A few months after the debut of the new second-generation Q3, Audi has given it the “Sportback” treatment. And based on its looks alone, do you still want the ‘normal’ Q3?
While we still wouldn’t call the Q3 Sportback handsome, we think the sloping roof and the chopped off D pillars complement the Q3’s audacious face and those muscular arches better than the non-Sportback Q3.
There’s even a hint of Lamborghini Urus from the rear three-quarter view, and that’s not a bad thing for something that costs a fraction of the Italian bull. But apart from the lower roof and a new rear bumper, the Q3 Sportback is identical to the Q3.
As expected, luggage space is slightly compromised. But at least the rear seat still accommodates three and they slide, recline, and fold flat to offer a maximum load capacity of 1,400 litres (125 litres less than the standard Q3).
It’s heavily kitted too, with Audi connect online services that shows real-time traffic info, Alexa cloud-based voice service by Amazon, and Google Earth navigation.
For the European market the Q3 Sportback can be had in either the 45 TFSI quattro S tronic with 230 hp or the 35 TDI S tronic with 150 hp. Both engines are 2.0-litre four cylinder units, but the latter runs on diesel. Afterwards they will be joined by another diesel option with a higher power output as well as an entry-level petrol mill with 48 V mild-hybrid system.
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