Many thought that SUVs would be beaten with the coupéstick if nothing more than a whim. Yet the trend was started by the original BMW X6 in 2007 still still very alive 18 years later. Audi claims that there is room on the market for the so-called ‘Coupé-SUV’, with different models. After the fully electric Q4 Sportback E-tron, the gas-driven Q5 Sportback and the Q8, the smaller Q3 Sportback gives the compact crossover from Ingolstadt a pseudo-coupe atmosphere.
Compared to the conventionally formed Q3, the roof line of the Sportback has been reduced by 1.1 inches (29 millimeters). It is far from a real coupé, because it remains very much an SUV with too many doors, although Audi claims that it delivers the “aesthetics of a coupé”. As expected, lowering the roof line makes usability: maximum loading capacity is reduced to 45.5 cubic foot (1,289 liters) with the rear seats folded, 3.4 cubic base (96 liters) versus the standard Q3.
Photo by: Audi
The smaller greenhouse also damages outside view. But despite these compromises and the higher price compared to the donor car, Coupe-Ide SUV’s are popular enough to justify models of the next generation. For Audi, the investment is minimal: apart from the changed body, the Q3 Sportback is essentially a clone of the standard Q3.
The Sportback is wearing everything we saw on the regular crossover when it debuted a few months ago. From the column packaging on the right side of the steering wheel to the united wiper and turn signal stalk on the left, it is almost identical. Audi gives the Sportback Standard 18-inch wheels, compared to the everyday 17-inch set of the Q3, while top finishes offer up to 20-inch alloys.
It fights against the BMW X2 and wears the 1.5 and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines, the 2.0 TDI diesel, plus a plug-in hybrid built around the smaller gas unit. Only a more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI comes with Quattro; The rest is strictly front -wheel drive. Audi will probably expand the line later, with the hot S and RS versions that are expected to provide Quattro as standard.
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Source: Audi
Just like the regular Q3, the Sportback can be chosen with acoustic glazing for the windows for the front, a first for a compact Audi. This should be noticeably calm down the cabin and let you enjoy the optional Sonos sound system with 12 speakers, 420 Watt. The 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch infotainment view are also present, together with fewer physical buttons now the climate controls have been migrated to the touchscreen.
Other annoyances that are worth pointing out are the shiny black trim, capacitive buds and screens in tablet style that jump out of the dashboard. Even Audi has admitted that interior quality is not what it used to be, but promises improvements with future models.
In Germany, the Base Q3 Sportback starts at € 46,450, or € 1,850 more than the equivalent Q3. It remains unclear whether Audi will bring the model to the United States, especially because his predecessor has never done that.
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