Subcompact crossovers are all the rage these days in luxury and non-luxury guise, small enough to toss around on the road yet big enough to haul four adults with a modicum of cargo in a relatively fuel efficient package.
On the luxury side, the Audi Q3 entered the U.S. market for the 2015 model year after being sold in Europe and elsewhere since 2011 proving it’s never too late to jump into a growing segment. Audi has joined the fray with an appealing vehicle that comes with impeccable interior quality and the somewhat usual Audi exterior styling. In fact, unless parked side-by-side the small Q3 could be mistaken for its larger and extremely popular sibling, the compact Q5.
Unfortunately for Audi the competition in the subcompact ranks is growing, and entering the North American market with a slightly aging platform can put a company at a disadvantage. For that reason, Audi wasted no time updating the Q3 for the 2016 model year with freshened front-end styling and by adding such standard features as front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera making it as good as any we have seen in the small lux-crossover segment.
We were less impressed with the Q3’s only available drivetrain, the long-running turbocharged 2.0 L 4-cylinder making 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine provides adequate performance and should be up to the needs of most owners, but the fact is the Q3’s sister vehicle, the equally new A3 sedan, gets a revised 2.0 L that makes 220 hp and runs 0-to-60 times under six seconds.
That said, the Q3 offers adequate 0-to-60 time measured at 7.8 seconds. Our performance disappointment aside the Q3 is up to the competition in most areas including the use of weight-saving materials like aluminum and high-strength steel. That keeps the curb weight at about 3,600 pounds. EPA mileage numbers are average for the segment rated at 20 mpg city and 29-highway with front-wheel drive and 20/28 with all-wheel. Combined fuel economy is 23 mpg for both formats on premium gas.
