In the auto market, compact SUVs are among the models seeing demand rise quickly. They are more affordable than large and midsize SUVs, yet more practical than sedans with greater cargo capacity and the ability to handle dynamic driving on a variety of roads.
The New Audi Q3, rolled out by Audi Korea in June, is a model that meets these compact SUV traits. Fully redesigned for the first time in seven years, the car is bigger and, reviewers say, smarter than before. We drove The New Audi Q3 around city streets, the Olympic Expressway, and the Incheon International Airport Expressway.
◇ Upgraded ADAS and sound system… stable even at highway speeds
The most eye-catching feature in The New Audi Q3 is Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus, an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). It did not change lanes by itself or park on arrival like Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD), but it drove steadily to match road conditions within the set speed.
Around 6 p.m., even on the heavily congested Olympic Expressway or city streets, it was possible to drive with hands just resting on the steering wheel. It further reduced speed to accommodate cars cutting in sharply from adjacent lanes in traffic jams, and it could stop in gridlock and then start again to match the gap to the vehicle ahead. However, intervention was needed in situations such as coming to a stop for a light when there was no vehicle ahead during city driving.
All trims come with SONOS premium sound. The immersive acoustics from 12 speakers, including a center speaker and a subwoofer, eased the tedium of traffic. The lack of ventilated seats felt like a drawback.
On the way to Yeongjongdo, the car delivered performance befitting a storied German luxury brand. The combination of a 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline direct-injection turbo engine producing up to 258 horsepower, a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission, and a lightly responsive accelerator pedal provided smooth acceleration. Switching Audi Drive Select to Dynamic mode made the steering feel weightier, adding to the driving fun.
The seats did not bolster the body based on drive mode, but the car was engineered so there was hardly any sensation of body roll even with larger steering angles at relatively unchanged speeds. That is because the full-time all-wheel-drive system (AWD), standard on all trims, maintains vehicle stability while driving. On highways, acceleration was stable, and starting from a complete stop on an incline was no trouble.
However, as peak output and maximum torque (37.73 kg·m) increased, fuel economy worsened slightly compared with the previous model. The New Audi Q3's combined fuel economy is 9.6 km per liter (ℓ). The previous Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro delivered 9.9 km per ℓ combined.
◇ Sporty exterior with a comfortable cabin
From the outside, The New Audi Q3 emphasizes Audi's signature Singleframe, conveying a solid impression. The Singleframe is an integrated front grille design that connects the grille and air intakes, which used to be split above and below the bumper, into one large frame.
This car is longer and wider than the previous generation, but it adds a sporty touch with a lower roof height, split headlights, and sharp side mirrors. Lowering the roof line that starts from the very top of the A-pillars (the pillars supporting both sides of the windshield) and inflating the rear fenders to make the car appear larger give it a look that is both solid and sleek.
The New Audi Q3 measures 4,530 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, 1,585 mm tall, with a 2,681 mm wheelbase. Compared with the previous generation, length is up 46 mm, width 4 mm, and wheelbase 1 mm, while height is down 31 mm. The changes enhance the feel of a sleeker, coupe-style SUV.
Inside, the first thing that stands out is the linkage of the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus and the 12.8-inch MMI touch display. Configured as if one long, connected display, it makes the driver feel seated at the controls of an advanced device.
Along with the long, sweeping display, the two-tier, elongated dashboard creates a horizontal layout for a clean look. Aluminum-like materials and suede deliver a design that is both futuristic and upscale.
At night, the multicolor ambient light automatically changed its color by drive mode, shifting the cabin's mood. The steering wheel is shaped as a circle with slightly flattened top and bottom to avoid obstructing the view, and surrounding it are control units integrating the gear selector, light, and wiper functions for better ease of use.
For the rear seats, taking into account the reduced roof height, a recess above the rear headroom secures space, and the panoramic sunroof offers ample openness. While the overall length increased significantly, the wheelbase stayed similar, so cabin space did not change much. With up to 680 mm of legroom, even an adult man would have about a fist's worth of space to spare when seated.
The seats measure 460 mm in both width and length to provide comfortable seating. Rear-seat backrest recline and seat sliding functions also add comfort. Fore-and-aft adjustment is possible up to 15 cm, and the seven-step adjustable backrest can recline to about 120 degrees.
However, with the coupe-style SUV feel emphasized, trunk space decreased compared with the previous model. Unlike its predecessor, which offered up to 675 ℓ of cargo capacity without folding the rear row, The New Audi Q3 provides 575 ℓ. With the rear row folded, capacity is 1,386 ℓ, smaller than the predecessor's 1,525 ℓ.
Even so, one large suitcase and one medium suitcase fit with room to spare. Golf bags or a folding stroller can be loaded easily, suggesting it would not fall short as a family car.
The New Audi Q3 is offered in four trims: Advanced, S line, S line Black Edition, and Sportback S line, and sells from 60.8 million won to as high as 71.64 million won. The starting price rose 9.41 million won from the previous model.