Audi Q3 2020 review: 40 TFSI

The exterior looks sharp. It’s sporty but sophisticated with just the right amount of angles and curves to make it look fresh and modern. I think it’s one of the best looking SUVs out there.

The exterior is sporty but sophisticated with just the right amount of angles and curves to make it look fresh and modern.

It boasts a new grille but I think it’s the matte metallic trims around the grille and windows that really give it an edge. 

The new grille features matte metallic trims.

Inside is particularly swish, thanks to the new digital cockpit behind the steering wheel that gives you a birds eye view of where you are in the landscape, as though you’re on Google maps and you have an aerial view of the surrounding area. Just don’t spend too much time with your eyes off the road looking at it. 

The rest of the design is in typical Audi style which is clean and ultra modern with premium finishes - apart from the hard plastic areas around the centre console and on the door.

The interior of the Q3 40 TFSI is particularly swish.

This model has leather-appointed seats which are also heated and it’s fitted with the 'Premium Pack' (an extra $2250) which means both front seats are power adjustable and heated. 

Matching the exterior are the brushed aluminium trims through the interior which make it feel polished, and the whole cabin lights up at night which the kids loved. Both are also a part of the Premium Pack.

Matching the exterior are the brushed aluminium trims through the interior.

The Q3 drives beautifully. It’s smooth and quiet on the road and the steering is really even, not heavy or light. There’s no heavy lag on take-off which is good considering this car does feel bigger than a small SUV on the inside. 

There is a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine which means I could easily pass other cars going up the big hill near my house and it’s also a breeze to overtake on highways.

There is a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine.

This model is an AWD, though it does come in a FWD version which costs less, if that’s what you’re after. I like AWD because it means better traction on wet or unstable roads. 

Parking the car is good because it’s so compact; the size makes it easy. It’s also got a really high definition reverse parking camera and a 360-degree view camera which even my eight-year old thought was super handy. It’s a part of the Premium Package and with that you’ll also get park assist which parks the car for you. 

There is a fair amount of automation in the Q3 40 TFSI quattro, some of it thanks to the Premium Pack, like the power operated and heated front seats, some of it standard like the power operated tailgate. 

The front has a good amount of leg and headroom.

It has two cupholders in the front, plus a Qi (chi) charger that works with my phone cover on (they never used to, now it’s so easy!) and you can fit keys in this space, too. There’s also a centre storage bin and bottle holders in all four doors. 

Rear passengers get two cupholders.

Rear passengers get two cupholders and directional air vents which my children always appreciate in summer. 

The safety is all inclusive, which is great. You’ll find airbags for driver and front passenger, front side airbags, and then side curtain airbags for the front and second rows. 

Advanced safety includes auto emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist with lane keep warning and rear cross traffic alert. 

You’ll also get two ISOFIX points and three top tether points to fit kids car seats in safely. The Audi Q3 scored a full five ANCAP stars when it was tested in 2019.

The Audi Q3 40 TFSI costs $53,990. Adding the Premium Pack ($2250) and metallic paint ($1250) increases that figure to $57,400. Fuel consumption is a claimed 8.0L/100km and I averaged 9.5L/100km with mostly suburban driving. 

The Audi Q3 40 TFSI is covered by Audi's three year/unlimited km warranty.

It's covered by Audi's three year/unlimited km warranty, which lags behind Genesis and Mercedes-Benz at five years/unlimited km, that pair in line with the mainstream market, which is now at five or seven years. Servicing is required every 12months/15,000km.