2017 Audi Q3 facelift review, test drive

What is it?

Five years is a long time in the life of any model, so you have to hand it to the team at Audi for doing their bit to keep their small SUV, the Q3, fresh and relevant over the years. What you see here are two of the three new versions of the refreshed Audi Q3 line-up. The one in red is the all-new 30TFSI (Rs 32.2 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi) that uses a 150hp, 1.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol. The engine is the one you’d find under the hood of the A4 and the refreshed A3, but, unlike the smaller of the two sedans, there’s no cylinder-on-demand tech here. This new petrol Q3 features a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox but is front-wheel drive only. 

The blue Audi Q3 is the range-topping 35TDI (Rs 37.2- 41.2 lakh). As before, it is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine but power is up four percent, taking the final figure to a stronger 184hp. The engine comes mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Also, importantly, this is the only version of the Q3 that gets Quattro all-wheel drive.

The third Audi Q3, the 30TDI (Rs 34.2 lakh), slots in between the above two in terms of price. It runs the aforementioned 2.0 diesel, albeit in lower 150hp tune, and is front-wheel-drive only. However, this one too features a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; there’s no manual Q3 in the refreshed line-up.

The Q3 range refresh is accompanied by a mild facelift, the second in two years. Distinguishing the 2017 Q3 is the redesigned front bumper that gets larger faux air inlets and a more generous dose of plastic cladding. There are also new streaks on the plastic door runners and 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and LED tail-lamps with ‘dynamic indicators’ (they swipe in the direction of the turn) are a standard across the range. In all, the Q3 remains a handsome small SUV, even if less flashy than Mercedes-Benz’s GLA.

What’s it like on the inside?

There are no major changes to report in the cabin. The Audi Q3 carries forward with the same neat dashboard and generally user-friendly interior. Quality is up there with more expensive Audis and though the seats are not real leather but leatherette, the ambience inside is what you’d expect in a premium SUV. You sit reasonably high up in a Q3, the front seats are generous in size and support and even the rear seat is spacious enough for two adults to sit in comfort.

With the update, Audi has streamlined the variants on offer. The 30TFSI and 30TDI can only be had in Premium trim while the 35TDI is available in Premium Plus and Technology trim too. What is nice is that even the Premium variants get much wanted goodies like a panoramic sunroof and electrically adjustable front seats. The Premium Plus trim doesn’t get more features but adds in richer aluminium-look inlays. The top-spec Technology variant is pricey but your money does get you paddle shifters, SD card-based navigation, a reverse camera and a colour multi-info display in the instruments binnacle among other features.

The Q3 runs Audi’s MMI infotainment system. It is easy enough to use but the interface doesn’t look as slick as that in the newer Audis and there’s no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support either.