Test Drive: 2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik

On the road, the Q3 provides tight, confidence-inspiring handling without imposing a harsh ride. Turn-in is quick and precise, and the Q3 feels well balanced and stays remarkably flat in the corners — clearly its width helps offset its rather tall stance. There is some tire noise evident on the highway, but the Q3 is stable and planted when cruising along, and noise levels in general were low. Audi’s Drive Select control is standard, and while I found the distinction between Comfort, Auto and Dynamic to be fairly subtle I did have an overall preference for the slightly firmer, quicker-reflexed Dynamic mode.

The transmission’s Tiptronic sport mode is controlled via steering wheel–mounted paddle shifters. On the bright side the transmission snaps off rev-matched downshifts in Sport mode, but I found the shift paddles to be a bit small and flimsy-feeling, and there felt like too much delay when responding to upshift requests. In automatic mode it behaved itself well, with nicely timed shifts that never left me wanting for power. Overall, the driving experience is really quite good, and while the Q3 may not be exciting to drive, exactly, it’s certainly very rewarding to drive. Its refined nature makes it a decent little highway cruiser, and its compact dimensions make it an excellent city runabout.

Pricing for the front-wheel-drive Q3 starts at $37,895 including the $2,095 destination fee, which is a bit of bargain when measured up against the Audi’s closest competitors: the BMW X1 starting at $38,995 destination in and the Mercedes-Benz GLA starting at $39,275 destination in. Of course there’s plenty of room to move upward from there, because even though the Q3 is well equipped in base form there are plenty of available options, and even paint will cost you $890 unless you opt for plain black or white.

With its Quattro system and Technik trim my Glacier White Metallic test car carried a $40,900 base price before destination fees, and in addition to its paint charge ($890), Sport package ($1,600) and Navigation package ($1,950) it also has upgraded 20-inch wheels ($800) and adaptive headlights ($300) for an all-in test price of $48,535 including the $2,095 freight charge. At that price the Q3 is starting to play ball with some of its bigger rivals, but for those who genuinely appreciate its city-tailored small-car practicality and who place a premium on luxury, the Q3 still makes a lot of sense. It may be small, but it’s got game.

Pricing: 2015 Audi Q3 Quattro Technik
Base Price (Quattro Technik): $40,900
Options: $5,540 (Glacier White Metallic paint, navigation, Sport package, adaptive headlights, 20-inch wheels)
Freight: $2,095
A/C Tax: $100
Price as Tested: $48,635