollar option.

Visibility is much better than some rivals (especially Range Rover's Evoque with letter box slot sized rear and side windows) and  reversing sensors helped getting out of tight supermarket car park spaces. A rear view camera is a 1500 dollar option.

The central information screen that pops out of the dashboard is clear and offers a variety of functions, operated by the extremely simple to use Audi Multi Media system.. much better than similar offerings in BMW or Mercedes.

One of few disappointments with the Q3 is the headlights. 

I found them to be rather feeble in the suburbs, and high beam did not inspire confidence on the open road.  

It would be worth investing in the 1700 dollar optional xenon lamps, but you really shouldn't have to.

While not in the same price league or segment as the Audi, a Kia Rio driven the week before provided superior external illumination.

Is it worth the extra 15 K or so over a Tiguan? Those with the disposable cash and a desire to drive behind the four Audi rings would say yes.

As far as styling goes.. I think the Audi has it over its cheaper VW sibling, and that's enough to make the difference. 
Peter Sellen