New Audi Q3 Sportback: the compact SUV from Audi in coupé form

It’s official: this is how the Audi Q3 Sportback looks, the coupé version of the new Audi Q3, which offers a sportier style without losing versatility for everyday use. It arrives at dealerships in autumn.

Continuing the SUV offensive from Audi, this time with a variant that is going to be very interesting. This is the new Audi Q3 Sportback, which we can consider the coupé version of the Audi Q3.

Based on the test drive of the Audi Q3 range we carried out during the first contact, judging by the first images and taking into account the information provided by Audi, we can get a very accurate idea of what buyers of the new Audi Q3 Sportback can expect.

The design of the Q3 Sportback: sportier than the Q3, just as practical

We are looking at a very modern SUV, with an image that conveys even more sportiness than the Q3 itself, which already has a very well-executed design. It does so mainly through the downward-sloping roofline and the shape of the rear, which is where we find the most differences compared with the Q3.

There are also differences in elements such as the bumpers, the grille pattern, the shape of the air intakes, the rear diffuser and the light units.

Externally, both the 4.5-metre length and the 1.84-metre width remain practically unchanged. That said, the Sportback stands 1.56 metres tall, so it is about 3 cm lower. Curiously, thanks to the effect of some styling elements, the Q3 Sportback visually appears even larger than the Q3.

From a practical standpoint, its coupé body has very few drawbacks. If anything, access to the rear seats is slightly more difficult because of the lower roofline in that area. And rear visibility is probably worse than in the Q3 because of the more sloping rear window. Some rear headroom is lost, but it is not a critical issue.

Beyond this, Audi made a smart decision in keeping versatility of use, even though the Q3 Sportback is an SUV with a sportier character than the Q3. For example, it does not lose boot capacity, which remains variable from 530 to 1,400 litres, with a loading floor that can be set at two levels and the option of an electric tailgate that can be closed with a foot gesture under the bumper.

The rear bench with longitudinal adjustment is also retained. Moving up to 130 mm, it lets you adjust the cabin to favour legroom for rear passengers, or to increase boot capacity when no one is sitting there, or when children who do not need as much knee room are travelling.

Otherwise, the dashboard design and the control concept for the various systems in the Audi Q3 Sportback do not differ from the Audi Q3. The digital instrumentation Audi Virtual Cockpit is standard, with a 10.2-inch screen. Optionally, a “plus” version of this instrumentation is offered, with more display modes and a screen enlarged to 12.3 inches.

With the top-level infotainment system, MMI Navigation plus, the central multimedia screen is 10.1 inches. It is slightly angled towards the driver and offers touch and acoustic feedback when a command is confirmed. Conventional controls remain for climate control, along with a row of buttons for direct access to some driver assistance systems and for changing the driving mode in Audi drive select.

Lugage compartment

As in the Audi Q3, there is no shortage of voice control system, a wide range of safety and driver assistance systems, and all the services included in Audi connect, with Alexa, Amazon’s cloud voice service, as one of the main new features. The user can keep their smartphone connected to the vehicle through the free myAudi App. Integration is available both with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and in the case of an iPhone the connection can be wireless.

Two engines at launch, Mild Hybrid versions later on

For the market launch, the Audi Q3 Sportback will not offer all the engines of the Q3. In diesel, buyers can choose between the 150 hp 2.0 TDI of the Q3 Sportback 35 TDI S tronic, which will soon also be available with a manual gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive. The petrol alternative, the 45 TFSI S tronic quattro, sits a step higher with 230 hp.

A more powerful diesel is expected later, which in the Q3 range is the 40 TDI with 190 hp, paired with the S tronic gearbox and available in front-wheel drive and quattro versions. The entry-level engine by price will be the 35 TFSI with 150 hp. In both cases, they will arrive with Mild Hybrid technology.

All Audi Q3 Sportback models will come with Audi drive select as standard, which adds an offroad mode to the usual driving modes in Audi. Among the chassis-related options, electronically controlled damping and a hill descent control system can be fitted.

The new Audi Q3 Sportback will be available at dealerships from autumn. There are no prices yet for the Spanish market, although it could be around 2,500 euros more than the equivalent mechanical version of the Audi Q3. It will also depend heavily on whether the Sportback, beyond its aesthetic differentiation, adds extra equipment compared with the Q3 with the same engine.

Audi Q3 Sportback image gallery