Sleek styling and new grille are evident in a larger, second-generation 2019 Audi Q3 S line quattro.
As it stands today, the Q3 will be hard-pressed to gain the strong following of the Q5, Audi’s compact-sized SUV, which is considered one of the finest crossovers in the country.
The Q3’s exterior style is pleasing at a glance, and the chronos gray metallic finish is like so many hues today which are altered in color, depending on what amount of light is cast their way. Inside, contrasting the light gray exterior, are strips of alcantra in bright orange. The center stack features a large touchscreen for multimedia, which sits atop the climate controls, with old-fashioned knobs.
Seats are of good structure and leather finish, and even those in the back slide fore and aft and recline. Much of the black dashtop and sun visors are somewhat cheap in appearance.
The second-generation Q3 rides on a wheelbase of 105.5 inches, an increase of 3 inches, and weighs just short of 4,000 pounds. Its cargo area measures 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat; fold it down and that expands to 48 feet.
Among luxury subcompact SUV competitors of the Audi are the Volvo XC40, BMW X1, Lexus UX and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Other than a definite turbo lag, the Q3 performance is decent. A 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo generates 228 horsepower, tied to an 8-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Fuel mileage seems a bit low, with EPA estimate of 19-27 and my average of 22.6. The 2019 Volvo XC40, 200 pounds lighter than the Audi, carries a 23-31 mpg estimate and I averaged 28.6 with it.
The new Q3 seems reasonably priced, from a base of $36,000 to $44,990 sticker. Among $8,000 of added options are Bang & Olufsen sound, MMI navigation, lane-departure warning, side-assist and rear cross-traffic assist, phone box with wireless charging, 20-inch wheels and S line sport seats with contrast stitching.
Among standard items are panoramic sunroof, heated leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and power tailgate.
The Q3 is built in Gyor, Hungary.