Audi Q3 Sportback TDI S line Black review

Meet the Audi Q3 Sportback TDI S line Black, a sloping-roofed crossover for just over R1 million. A million rand used to buy you a full-blown executive sports saloon or SUV. Nowadays, it buys you the second smallest offering in the marque’s compact crossover range. And we’ll say it up front: this is not an attractive new car. Striking, yes. Specced to the hilt, for sure. But we defy anyone to pick it out of a line up as good looking.

AUDI Q3 SPORTBACK TDI S LINE BLACK

Nevertheless, when you’re inside it you could care less how it looks. Because Audi’s new cockpit is the main event. Better still, the brand always rolls out the same tech across all its models. So, no matter if you’re in a Q8, A3 or Q3, the hardware is democratised. A curved panoramic display houses an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen. This represents a massive improvement over the outgoing technology.

It gives the dashboard a sleek, floating-glass look that’s good looking and easy to navigate. Standard kit on this test unit also includes MMI navigation plus, OLED lighting (with a cool start-up light show), Audi Connect services, automatic climate control, interior ambient lighting, leather upholstery and electric tailgate/towbar. Luggage space isn’t too badly compromised by the low roofline either. 488 litres with the seats up, 1 289 litres with the rear seats folded. That’s only about 100-litres less than the Q3 SUV that offers 1 386 litres folded.

DIESEL TDI SIPPER

Under the bonnet sits the firm’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel. It produces 110 kW and 360 Nm, the latter available from just 1 600 rpm in the rev range. It’s quick rather than fast but shove comes from a wide, low plateau, which is exactly what you want from a diesel daily commuter. You don’t wring its neck. You lean on it. As ever, power goes through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic. And the transmission rarely feels like it needs to hunt for the right cog.

Performance wise, the numbers confirm the temperament. Zero to 100 km/h takes 9.2 seconds and top speed is 208 km/h. You see, brisk enough to merge and overtake without drama, but not the Audi performance model the dark 20-inch alloy wheels and S line addenda might suggest. Moreover, Audi quotes a claimed consumption of around 5.0 l/100 km. And real-world driving with trucks and Ubers that won’t move out of your way timeously, you’ll return closer to 6.5 l/100 km on a mixed cycle.

THE VERDICT

So, what about the cost? Well, the Audi Q3 Sportback TDI S line Black isn’t exactly classified as a bargain at R1 002 300. And our test unit’s lavishly specced options list took it somewhere beyond R1.1 million. But here’s the thing, it’s polished, quiet, comes with a gorgeous cabin and – like it or loathe it – the styling package does turn heads.

The Sportback silhouette does the heavy lifting and that coupe-style rear gives the Q3 a sleeker presence than the regular SUV. Plus, the S line Black spec adds a lot of nice-to-haves visually. If you have the money to spend and want a premium compact crossover that looks slick doing the daily grind, this one is hard to fault. Our time behind the wheel absolutely flew by, as did the miles. And as a result, we haven’t been in anything this accomplished all year probably.

THE FIGURES

• Audi Q3 Sportback TDI S line Black
• Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
• Power: 110 kW @ 3 800 rpm, 360 Nm @ 1 750 rpm
• Performance: 0-100 km/h 9.2 seconds (claimed)
• Economy: 5.0 l/100 km (claimed) / 6.5 l/100 km (tested)
• Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
• Price: R1 002 300 (starting from)