Test Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI, a different SUV with a gasoline heart that convinces

I admit that what happened to me with this Q3 hadn’t happened to me for a long time and I didn’t expect it to happen. Because it is the typical scene that happens when you try a supercar or a model decorated with a brutal ‘racing’ finish. Two requirements that the Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TFSI of this test does not meet at all.

Despite this, on the second day of testing, it was suddenly placed parallel to my other car where two occupants were smiling with their thumbs up, the typical gesture of “what a great car!” So I thought that Audi was right with this body and that the normal Q3 already worked well. But this Sportback brings an extra point of exclusivity. Or rather, a couple of points.

design and interior

It is the typical car that does not show off on the outside, but that exudes elegance on all four sides. More so with the Black Line finish, which enriches the bodywork with its 20” Audi Sport wheels, darkened rear windows, black Audi rings and a set of unique black details. It also enriches the price, as we will see later…

Without a doubt, it is a striking body due to that coupé drop at the rear. Compared to the ‘normal’ Q3, this Sportback is almost as long (only 1.6 centimeters shorter) and wide, because the big difference is in height: here the SB is almost two inches lower and you can see that. especially in the side view, more sporty.

Inside, the dashboard of this SUV is pure Audi, increasingly digitized and with the center console slightly oriented to create a very enveloping driving position. This version has a flattened steering wheel at the bottom, an aesthetic resource rather than a practical one, and although everything is controlled on the huge multifunction screen, it maintains physical buttons for direct access to the main functions.

The quality of finishes and adjustments are that of an authentic premium car and in the rear seats the real space is for two heights by width. It is surprising for good that in skill the fall of the roof does not subtract many centimeters and passengers of 1.80 meters in height travel without problems of rubbing their heads. The trunk, yes, loses capacity compared to the Q3 and stays at an output figure of 530 liters.

Engine

Although the 40 TFSI nomenclature invites you to think of a higher displacement, the reality is that this Q3 Sportback moves thanks to a two-liter engine with 190 horsepower, associated with an S-Tronic automatic transmission. There are almost 200 horses that move the 1,700 kilos declared on the scale with as much joy as smoothness.

We are talking about a weight/power ratio of 7.4 CV/kg and that translates into a very convincing acceleration capacity. Even more convincing is its way of stretching and reaching superior cruises without apparent effort. The performance is outstanding and that means that the consumption is quite sensitive to the throttle. In normal driving you can leave it on average at 7 liters, but if you give it joy it is easy to set averages of 9 l/100 km.

Behaviour

And to that invites a very plumb and balanced chassis, even more so if you select Sport mode. So the Q3 ceases to be an SUV to become a really fun compact with a point of rage typical of the GTI of yesteryear. To put the icing on the cake, it would be accompanied by a more sporty sound.

But we are not facing a GTI but rather a different and balanced SUV, also when it comes to balancing comfort and efficiency. For this reason, passengers cannot complain about a hard suspension, since it filters very well even when wearing the low-profile tires that my test unit mounts.

Factors to decide the purchase

If I have to summarize this section by simply choosing between a ‘yes’ and a ‘no’, my answer would be a resounding affirmative vote. The Q3 Sportback puts that touch of pepper for those who do not need as much space as the Q3 and want to drive a different, premium model that attracts attention without spending what a supercar costs.

That does not mean that the price of this Audi is cheap, far from it, and more with the Black Line finish that takes the bill up to 51,000 euros. That is why I would seriously consider staying with the Advance or even the basic one. You lose those black exterior trim and that extra flair, but you save over $10,000. Also take a look at the version of the plug-in hybrid offered in the range.