2018 Audi Q3 35 TDI Review
Car Tested: 2018 Audi Q3 35 TDI; Road Test No. 929
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 45.33 to 49.06 lakhs
This minor facelift for the Q3 brings slight changes to the exteriors & interiors
The Audi Q3 has been around since a lot of years now and while competition has moved ahead, this compact luxury SUV is still on sale and to keep the product line-up fresh, the Ingolstadt-based automaker has given the SUV a minor facelift which brings about small tweaks to the exteriors and interiors while the core of the vehicle remains similar.
Motor Quest: Based on the PQ35 platform, the Audi Q3 made its debut in India back in 2012. The diesel model was launched first and then, a year later came the petrol version. Audi currently stands third among the luxury car manufacturers in India in terms of volumes and the Q3 has a very pivotal role to play here.
The exteriors make do with very minor revisions
Exteriors – The 2018 Audi Q3 remains vastly unchanged but there are some visual differentiators. To start off, there is a revised front bumper with a silver skid plate but the LED headlights with the LED DRLs continue to feature as before. The sides remain untouched and continue with the Y design 10-spoke alloy wheels while the rear profile is also identical to the previous model. The Audi Q3 looks a proper SUV thanks to its butch design and the all-around black cladding.
The interior gets few tweaks but misses out on some features
Interiors – The interior too remains largely unchanged and continues with the dual-tone black and beige upholstery with Aluminium Tangent inlays. While we have no complaints with regards to the quality of the materials used, the cabin itself feels dated. In terms of features, the baby Audi gets a panoramic sunroof, cruise control, MMI infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, electrically adjustable front seats, automatic climate control and rear AC vents. What is really surprising is the fact that we’re in 2018 and the Q3 still doesn’t get even a single standard USB port! Both the front and rear seats are comfortable and offer good support. Headroom is generous in the rear seat while the knee room is limited. Having said this, the cabin can accommodate 4 adults as the transmission hump at the rear seat will make the third passenger feel he/she is uninvited. The 460-litres boot is well-shaped and is class leading.
Performance – The 2018 Audi Q3 35 TDI continues to draw power from the same 2.0-litre diesel motor that produces 181 HP of power from 3500-4000 RPM and 380 Nm of torque from 1750-3000 RPM. Featuring Audi’s quattro system, the powerplant comes mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission. This oil-burner is supremely refined with good NVH levels but initially, there is some turbo lag. Step on the gas and once past the turbo lag, the engine pulls cleanly and shows off its strong performer characteristics. The gearbox is quick in its responses but sometimes at low speeds the tranny tends to get a bit confused.
The Q3’s diesel motor offers a good balance of performance and economy
The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, TDI mill is known to be very robust and reliable
The Audi sprints from 0-100 km/hr in a claimed 7.9 seconds while returning an average fuel efficiency of 11-12 km/l. The ARAI-claimed figure is 15.17 km/l. The vehicle comes with Audi’s Drive Select which offers 4 driving modes – Comfort, Dynamic, Individual and Off-Road mode. The modes alter the driving experience and Dynamic makes the car feel very responsive while in Comfort it drives in a relaxed manner. Off-Road is good in well, off-road conditions and it is a pretty capable car.
The Q3 performs quite well in off-road conditions/p>
Driving Dynamics – The German auto giant hasn’t altered the suspension of the Q3 and it rides and handles the same as before. There is nothing to complain about as the ride is very stable and the SUV soaks up almost every undulation on our roads. It is also fun to drive and takes corners in its stride, of course you cannot expect sedan-like handling but considering it’s an SUV, body control is very good. What’s bad is that the steering lacks feedback. It is very light at low speeds though. However, the brakes do a great job of bringing the car to a halt while the grip from the Bridgestone tyres is excellent.
With the new Q7 and Q5 out in the market, it’s time for the next gen Q3 to come soon
Verdict – The 2018 Audi Q3 35 TDI is undoubtedly a very good SUV with a good balance of performance, mileage and ride and handling. Of course, there are some features missing and honestly, it feels a bit outdated after looking at some modern SUVs, especially from Audi itself. So while the Q3 has brought in a lot of sales for its maker in India, the company is likely to bring out the next generation Q3 in the near future and that should help them get even higher sales numbers.
The Audi Q3 is offered with a 1.4-litre petrol engine too
What’s Cool
* Continues to be a good-looker
* The TDI engine has a lot of grunt and the gearbox is quick too
* Fun to drive, has good off-road performance too
What’s Not So Cool
* Feels a bit old now
* Misses out on some equipment
Alternatives: Mercedes GLA and BMW X1
Audi Q3, BMW X1 or Mercedes GLA – your choice?
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Further Reading –
2015 Audi Q3 Review
Audi Q3 vs Mercedes GLA vs BMW X1
Audi Q3 vs Mercedes GLA vs BMW X1 – Video
Audi Q3 Dynamic Review
Audi Q3 Review
Audi Q3 Petrol Review