Audi is entering a new market with the Q3 SUV – it is appealing to consumers looking for funky styling, sporty performance, and good all-round practicality. A number of friends in my circle have actually purchased the Q3 in the last two months. They have traded in cars like the Audi TT, the Golf 6, BMW 3 series and an Audi A3 for the new Q3.

The SUV market is an ever-growing segment. Audi launched their Q7 model in 2006 and in 2009, the Q5. This latest SUV from Audi is designed to slot in under the Q5, the latter having slightly larger proportions. The Q3 is designed more for urban highways and bi-ways than a true off-roader, like a Land Rover for example.

The Q3 follows its generic family lines and looks very similar to an A1, only pumped up, elevated, and with good ground clearance. Its proportions are ideal, large enough to transport four adults or two adults and a trio of kids. The interior is true to the Audi brand: fit and finish is world-class. You have the same sense of quality as you would find in more expensive Audis and the Q3 carries the newly designed dashboard. I would option an interior in a colour other than black, as an entirely black interior can hide some of the interesting design details if it all appears too dark. The boot will happily carry two trolleys of groceries (460 litres) from your local super market, and with the back seats released and flattened (1365 litres), you should be able to carry just as much as Santa’s sled at Christmas time. It’s as easy to manoeuvre in traffic as it is in a parking lot, but I advise opting for park distance control at the rear of the car to prevent any possible bumper wounds. The SUV has good visibility out of all windows and I did feel that a panoramic sunroof would have been a nice option, adding additional light and airiness if your budget permits this extravagance.

So now you know the car has great practical value, but how does it drive?

The above mentioned circle of friends have all traded in other cars that were quick, hugged the road, and were fun to drive – so the Q3 has a tall list of requirements to live up to. The baby SUV is more than a terrific shopping trolley and I can see why this vehicle has converted my circle. My test car made darting around and doing one’s chores simple, and the fantastic 2.0T, 125kw unit used in a variety of Audi products – and having one the accolade of engine of the year 5 years running 2005 to 2009 – is punchy and relatively fuel efficient if driven reasonably (claimed fuel figures are 7.3 litres per 100 Km). I can quite confidently say that the engine and 7-speed double clutch S-Tronic auto gearbox have been well mated, giving a 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. There is a more powerful 155kw unit also available at a price premium but with escalating fuel prices and congested roads, I’m not sure it is necessary.

Having owned an Audi with a Quattro system, I am well aware of the fantastic benefits of having a car which puts its power down through four wheels, giving you a non-slip action on pull-off and through bends. The Q3 Quattro corners like its on rails, where others have their anti-skid light flicking, yet has an elevated ground clearance, turning our rough urban roads into a smooth affair.

The Q3 comes top of the class in a number of subjects. The first with a 0.32 drag coefficient: essentially the Q3 is a slippery vixen when the wind blows on her, and her wing mirrors are like designer earrings, contributing only 3.1 percent towards her total wind resistance. Storage space in the door pockets is fantastic: you could store a bottle of French bubbly in each door if the party required it! The dash houses a nifty 16.5cm LED screen which displays the radio info, navigation (optional), car info and blue tooth cell phone information – all via a rotation switch or voice control (however talking your way through the cars functions list is a nifty technology but not always the easiest method of navigating through the media system I found). The base model 2.0 TDI (103 KW), sold only in manual and front-wheel-drive, is well priced in the segment, but what is most exciting about this models performance is its best-in-class fuel efficiency, gently sipping 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km or 1000 km per tank. To draw an analogy, it is like watching a regal Persian cat lap up a saucer of full cream milk: it’s a pleasingly slow process.

My job as the motoring guy also requires that I critically assess the strengths which I have experienced and appreciated, but also give you information on its weaknesses: The Q3 is a great car, however I would have liked more feedback through the steering wheel when enjoying her cornering abilities. The Q3 ranges from R370 000 to R480 000 for the range-topping 155kw model.  In my opinion the top end is pricey, which could cause one to rethink one’s purchase and rather opt for the bigger Q5.

Audi Q3 you tube video

Audi Q3 website for South Africa