Test Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TDI 150 CV S tronic

Audi It presented a few years ago a coupé-style body of its Q3 model, the compact SUV of the firm with the four rings. How could it be otherwise, his name is Audi Q3 Sportback. We have already gotten on it on occasion, but seeing the enormous weight of this variant in the brand, we get back behind the wheel of this car.

For this occasion we have opted for the Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TDI S-tronic, which translated means that it uses the engine diesel 2.0 TDI 150 hp with double-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive, a very rational option. Of course, the finish is the top of the range, the Black Line.

But before starting, I wanted to point out that many manufacturers are already betting on this SUV coupe lineup in different sizes. Audi itself has the Q3 and Q5 Sportback in addition to the Q8, BMW they also have the X2, X4 and X6 and Mercedes It is not far behind with the GLC and GLE Coupe. In fact, even mainstream brands are trying this same recipe, like the Renault arkana, For example.

Elegance and aesthetic sportiness with the Audi Q3 Sportback Black Line

This unit that we tested bets totally on black. Black Line equipment and black color for the bodywork. It is true that this tone does not allow to appreciate the lines of the car very well, but even so it looks really elegant and sporty. As a reminder, the Black Line derives from the S line, adding gloss black details such as the grille surround, door surrounds, tinted rear windows and 20-inch Audi Sport wheels.

Although where the Q3 Sportback stands out the most compared to a conventional Audi Q3 it is on the flank and in the rear. Starting from the side, it is closer to the ground, but it also has more marked lines and the identity seal, its smooth fall of the roof that gives it that coupé touch that customers are liking so much.

For its part, the rear looks lower due to the shapes of the gate and the width generated by the LED lights, the horizontal lines and the marked lower diffuser. As you can see, the rear window is very flat, being visually very attractive although reducing visibility to the rear from the driving position.

Without luxury, but with good qualities and finishes

Meanwhile in the passenger compartment it is traced to the conventional Q3 in terms of the entire dashboard, qualities and technology.. We have a steering wheel with good touch but too flattened in its lower area, a 10,25-inch digital instrument panel that is very intuitive and easy to operate, in addition to the 10,1-inch MMI system.

As you know, the use of the piano black that we see on the dashboard, to the left and to the right of the steering wheel because it gets dirty very quickly. But there are positive things, such as the management of the dual-zone climate control independent of the screen, with controls that transmit a lot of quality when touched.

Following the central console, we have a hole with wireless charging for the mobile, the gear selector S tronic and a pair of cup holders in this area, as well as an adjustable center armrest with a correctly sized interior compartment.

The interior lighting can be configured with 30 different shades, and its intensity can also be adjusted.

Finally, and although in the lower areas of the dashboard the use of rigid plastics is noticeable while in the upper ones they are padded, the feel of practically all the parts and controls conveys a high level of quality, as Audi has accustomed us in practically all its cars.

Good for four occupants, although less headroom

If we talk about habitability, the front seats have good access and the seats are comfortable for people of any size. In addition, in this unit they have electrical adjustments and heating, while the steering wheel also offers extensive adjustment in height and depth, so we can find the ideal position very quickly.

For its part, the rear seats of the Audi Q3 Sportback are not as generous in height as in a normal Q3, but people who measure less than 1,85 will not touch the ceiling with their head. In addition, since the wheelbase remains the same, there is enough space for the knees and we can place our feet well under the front seat.

Logically, the central square is much fairer, leaving our head closer to the ceiling, the seat and the backrest being harder and narrower, as well as having little space to place the feet through the transmission tunnel. By the way, we have center armrest with two cup holders and center air vents without temperature adjustment.

A detail to note is that the second row of seats also has adjustments. Namely, we can adjust the inclination of the backrest in several positions and also slide the bench longitudinally in 13 centimeters to distribute the interior and trunk space according to the needs of each journey. Without a doubt, this solution seems to me a total success.

The trunk does not lose capacity compared to the normal Q3

Despite the fact that due to its external shapes we might think that it loses load capacity, nothing is further from the truth. The Audi Q3 Sportback maintains the 530 liters of capacity of its sister body, which is a very positive detail. It only loses some volume when we put the seats down, but very little.

It is remarkable that the forms are very usable and that we have double height floor. The only thing that can be missing is a couple of handles to fold the rear seats from behind here, but it is far from serious. It goes without saying that the gate has automated opening and closing.

Engines available in the Audi Q3 Sportback

If we totally change the plane and go to the hood, there we can find different mechanics. In diesel 35 TDI and 40 TDI variants are available, which use the 2.0 diesel with powers of 150 and 200 CV respectively.

While in gasoline the names 35 TFSI, 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI appear, with a 2.0 turbo of 150, 190 and 245 hp. To them must be added the 45 TFSIe, a plug-in hybrid option with 245 CV of joint power and a 10,4 kWh battery to offer an electric range of 50 kilometers.

To finish off this section, the 150 hp versions can have manual transmission and double clutch. Depending on the engine, it will use front-wheel drive or the integral system Quattro.

Behind the wheel of the Audi Q3 Sportback

As we said at the beginning of this article, for this test we have opted for the 35 TDI, which is 2.0 turbodiesel. develop 150 CV between 3.000 and 4.200 laps, as well as a torque of 360 Nm between 1.600 and 2.750 revolutions per minute. It comes with front-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, declaring a 0 to 100 in 9,3 seconds and a top speed of 202 km/h. Its approved mixed consumption is 5,5 l/100 km.

If you normally do not drive in a “sporty” way and you do quite a few kilometers throughout the year, this mechanical version may be ideal for this car. Although it is true that if you are going to drive heavily loaded and/or on roads with significant slopes, it will be better to opt for the 40 TDI, which comes with 200 hp and four-wheel drive.

It is an engine that pushes enough for most normal driving, allowing you to move with some agility in the city and ring roads, needing a little more margin in recoveries at higher speeds. But despite this, I think it is the most interesting mechanics for this car. Of course, like all TDI, It sounds quite a lot and that noise reaches the passenger compartment during acceleration.

Its association with the dual-clutch gearbox (S tronic) and 7 gears is more than correct. He's smart when it comes to moving from one relationship to another, he changes quickly enough and is also smooth in those transitions. Nor is it abrupt when maneuvering at very low speed, although not logically there it does not reach the smoothness of the converter boxes.

Chassis

Where the Audi Q3 Sportback has not ceased to amaze me is in the chassis section. It is true that we have the sports suspension because it is the Black Line finish and also some 20-inch wheels with fairly wide tires (255/40). But the truth is that It goes really well if we increase the pace.

It allows you to practice agile driving without problems, being fast on support changes and having a fairly fast address, which barely has 2 turns of the steering wheel between stops. In addition, we have some information on the front end grip limit at our fingertips, something that is always welcome when driving fast. By the way, at the limit it does not pitch excessively and offers a very neutral behavior.

Also shows confidence and poise at high speeds, on highways. In that sense it feels comfortable and stable, although it is true that if we go very fast the noise inside is somewhat high, especially due to the sound of the diesel engine.

And while it feels snappy and snappy in dynamic driving, its suspension is not hard or dry in the face of sudden irregularities. Obviously it is not as comfortable as an Audi A6, for example, but the balance in that aspect is very good, as is usual in the Ingolstadt firm. And I remember that it has tires with a very low profile.

Consumption

If you are wondering about consumption, throughout this week of tests it has settled for a average of 7,1 liters, practicing cheerful driving at times and also loitering quite a bit. On the highway, at normal rates it is easy to be around 5,7 liters, while in the city it is usually around 8,2 approximately.

Conclusions

I admit that I am not too fond of SUV models, but I like this Audi Q3 Sportback both for aesthetics, for behavior and for its good habitability despite the coupé style of its bodywork. If I had to buy a compact SUV and had enough purchasing power, this model would be one of the main options, along with the BMW X2.

I must emphasize that of purchasing power, because the Q3 Sportback starts at almost 44.000 euros in its most accessible version. It is not much more expensive than a conventional Q3 with equal equipment, but if we compare it with the general brands, it is a very high amount. By the way, the 35 TDI S tronic with the Black Line finish starts at more than 50.600 euros...

Equipment Audi Q3 Sportback

Advanced

• Heated and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors
• Dual zone air conditioning
• digital box
• Audi Smartphone interface
• Voice control
• bluetooth handsfree
• Audi Pre sense front
• rear parking sensors
• Speed ​​regulator
• lane departure warning
• Audi Drive Select
• Speed ​​limiter
• progressive steering
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED lights with dynamic rear turn signals
• roof spoiler
• Front center armrest
• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel
• Interior lighting

S Line (add to Advanced)

• sports suspension
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• S Line bumper in gray contrast
• Sports front seats
• Rear bench seat plus with rear center armrest
• Headlining in black
• Dashboard “Black Panel”
• Inserts in dark matt aluminum
• S line inserts
• Stainless steel pedals
• Flattened multifunction steering wheel
• ambient lighting package

Black Line (Add to S line)

• Audi pre sense basic
• Black Edition Package
• 20-inch Audi Sport wheels
• Black Plus Package
• darkened glasses

Audi Q3 Sportback prices

Editor's opinion

• Editor's rating
• 4 star rating
• Excellent

^€43.940 a ^€61.610

• 80%

---

• Audi Q3 Sportback
• Review of: Diego Avila
• Posted on:
• Last modification:

• Exterior design

  Publisher: 95%
• interior design

  Publisher: 85%
• front seats

  Publisher: 85%
• rear seats

  Publisher: 80%
• Trunk

  Publisher: 80%
• Spring Suspension

  Publisher: 80%
• Consumption

  Publisher: 75%
• Comfort

  Publisher: 75%
• Price

  Publisher: 55%

---

Gallery Audi Q3 Sportback

3 Audi Q2019 Sportback

• Seats 5
• Power 150 - 400 hp
• Power: 150 - 400 hp
• Consumption: 1,4 - 9,6 kWh/100km