2020 Audi Q3 review - the best luxury compact SUV?

[@chasingcars]

In this video, Tom drives the new 'F3'-gen Audi Q3. For now, it arrives with a 1.4-litre turbo petrol and front-wheel-drive. More power, and Quattro, are coming later. Skip to what you want to see: 0:00 - Intro 1:42 - Front cabin 4:25 - Back seat 6:02 - Boot/trunk/cargo space 7:14 - Driving the Audi Q3 12:23 - Summary and conclusion

[@PAUL2YU]

It's amazing to see that Tom can remember so many tech details of the car he is reviewing. Overall the new Q3 is a very competitive car at a good price level. Just it arrived in Australia more than 1 year later than EU, which is way too long!

[@chasingcars]

Thanks, Paul! The delays are around homologating new European cars that are rated to WLTP emissions standards. They then have to be retested and converted back to NEDC standards (the old emissions standard for Europe) which Australia still uses. If we updated to WLTP it would fix that.

[@PAUL2YU]

@@chasingcars Thank you Tom for your reply and the information about the delay.

[@CRettort]

Hi Tom, just became a big fan after watching a few lovely videos of yours. Perhaps you could show us the reverse cams as well in the future videos pls🤗

[@chasingcars]

Thanks! Will try to remember that for the future!

[@Tilly1770]

Does it have reversing cameras?

[@kashhelp2372]

What are the service plans from Audi?...is it worth taking one.

[@NANGSGARAGE]

Can’t wait for RS Q3

[@chasingcars]

Same!

[@rynomuncher]

This gets me excited for the new A3 and, by extension, the new RS3 hatch hopefully coming!

[@chasingcars]

The 2.5-litre five lives on. Thankfully!

[@jaredebeling1412]

Looks great on the inside however I think they could have done better on the exterior design

[@jaredebeling1412]

Great review- however it’s not really an entry level Q3 as you are reviewing the launch edition which has a lot of extras not on the entry level model. Also the launch edition is substantially more than the entry level model. The launch edition is $10k more.

[@chasingcars]

Yes, that is a fair point, Jared. We have the Q3 in an upcoming comparison against X1 and CX-30 where the Audi is utterly base (not even an optional colour). Look out for that one.

[@bneyarb5037]

Is it worth the premium over the Q2? I think it looks much better otherwise. Also I’ve watched other reviews that said the ride was ‘crashy’. Do you think the adaptive suspension will solve that? I love the look, but I’ll literally just buy the new RAV4 if this doesn’t actually ride better/with more refinement

[@chasingcars]

Yes, I do. The interior is more premium and it’s more spacious without feeling like a big car. Now, about the ride. Crashy definitely isn’t the right word. ‘Quite firm’ is how I’ve described it, but it’s still compliant. The RAV4 is way softer and ultimately plusher but lacks the Q3’s control and tight rebound over bumps. Test drive both!

[@bneyarb5037]

Chasing Cars cheers bruv. I basically want a limo ride so sounds like the rav might actually be the pick. Who’d have thought 😂😂

[@jaredebeling1412]

The q3 Sportback which is coming to Australia in March is a better looking car and with the same boot space

[@chasingcars]

Fair view, though design is subjective - though I would point out that vertical boot space won’t be the same (it can’t be, with a sloping tailgate). They only measure boot space up to the window line, which won’t change.

[@HypaxBE]

For me, the sportiness is non-existent on the Q3 (150 hp automatic) and was a huge letdown. Apart from that an excellent car. Did you also notice it while testing? Does the audi drive select make any impact on that?

[@chasingcars]

For me the slight sportiness is in the chassis, not the engine. The ride and handling balance is enjoyable. The steering is linear and predictable. It’s quite tossable. These Australian spec cars don’t have Audi drive select standard - there’s just one suspension and steering mode. If you option in adaptive dampers you do get it though.

[@norton009]

Drinking game: "Take a shot every time his applewatch lights up!"

[@chasingcars]

I’d be on the floor

[@unknowntraveller8633]

Don't know how far you got but I had to give up when the screen went all blurry and I fell over

[@malcolmscott4150]

Love the Q3 as nice size and now better looking than Sportback - just need a nice green colour with beige interior :)

[@chasingcars]

They do have a sandy coloured interior actually - looked nice in the flesh. But no green!

[@joelwmale]

I've heard some mixed reviews on the engine size in the launch edition. You mentioned that the 1.4l turbo handles well given the size & weight of the car. I've heard some mixed reviews on this engine size being in a small SUV. Do you have any further thoughts you could share? I just purchased this car today and am in love with everything else - just a bit worried in terms of the engine performance. Thanks!

[@joelwmale]

Great review btw Tom!

[@chasingcars]

Hey, Joel. Thanks! The engine is honestly fine. If you’re mainly driving around town, in the burbs, it’s honestly quite strong - because low-down torque is its jam. Where the 1.4T feels strained is high speed overtaking. You can read more of my thoughts on that here: www.chasingcars.com.au/review/audi-q3-suv-review-2020-35-tfsi/

[@stevenagy88]

Not normally a fan of red cars, but that is a nice color.

[@chasingcars]

Yeah, it’s quite nice I think.

[@KiratSingh01]

Nice review. The 1.4 engine though in such a premium car is a big let down. To add to it, this engine is outdated now. The 6 speed DSG is good since in all probability it'll be DQ250, wet clutch DSG as compared to the usual DQ200 - 7 speed dry clutch DSG capped at 250Nm torque and prone to failure!

[@sunnysok9908]

kirat singh I’m trying to find where it says it’s a DQ250 wet clutch dsg, but can’t find it anywhere on any sites or forums? Can you confirm this at all? I’m interested in the car.

[@intrepidcosmonaut9264]

Interior seems to be on point, the infotainment + digital cockpit combo looks really nice. Not sure about that pink though...

[@chasingcars]

As I mentioned in the vid, I think the Q3 is packing the best infotainment in the business right now. That's not sucking up to Audi - it's just my personal view. Wireless charging + wireless CarPlay + Virtual Cockpit + satellite maps + Telstra 4G connection free for 3 years? And it's all standard? That's decent.

[@intrepidcosmonaut9264]

Chasing Cars I think it’s really great to see that sort of tech coming in standard rather than locked behind an expensive “package”

[@chasingcars]

Agreed entirely.

[@jaredebeling1412]

Q2 is a better driving car and much cheaper

[@christianabraham217]

Still rather an a4

[@chasingcars]

Fair enough - the facelift will be out here early next year

[@msjp81]

The B9 A4 is somewhat unloved here in Australia. In previous generations i saw lots of them but hardly any this time around. Depreciation would be kinder in the Q3 as well

[@Ondrej_E_]

In my opinion an Audi Q2 looks better..

[@dieseldavey]

Awful car I have one. Stay away from the dsg the gear change is so slow very over rated car. Never again

[@chasingcars]

It’s weird, because I read about the allegedly slow gear changes before I drove it. I’m wondering if Australia has a different gearbox entirely. Because we still have the old 1.4 TFSI, we have the old six-speed DSG. Shifts in this car were very snappy. Overseas, your situation might be different.

[@dieseldavey]

@@chasingcars its awful to be honest I'm counting the days to when I can get rid after 6 months owning it. I'm done with Audi. 😡

[@sunnysok9908]

That’s strange, I have had the car for 4 days now and can’t see any of the of the lag or slow changes, it drives just fine. Just a tad loud when accelerating, but overall smooth and refined. Would’ve loved the 1.5l that sips less fuel, but overall, the cars quite nice and comfortable on the road.

[@dieseldavey]

@@sunnysok9908 Its a common complaint about the box just wish I had heard that before buying one. if you have to pull out of a junction quickly put it in manual as its so slow to responds then wheel spins once it decides to go.

[@Tilly1770]

Does it have reversing cameras?

[@chasingcars]

Yep, it does.