The Suv Audi Q3 is a bit of a quiet achiever, and the Sportback version is a bit cheaper than a BMW X2 – but is the 40 TFSI S line the pick?
I reckon the Suv Audi Q3 is one of those quietly excellent cars that more people should consider.
Personally, I would have taken the SUV version, and that would have been the base model 35 TFSI. In my opinion, this is the best option – because it is practical, powerful enough, and quite attractive in terms of price.
But when I was handed the keys to the 2024 Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI S line – the most expensive, and theoretically the least practical model in the series (excluding the RSQ3) – I didn’t think I would like it so much.
But honestly, it is great! And that’s what I will tell you in this review.
How much does the Suv Audi Q3 cost?
There are a wide range of Suv Audi Q3 variants in both regular SUV and Sportback body styles on offer in Australia. On test here is the Sportback 40 TFSI quattro S line.
2025 Suv Audi Q3 pricing:
- 35 TFSI: $54,600
- 40 TFSI quattro: $62,800
- 40 TFSI quattro S line: $68,400
- RSQ3: $102,300
2025 Suv Audi Q3 Sportback pricing:
- 35 TFSI: $58,200
- 40 TFSI quattro S line: $70,800
- RSQ3: $105,300
- RSQ3 10 Years Edition: $109,100
Prices are before on-road costs
What is the Suv Audi Q3 like on the inside?
The term I keep coming back to for Audi interior design is ‘technical elegance’, and yet again, the brand has nailed that brief for the Suv Audi Q3 lineup.
To be honest, it may look and feel a little less fancy than its German rivals, but I personally liked the dashboard’s polished look, sharp design elements and colorful, easy-to-use screens.
The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is very easy to use, as its menus are quite smartly designed. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wired and wireless. I had no trouble connecting or reconnecting my phone while in the car.
There are no physical buttons next to the screen, and although there is a volume/tuning dial, it is placed far down, below the climate control panel. But at least there is one!
Speaking of the climate system, there are quite clear and simple buttons and dials. There is also a separate button for the heated seat controls, which is quite convenient.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is quite clean and easy to use. For those who still prefer to use the in-built GPS system, it has a navigation view, which shows a live image of Google Maps directly on the cluster in front of the driver.
Speaking of storage, there are good-sized bottle holders in the doors, with a rubber base to keep things from moving. There are cupholders between the two front seats, a wireless phone charging dock, and two USB-C ports in that space. There is also a small center console bin under the armrest.
The leather-trimmed seats are quite comfortable. We drove for more than two hours a few times, but without any problems. There is electric seat adjustment for both occupants.
Even with the driver’s seat adjusted to my height (182 cm/6 ft), my knees didn’t hit the hard plastic-backed seats in the back, and there was still a decent amount of legroom. But the best part – despite the coupe-style design, I still had some headroom above me, which was a relief!
My 6’4” brother-in-law didn’t find it that comfortable, but we expected that.
There were some complaints during the test with five people, especially about legroom. The transmission tunnel makes it a bit difficult for the back seat. Two people in the back are fine, but three? Not a great experience.
However, in everyday use, where my daughter’s child seat was installed (both window seats have dual ISOFIX points and three top-tether points), it fit perfectly.
Rear passengers get a number of amenities – such as directional air-vents, two mesh map pockets, bottle holders in the doors, a flip-down armrest with cupholders, and two USB-C ports for charging devices.
Audi claims that the Suv Audi Q3 Sportback’s boot space is the same as a standard SUV, but that’s basically measured up to the parcel cover. At 530 litres, this space is quite large.
However, if you want to load something long, you might feel a little restricted. But honestly, there’s enough space for a family of three for a weekend trip and a little extra space.
It’s nice to see the space under the adjustable boot floor – which can be lowered to create more space, or raised and the back seats folded down to provide flat loading.
There’s a space-saver spare wheel, which also houses a subwoofer. And there’s a stopper on the edge of the boot, so that the floor section of the boot remains up when accessing the subfloor.
There’s also storage trays on the sides of the boot – one housing a 12-volt port and the other housing a first aid kit.
And yes, there’s also the handy shopping bag hook, which is handy for storing small items!
What’s under the bonnet?
Unlike some of the other Audi products, the Suv Audi Q3 range hasn’t yet been updated to offer 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) tech. As a result, it still runs the same engine range as it did from launch.
The Suv Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro model uses a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine, which produces 132 kW (4000-6200rpm) of power and 320 Nm (1400-3900rpm) of torque.
It has a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and Audi’s signature all-wheel drive system is also provided. However, fuel consumption is slightly higher than some rival cars, as it does not have 48V MHEV (mild-hybrid) technology.
2024 Suv Audi Q3 fuel consumption:
- 35 TFSI: 6.9 liters per 100 km
- 35 TFSI S line Sportback: 7.2 liters per 100 km
- 40 TFSI quattro: 8.0 liters per 100 km
- 40 TFSI S line quattro (including Sportback): 8.2 liters per 100 km
- RS Q3 (including Sportback): 8.9 liters per 100 km
In real-world experience, I got an average of 8.5 liters per 100 km in mixed driving conditions, which is close to the company’s claim.
This car requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (98 RON for the RSQ3), and the fuel tank capacity is 60 liters.
What do you get?
There are a wide range of Suv Audi Q3 variants in both regular SUV and Sportback body styles on offer in Australia. On test here is the Sportback 40 TFSI quattro S line.
Q3 35 TFSI highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive LED headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Aluminium roof rails
- Power tailgate
- S line exterior styling package (Sportback only)
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Audi connect plus
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker sound system
- Wireless phone charger
- Dual-zone climate control
- Interior ambient lighting
- Keyless entry and start
- Leather upholstery
Q3 40 TFSI quattro adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Heated and power-folding side mirrors
- Painted bumpers
- Selectable drive modes
- 10-speaker sounds system
- Paddle shifter
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Black cloth headliner
- Power driver’s seat incl. 4-way power lumbar
Q3 40 TFSI quattro S line adds:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Rear privacy glass
- S line exterior styling package
- Progressive variable-ratio steering
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Flat-bottomed sports steering wheel with ‘S’ badging
- Stainless steel pedals
- Alcantara interior elements
- Aluminium-look interior accents
- Aluminium sill plates with illuminated ‘S’ logo
- Front sport seats with S embossing, contrasting stitching
- Heated front seats
- Surround-view camera
- Semi-autonomous park assist
Is the Suv Audi Q3 safe?
ANCAP’s five-star safety rating – awarded based on Euro NCAP testing in 2018 – applies to the entire Q3 series, with the exception of the RSQ3.
The Q3’s safety scores were:
- Adult Occupant Protection – 95%
- Child Occupant Protection – 88%
- Sensitive Pedestrian Protection – 76%
- Safety Assist Features – 85%
Standard safety features include:
✅ Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
✅ Pedestrian and cyclist detection
✅ Blind-spot monitoring
✅ Rear cross-traffic alert
✅ Lane departure warning
✅ Active lane assist (new)
✅ Adaptive cruise control (with stop/go feature, new)
✅ Front and rear parking sensors
✅ Reverse camera
If you choose the 40 TFSI S line model, you get Surround-view camera and Semi-autonomous park assist as standard You will get it.
How much does the Suv Audi Q3 cost to run?
The Audi Q3 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.
Audi offers a five-year prepaid service plan, and for this grade it costs $3,330, which works out to an average of $666 per year. If you get it serviced at Audi, you’ll also get Roadside Assistance updated.
But there’s another option worth considering – the Audi Advantage Pack ($3,250). This will extend warranty, servicing cover and roadside assistance to seven years. It’ll give you peace of mind, and it could be a plus point in terms of resale value too!
