3 pros and 2 cons of the Audi Q3

Audi Q3 price in India starts at Rs 45.24 lakh, making it the most affordable SUV from the brand. Moreover, the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA are significantly costlier, even in their respective entry-level variants: Rs 50.80 lakh and Rs 51.50 lakh. It has a lot more going for it, but there are a few areas where the two German rivals pull ahead. Read on to discover the strengths and weaknesses of the Q3.

Audi Q3 positives

1. Tidy handler.

Our Q3 review raved about its overall poised stance, as well as its planted ride at high speeds. There's enough feel from the steering, and direction changes are smooth. The Audi Quattro all-wheel-drive system further lends it a lot of grip and is quite helpful in inclement weather. Notably, AWD is not offered with either the X1 or GLA petrol. Ride comfort is also impressive, with meaty tyres absorbing much of the initial blow and the well-damped suspension taking care of the rest.

2. Comfortable seats, even for tall passengers.

In addition to being underpinned by the space-efficient MQB platform, the Q3 boasts surprisingly large front seats. People as tall as 6 feet will appreciate the comfy seating position and generous headroom and legroom at the back. It can also be reclined for added convenience. But due to the short middle-seat squab and high centre tunnel, it's best suited for two people.

3. More powerful petrol variant than X1 and GLA.

The Q3 is powered by a 190hp, 320Nm, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that's mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Power is sent to all four wheels, and is enough to hurl the SUV from 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 222kph. Refer to the table above to find out how these specs are better than the GLA and X1 petrol models.

Audi Q3 cons

1. No diesel engine option.

Audi no longer sells the Q3 diesel in India, though it's still available overseas. In contrast, both the X1 and GLA continue to offer 2.0-litre diesel engine options here. They also come in all-electric versions, which the Audi Q3 lacks. For reference, the previous-gen Q3 diesel variants were known for being punchy and quick-revving.

2. The interior feels dated.

Another area for improvement has to be the interior. The cabin doesn't quite match the flash factor of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, which makes more impactful use of features; for instance, ambient lights. The same can be said for the 10.1-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch driver’s display, which aren't quite as vibrant or configurable as the competition. That said, Audi has tackled these gaps well with the new Q3, which is expected to launch in India by the end of 2026.

ALL PRICES ARE EX-SHOWROOM.

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