2020 Audi Q3 Review

　　

2020 Audi Q3 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Looking for an affordable way to get a new Audi? The 2020 Q3 is a good way to go. It's not a particularly powerful SUV, but it's feature-packed and gives off a luxurious enough vibe. Standard features include items such as smartphone integration, heated seats, a panoramic sunroof and all-wheel drive. Want more? You can get the Q3 with premium features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation, and a fully digital gauge cluster display if you want.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Audi Q3 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$209/mo  for Q3 Premium

　　Q3 Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,700 MSRPPremium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,000 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,800 MSRPPremium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,100 MSRPPrestige S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $42,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Audi covers the small SUV basics well too. The Q3 is roomy for four adults and comfortable on the highway. The interior also impresses with solid construction and high-quality materials. The Q3's turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides sufficient power, but it does trail behind competitors in fuel economy, returning a disappointing EPA estimate of 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

　　Those competitors include the BMW X1, the Mercedes-Benz GLB and the Volvo XC40. All are compelling rivals and offer certain advantages, such as sportier performance from the BMW or roomier seating from the GLB. Overall, though, the Q3 should easily satisfy.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Q3 drive? The Q3 is more interested in delivering comfort than thrills. Our test Q3 reached 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is slightly slower than average for a luxury subcompact SUV. The eight-speed automatic transmission can also be a little slow to react when you're first leaving from a stop.

　　The Q3 is more energetic from a handling standpoint. It has responsive steering and stays composed when driving through high-speed curves. Altogether, everyday driving is crisp and comfortable, but if driving pleasure is important, you're better off with a BMW X2.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Q3? The Q3's ride quality is firm but not overly stiff. Bumps can be felt through the cabin but the Q3 quickly dispatches with them and doesn't make any excessive body motions. It's also pretty quiet since there's little outside noise, either from the tires or wind.

　　The optional S Line leather sport seats have a drop to them, almost like buckets. They provide eight-way adjustment to find the perfect position and four-way power lumbar for long trips. The controls are clearly labeled and well within reach. It takes a moment to adjust to the location of each button, but you don't have to fish through the infotainment system. Heated seats take a few minutes to warm up and never get as hot as others in the class.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Q3 has an accessible seating position that will meet the needs of most buyers. There's plenty of headroom up front and enough room for two adults to be comfortable in back. It's also pretty easy to see out of the Q3 thanks to big windows and a short hood.

　　The optional 10.1-inch touchscreen is responsive to the touch and offers a helpful clicking noise to let you know the command is registered. The buttons on the steering wheel and center console are clearly labeled.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? With the optional MMI navigation feature, the Q3 can operate Apple CarPlay wirelessly. It sometimes takes a minute to activate upon starting the car, but it's ultimately convenient. Navigation is simple to input and control, but the real star is the map itself, which offers a beautiful three-dimensional view.

　　All of the Q3's active driver safety features work well, but it can be tricky to get used to all the buttons and knobs required. Adaptive cruise control is mostly helpful, but if traffic abruptly slows, it will sometimes brake too late and prompt the driver to take over.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Q3 does the most with its limited cargo dimensions. There's a flat load floor and small compartments on either side to secure small bags, plus a security shade that can be removed to provide more space if needed.

　　A wireless charging pad and small grip between the cupholders are clever ways to store smartphones, but that's about it in the way of small-item storage. The rear door openings are wide enough to easily lean in and set up rear-facing car seats. The car seat anchors are simple to access, and there are three back anchors for overhead security.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? A combined EPA rating of 22 mpg puts the Q3 near the bottom of its class since most entries rank in the mid-to-high 20s. The Q3 outperformed its rating on our 115-mile evaluation route, achieving 26.8 mpg. But in city driving or heavy traffic, it routinely failed to reach 20 mpg. Overall, we suspect you'll be able to match the EPA's estimate, even if it's not particularly great for the class.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Q3 a good value? No gaps, creaks or cheap plastics here. The surfaces inside the Q3 are tastefully put together and great to the touch, if a little bland. The S Line spices things up with natural wood and matte inlays. The Q3 is priced comparable to others in the class such as the BMW X2 and Cadillac XT4. Audi's warranties are similarly average for a luxury automaker.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　You choose Audi because you know what to expect. The Q3 has a driving feel and styling language that is consistent with the brand yet wholly distinctive from other luxury automakers. The Q3 holds few surprises. But solid build quality, great infotainment and small personalized touches such as available ambient lighting give the crossover a hint of panache.

　　

Which Q3 does zzdcar recommend?

Picking a Q3 is straightforward since it comes in three trim levels with just one available engine. Part of the Q3's appeal is its affordability, so it'll be tempting to just stick with the base Premium trim level. But consider going with the midlevel Premium Plus to get more advanced driver safety features plus some appealing extras.

　　

2020 Audi Q3 models

The 2020 Q3 is offered in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. All Q3 models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (228 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

　　The Premium trim's feature highlights start with LED headlights, a power liftgate, three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking is also included.

　　Stepping up to the Premium Plus brings features such as keyless entry and ignition, front and rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning.

　　The range-topping Prestige trim is loaded up with power-folding mirrors, adaptive cruise control, an automated parking system, a fully digital instrument panel, a premium sound system, a larger touchscreen and a navigation system, among other features.

　　Some of the Prestige's extra features are optional on the Premium Plus. An S Line appearance package is available on Premium and Premium Plus models (and standard on the Prestige) and includes upgraded wheels and some exterior styling flourishes.

　　

2020 Q3 Highlights

Trim: PremiumPremium S linePremium PlusPremium Plus S linePrestige S linePremium

　　

Base MSRP	$34,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$209/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles