3 reasons to buy the new Audi Q3, 2 reasons not to

Audi India is set to launch the third-gen Q3 on Friday, 16 October. It will replace the current Q3, which has been around for quite a while, as Audi India's entry-level SUV. More importantly, the third-gen Q3 will usher in some of the latest tech that Audi offers, which should make the SUV much more competitive against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLA and BMW X1. But will it? Now that we've reviewed the new Q3, here are three reasons why you should consider it over rivals, and two reasons why you may want to think twice about buying one.

Pros

Punchy turbo-petrol engine

Like its predecessor, the third-gen Q3 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct-injection turbo-petrol engine developing 204hp and 320Nm. It's the biggest and strongest engine in its segment, and save for some brief hesitation at low revs, remains a gem. As soon as the turbo is on song, this engine is eager and free-revving, responding promptly in the city and building speed easily on the highway. Audi claims a 0-100kph time of 7.1 seconds for the new Q3 – a segment-best figure.

The Q3’s engine continues to be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is a great companion. Downshifts are quick and easy, and engaging Sport mode or flicking the paddle shifters will give you full control. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is standard fit for the Q3 as well, giving you more confidence when driving on slippery surfaces.

Excellent ride and handling balance

Audi has tuned the new Q3’s suspension very well. The setup has the typical firmness you expect from a European car, but it's never uncomfortable and absorbs potholes and broken roads with great composure. Part of the credit goes to the 55-profile tyres too, as their thick sidewalls soak up much of the shock before it reaches the suspension.

The handling of the new Q3 is surprisingly good too, with the variable-ratio steering effectively loosening at low speeds and weighing up as you increase the pace. There's a slight amount of slack around the straight-ahead position, but the steering remains very accurate and direct regardless. Despite its quick steering, the Q3 also remains stable at highway speeds and changes lanes with ease and agility.

Well-built interior

Among the most noticeable leaps of the new Q3 over the outgoing model is on the inside. The dashboard sports a cleaner and more modern layout, housing an 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen and 11.9-inch digital driver's display. Much of the leather in the cabin has been ditched in favour of fabric, and plastic quality isn't that great in the lower regions, but even so, the Q3’s interior feels well put-together and more robust than those of its rivals.

Cons

Lack of powertrain options

The Q3’s turbo-petrol engine is undoubtedly lovely, but that's about it as far as powertrain options go. There will be no diesel, hybrid, or electric versions of the India-spec Q3, at least at launch. This puts the Audi SUV at a disadvantage, since the GLA and X1 can be had with diesel engines – the BMW is available as a long-wheelbase EV too (iX1 LWB). Offering Quattro as standard may also drive up the price of the new Q3, which could dissuade buyers who prefer a lower price tag over all-wheel drive.

Some features still missing

While the Q3 has a decent list of equipment, including a 12-speaker Sonos sound system, a panoramic sunroof, powered and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, auto-park assist, and more, there are still some features that Audi missed out on.

Chief among them is seat ventilation, which makes much more sense than heated seats in our climate conditions. Another big miss is a 360-degree camera, as it greatly helps with maneuovring and parking in tight spaces. The included rear camera’s resolution (pictured above) is disappointing too. Lastly, there are no ADAS features aside from adaptive cruise control – lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring would've come in handy.