Test drive Audi Q3 35 TFSI 150 CV S-Tronic, five reasons to buy a petrol SUV

Although many of the Audi Q3 sales in our country are diesel models, the trend is changing and more and more petrol engines are being sold in every segment, including SUVs.

A veteran, but an interesting one, today we bring you a petrol SUV proposal, with the road test of the Audi Q3 35 TFSI S-Tronic, with 150 CV and an C label. Are you looking for space? Do you live in a city and like SUVs? Here are five reasons to go for this Audi Q3 35 TFSI.

1. SUV and petrol: sometimes it is the sensible choice

If you need a spacious car, live near an urban area or do less than 20,000 km a year, choosing a petrol car is the most sensible option and will save you a lot of trouble in the future. Today’s diesels are not designed for urban environments or for covering few kilometres a year, and that can later translate into future problems.

On the other hand, this 150 CV engine has a reasonable consumption and carries a C label. It is also the entry version of the range and therefore has a more accessible price than other plug-in hybrid variants.

2. Interior space and practicality

The Audi Q3 stands out especially for its interior space, with a slightly raised driving position and a spacious cabin. The finish is more than correct (the maturity of the brand shows in this respect) and there are various storage spaces throughout the interior for our belongings.

The rear seats can slide longitudinally, to gain more legroom or more boot space, a very practical detail, in addition to several compartments for small objects at the rear.

All of this gives this SUV great versatility, which is very much needed in a segment where there are currently no alternatives in the MPV category.

3. Petrol engine, correct and smooth

Audi has used the 1.5 TFSI block with 150 CV, to power its entry-level petrol version called the 35 TFSI. It is a competent engine, not abundant in power, but its 150 CV let us move nimbly in all kinds of situations, though it feels a little “soft” at high revs or when we switch to dynamic mode.

In return it is an extremely smooth engine, with a very comfortable ride. My recommendation is to pair it with the manual gearbox, since it always lets you squeeze a little more out of every horse, but if you are after maximum comfort, the S-Tronic gearbox will deliver it.

4. Relatively moderate consumption

Perhaps driving a petrol SUV may be off-putting when it comes to consumption, even more so if we add an automatic gearbox to the mix and even 20-inch alloy wheels “Audi Sport“. Yet despite all this, the version we tested has a very sensible average consumption, with an average of 7 litres per 100 km on the open road (a figure that would drop substantially with smaller wheels).

Meanwhile, on a mixed route, urban and country roads, consumption rises to 9 litres per 100 km, again figures that could be reduced with the standard 18-inch wheels.

Overall, it is a very reasonable consumption for a petrol SUV.

5. Audi Q3 from 46,000 euros

As standard the Audi Q3 comes with a fairly complete equipment list (front LED lights, 18-inch wheels, digital instrumentation, ambient lighting, MMI Plus radio, six speakers, braking and collision assistants, among others).

Our unit with the “Black Line” finish adds a series of black exterior details that give it a sporty touch, such as the “exterior S package”. It also has several eye-catching extras such as the “Premium SONOS sound system with 3D sound”, which replaces the Bang & Olufsen system, offering a more than correct quality for a reasonable price (645 euros).

In short, by choosing the equipment pack wisely, a petrol entry version can end up with a more sporty look, which makes complete sense depending on what you are looking for.

Photos | Test team

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverAudi Q344 versions · from 46,620 €