2015 Audi Q3 Expert Review

The 2015 Audi Q3 is a new addition to the lineup. It is the smallest crossover in Audi's lineup and is available in front- or all-wheel-drive. Prices start at $33,425 (including destination) for a front-drive Q3.

Vehicle Summary

The 2015 Audi Q3 is a small luxury crossover with seating for up to five passengers. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is slightly lower than most cars in the class at 20/29 mpg for front-drive models and 20/28 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Overview

Interior quality is a strong suit of all Audis and the Q3 is no different with high-grade materials such as real aluminum trim in knobs. Additionally, the seats are comfortable and feel solid while the center stack is clear and easy to use. Maximum cargo space is decent for a small crossover at 48.2 cubic feet but is smaller than non-premium small crossovers like the Kia Soul and the upcoming Honda HR-V.

The turbo-four provides good acceleration with plenty of torque for merging and passing maneuvers. Handling in the Q3 is a strong point with little understeer and neutral turn-ins but the crossover's steering is numb and doesn't provide much feedback to the driver. Audi's Drive Select system is also available with the Sport Package and allows drivers to tailor the crossover's driving dynamics to their liking.

Blind spot warning is available in the Premium Plus trim as part of the Driver Assistance package and comes standard in the Prestige model.

What We Think

The 2015 Audi Q3 excels as a small urban utility vehicle with good handling and passing power, enabling it to zip through traffic with ease. We said in a First Drive review that the turbo-four is an excellent engine since it gives the car good response and plenty of torque for high speed passing and merging. Additionally, it handles well despite its height making it a good car in highly congested urban areas; however, its steering feel isn't the best with the electric power steering providing little to no feedback to the driver. Like all Audis, its interior is top-notch with high-quality materials like real aluminum knobs, comfortable seats, and logical center-stack controls.