2020 Audi Q3 S Line Quattro Review and Off-Road Test (feat. BMW X1)

The second-generation Audi Q3 Quattro AWD was introduced in 2019 and carries over into 2020. How does this little luxury crossover compare against the BMW X1 in key areas? Ryan takes a look at all the details then takes the Audi Q3 into the Cascade Mountains for some offroad testing in search of snow.
#audi #quattro #offroad
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[@CC86CA]

The volume on/off rotary knob is intuitively placed. It’s meant for the front passenger. The driver has steering wheel audio controls and shouldn’t be reaching off the steering wheel.

[@doxydoxdelamanca9902]

This. The same as the SQ7. Although the SQ7 is of a closer reach to the driver than the Q3. I'd know because I traded from an SQ7 to a Q3. Why? Cost cutting measures. And Audi was the one willing to work with me, while Toyota and Honda told me - the dealers - to take a hike.

[@edrictong1350]

I bought my 2020 Q3 Prestige 10-1/2 months ago, and love it. Too bad about the pandemic. Working from home and not getting to drive it enough. Compact but still plenty of cargo space when you need it. When parking, the 360 degree camera is a fantastic tool.

[@jt7224]

Terrific review...enjoying every detail of the offroad test drive...very informative....thumbs up....

[@jeffreysilver9548]

Love your reviews. very practical and realistic for limited off road and snow, which most folks may try to do.

[@WRX4moi]

Another terrific review!! Nicely done!

[@rickmonster636]

I’m really enjoying your Q5 reviews. Gives me confidence taking my 2022 Q5 to the snowy mountains

[@rickr5927]

Can't afford a new one so bought the 2016 model. It surpasses my expectations. Great car and absolutely love it. Will buy this model once it's 4 to 5 years 'old' ;-) Great review, thanks !

[@andre_1907]

Great review, as always. I think you're best because your reviews contain all the details about cars, that is what I am expecting. By the way, I could not find the BMW X1 test. didn't it publish?

[@jpch8814]

Beautiful crossover and incredible AWD probably one of the best small crossovers you tested off road alongside the Subaru and Tiguan. PS your title says featuring BMW X2, it should be corrected to X1.

[@dj331]

This popped up on my notifications earlier, been looking forward to watching. As always the video didn’t disappoint 👍🏻 The deals on these in the U.K. seem to be with the 1.5 tsfi 150bhp and 2.0 tdi 150bhp engines with 2 wheel drive. Most popular I suppose 🤷🏻‍♂️ spec up Quattro and it’s too expensive for such a car. I prefer the vorsprung trim level over the sline, but again that costs £££. Glad they kept the climate control dials at knobs instead of integrating it to the mmi

[@patricktangggable]

Excellent explanation as always!!

[@macemohrman6476]

Just got one of these yesterday! Based on this review I am glad I did!

[@JonBecker81]

You get the 2020 or 2021? I went to look at these yesterday. It would be for my wife. The lease on her GLA 250 is up next month and we are just looking for something different. From what I can tell the Q3 doesn’t get up and go off the line as good as the X1 and GLA.

[@javierj6455]

@@JonBecker81 I have 2020 Sline turbo blue for 1 year and is fantastic. Price value is the best you can get.

[@JonBecker81]

@@javierj6455 ended up getting an m240i. 😁

[@javierj6455]

@@JonBecker81 bit of a change but great choice as well enjoy it

[@JonBecker81]

@@javierj6455 yeah we definitely went in another direction.

[@mindofmission]

The stereo volume knob is not awkwardly mounted, as you uneducatedly scorn. It is exactly the correct space for the passenger. The driver’s volume and track knobs are conveniently located on the steering wheel.

[@littlechump]

Nice review! Is this Ibis White or Glacier White metallic?

[@jordanarisole]

The e-Tron and e-Tron sportback series represent a larger vehicle than the q3 and fits right in between the q5 and q7 in terms of size, but is also more expensive/premium than all of the Q line.

[@MikeyBee-]

Got the 2021 SLine and it was really good in the snow!

[@8ways2fly]

Great review! Much details and a great off-road test drive, just what I need in a review for this kind of a car. I'm seriously thinking about getting this car. A lot of roads were off limits to me because I have a limousine and not a crossover or a SUV. Thanks, enjoyed a lot!

[@irmaaguirre3953]

Love my Audi Q3

[@skyelineblue]

Please re review this vehicle on a snowy mountain 🤞🏽

[@stonkykong5239]

Fun fact about the BMW X1 electric tailgate. When it is open, press and hold the tailgate button on key until the tailgate closes. Helps a lot when you open the boot for passengers and closing it without getting out the driver seat 😌

[@Kiss__Kiss]

I do have to say, that was very impressive for a Haldex based CUV.

[@JonBecker81]

That brake limited slip is pretty impressive. I just wish they would activate sooner instead of spinning that tire against those rocks for so long. I don’t know why they can’t just put LSDs in these things.

[@legpqdtrodrigues]

Incredible 💪🏻. Audi power 👌🏻

[@ir5879]

Can you let me know if this car compares with the Kia Sportage turbo?

[@baatsamjho579]

I booked a Q3 progresiv yesterday and want to know if sequential turns lights are standard or only a part of advanced high beam kit ($900)

[@lweleven3423]

I walked passed one of these and I must say the ground clearance looked pretty good , when you referred to the forester there are different models so unsure which you compared it with , it looked more than a standard forester . Certainly looks a worthy contender for your average driver

[@zdsensei7536]

Does this Q3 you're reviewing have built in navigation?

[@mblossoms6108]

How’s the maintenance on this vehicle? Is it pretty good?

[@valdius85]

The capabilities are impressive. Great to see a "simple" AWD system can be so good. As an ex Audi fan, I am surprised that they decided to dilute the Quatro name like that. In Europe most car fans knows something about this system so Audi has lowered the prestige of the name. As a fancy CUV to the city and bad weather this is great choice. For leasing of course. I go nature often and this car is simply to expensive to be scratched by vegetation :)

[@tritchie6272]

Out of curiosity how much better is the other AWD system?

[@valdius85]

@@tritchie6272 You've asked a very open ended question. depending on the situation and which systems you compare - year, model, engine, trim etc. They all have slightly different AWD system, even though Audi calls everything Quattro. Have a look at "dusza niespokojna" for their AWD tests and ask questions there if you actually interested about technical details. They know a lot about AWD system and are happy to answer questions.

[@EpticityOG]

I’m thinking of buying this car later this year

[@paulc2548]

Wow, 8.3 inches of ground clearance is not a lot? I thought anything above 8" is good . But I can see your point because of where you took it to do your test :).

[@drivingsports]

Will be plenty for most owners.

[@willba4]

Wish you'd take the new forester down this road as well!!!!

[@willba4]

And by new forester.. I mean the new 2.5, not the strange 2.0 with hybrid, which a lot of people appear to be testing offroad in electric only mode??? :-/

[@manuelacostaapodaca1453]

In which mode are you the first part off road and the second

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Driving Sports TV Ryan, would you get this over the Rav 4?

[@pierre-richardromain6708]

I would

[@davidc4154]

I have one 2018. Love it so far. Just a rhetorical thought, This review is certainly competent but near the beginning of his gravel (off road) he talks about trying to slide the back out (and wanted to change or disable the traction control to do so). Or the "uneventful" take off just prior to the BMW comparison. I don't get this. I'm GLAD the car grips the crap out of the road and doesn't slide the back out on a corner on adverse conditions. I have a Cadillac V-Coupe and a Nissan Z car for that (Both of which, with a button, I can fully defeat the traction control and smoke the tires off the rims on bare pavement if I want). I WANT my Audi Quattro GLUED to the road in every possible condition. So if you want to drift a car, try using a dedicated rear wheel drive. Not the Quattro!

[@rbx211]

I bought this over a year ago. Love all the tech and soundproofing. A little underpowered though, so I got it tuned. I just gotta get new bigger wheels and tires and it'll be perfect 🙂

[@eliasrodriguez8234]

Any issues with the suv thinking of getting this or the GLA

[@cudder1986]

How’s it tuned? Thinking of getting and doing the same

[@alexazn4578]

A Q3 with Quattro can help you going occasionally off road. Helpful if you're not doing that too often and not too hard off road, in which case this video shows its limitations.

[@NIGHTMAREuki]

woow, im surprised, this AWS system is better than any recent Subaru which just cuts the power

[@tritchie6272]

It done better than I expected. I didn't see any reason to fualt the AWD system. However I prefer the way the Subaru cargo area looks. Maybe I'm wrong but to me the subi cargo area looks abit more functional. And for some reason I like the Subaru look abit better. However I will admit to being impressed by the way it handled that road. After seeing that it would be comforting to think of that if it started snowing or something when on the way home or something.And if my wife was at the store or something that AWD system should get her home safe.

[@armaniusmaximus]

Hi Ryan! Great video as always. Does the 2018-2020 Q5 use the same all wheel drive system? Are you aware of any changes to the front/rear power distribution when using the "off-road" or "dynamic" mode? Thank you as always.

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

Q5 uses Quattro Ultra and torsen (dependent on version), Q3 uses only haldex.

[@armaniusmaximus]

@@4x4.tests.on.rollers Can you please explain the differences between the two system? Is one more capable than the other?

[@4x4.tests.on.rollers]

@@armaniusmaximus Which two? I mentioned three 🙂 You may also watch the video on my channel with All Quattro systems.

[@ashley_mia]

I love my Q3 I have the same package. Just a fabulous drive. I had a VW SUV before, does not compare in the drive.

[@pedrorodriguez9386]

At minute 2:40, was that a VW Tiguan?

[@matthewgaines10]

The Audis make good use of braking to direct torque to wheels that grip. I have a Haldex Quattro car. I would like to see the Kia Seltos SX and Biuck Encore GX do the climb since they are new to the market (Chevy Trailblazer). I think both will run out of ground clearance early in. Kia/Hyundai does make as good use of braking wheels as VW/Audi. GM is an unknown. I suspect the DCT will overheat on the Kia and the Buick doesn't have enough power.

[@lukaszq1187]

Quattro is still the best drive in many tests.(TOPSPEED. sk , km77.com) Subaru Symmetrical AWD is the best choice when it comes to Japanese cars. Subie S-AWD vs Audi Quattro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5y3aatmqtqcaNE ;] Audi Quattro VS BMW XDrive VS Jaguar AWD : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaaaY6d3fJd8jbM ;] Audi e-tron Quattro 4x4 roller test: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGarZIt8a9Zpqrc ;]

[@aidenp5768]

Can you start doing off-road videos for BMW? Been waiting for too long😂

[@drivingsports]

Most of their test cars come with summer tires. 😬

[@aidenp5768]

Driving Sports TV That’s right!! This is why most videos of off-road BMWs suck, they all come with summer tires while they have so much capability like the new X5

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Driving Sports TV so change out the tyres...

[@aidenp5768]

jerrymyahzcat It would be cool, but changing out tires on a dealer car or whatever is not cool and not easy. That’s also the problem with BMW, they make every car sporty and when it’s time to not be sporty they have sporty shit like the tires. Their Xline models should come with a optional off-road tire which I think for the fist time the G05 is now available with that. Also another reason why we need actual proper off-road videos for BMW, all the KZbin videos of BMWs going off-road besides BMW courses, suck, everyone sucks at off-roading a BMW simply because of the tires and they always get stuck because of it, people say they’re not capable when they are, tires mean everything

[@jerrymyahzcat]

BLACK BIMMER yes, tyres do mean everything I agree.

[@WOWFE]

So, impressed with the q3 that got stuck because of lack of ground clearance but the evoque is a pass for because it doesn't take off fast enough from the starting line, even if it is 100 times better off road than the q3?

[@jerrymyahzcat]

At least you know to just keep the power on where every other muppet gives up and says oh it can’t do it and they lift off the throttle.

[@chrisrodriquez2639]

I sure would hate to be the buyer of this vehicle. I wonder what Audi does with these test vehicles?

[@Panthera-Uncia]

8:35; well, I "douthit" 😁😁😁.

[@saiiiiiii1]

Where's the X1 solo test?

[@441meatloaf]

the AWD system is pretty good even though its not quattro.

[@martinlam4249]

That "Ting" sound on 13:24 just painful, awesome video though

[@koreanfriedchildren]

e-tron is actually about the same size as the Q7 not the Q3

[@Trades46]

I too was once the "Haldex is NOT quattro!!!11" crowd, but the newest iterations and tuning on modern Audis & Volvos are proving this to be false. Sure it isn't as good on the performance aspect when you push it like Torsen or Crown Gear quattro, but it still is a very good bad weather & mild off road system.

[@thebeddoctor4273]

No cooled seats even available? I guess its off my list.

[@carlosrivera7274]

Subaru crosstrek cheaper right

[@jpch8814]

Wayyy cheaper and puny engine

[@matthewjohnson1211]

@@jpch8814 not for long!! The 185 hp 2.5 is coming in 2021...

[@lordadams5762]

More than 8 inches is plenty tho just like the toyota Fortuner

[@manuelacostaapodaca1453]

Trying in an Audi Q 7

[@JohnConnor636]

You'd think you owned those roads you're always on.

[@loneapple440]

Nice vid but too expensive. Where is your helper?

[@drivingsports]

Karleena only co-drives occasionally.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

And by" helper," you mean, "Eye Candy" lol

[@karmastarr4193]

👏👏👏👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Channel_Yo]

For the price of the S Line I would get a base Q5.

[@shoes3871]

its basically a better bigger GTI

[@mcalebeb]

pay 46k for the better rims and adaptive cruise 🤔

[@benkerry601]

8 speed automatic... In China mainland only 7 speed DCT are available for Audi vehicles cheaper than 70K USD(i.e. , below cars like A4 and Q5), with doubted reliability.

[@philipc239]

Nice little car but would rather pay a little more for a Telluride 😊

[@MichaelHartlein]

I think I would go with a MDX for a simular price range. Get a lot more space and still have the luxury car brand.

[@christyan_m.r]

The car doesn’t have auto braking because it has Audi presense basic. There’s better audi presense variants that are add ons.

[@bluehunnids887]

Volvo xc40 or this? 🤔

[@iana36s]

For the same money you can get the Acura RDX.

[@drivingsports]

True, but with less than 8-in of clearance I’d never do the road we did in this video. If you’re only driving street the RDX is one of the best choices around.

[@ianandrews5988]

Driving Sports TV Just. Saw an ad for the GLB 250 for $62000 plus taxes in Alberta Canada German vehicles are great but unfortunately over priced for what you get. Let’s not discuss cost of services. BTW love your video format!

[@ozzless]

Where is the offroad ? I'm seriously asking, this looks like a regular path to a lake or a forest where i live, and all the 12cm clearance FWD vehicles do that easily

[@DtotheS2595]

Just get a vw and save some money.

[@geochafg]

and this is how you destroy a dct gearbox!!!

[@atilasoliveira1839]

Não veio quattro para o Brasil e nem 2,0

[@witsendcottage595]

Horrible gas mileage.....

[@donaldblomberg8111]

Too expensive.

[@Aurora_v_cali]

Meh

[@wildoneback]

The ground clearance is 6.693 inches not 8.3 my friend

[@drivingsports]

8.3 in the US

[@wildoneback]

Confirmed from Audi USA it’s 6.69 inches

[@james32371]

wildoneback no it’s not

[@drivingsports]

Confirmed with Audi USA Public Relations team: 8.3.

[@jaguar2164]

Osea que es igual de alto que los suubaru, no lo creo la verdad