Audi Q3 facelift review, test drive

With new competition from Mercedes in the form of the GLA, Audi couldn't have picked a better time to unveil the facelift version of its very popular Q3 compact SUV. Ever since its launch in India, the Q3 has been a favourite amongst compact SUV buyers. With competition coming only from the BMW X1, the Q3, with its more up market interior and exterior was the compact SUV to buy. But now with growing competition, Audi has given the Q3 a mild facelift and has upgraded the engines to keep things fresh.

The major changes on the Q3 facelift are to the front of the car. The grille gets a wider chrome surround which touches the headlights on each side. The lower air intakes have been enlarged slightly, and the Q3 now comes with the option of LED headlamps on the top variant. Rest of the variants get Xenon headlamps instead of the halogen ones on the current car. The wheel arch surrounds and door sills are body coloured on the base model (they used to be black plastic), as is the rear bumper design, which now sits below the subtly reshaped taillight clusters. New alloy wheel designs finish off the refresh.

On the inside, the changes are very subtle, and include a new steering wheel, instrumentation and an updated MMI system. You get the same high quality cabin of the old car, and it’s spacious too. The front seats are big and accommodating, and the driving position is good. Rear seats, though good on space, are placed a bit low and lacks enough support.