Audi Q3 2.0 TDI

 

What‘s it? This is actually the cheapest way in towards the cute and compact Audi Q3 SUV. Ignore the faintly ludicrous £33, 090 after-options ‘as-tested’ price from the car driven here ; a considerably less challenging £24, 560 buys you a front-drive, 138bhp 2. 0 Audi Q3 2.0 TDI engined example in SE trim with a six-speed manual gearbox. What’s it like? Appealing, inside a no-nonsense – at least not much nonsense – way. It might merely be driven by its front wheels, and just possess a out-dated, low-tech manual gearbox, and just produce 138bhp from its 2. 0-litre turbodiesel engine, however the essence of what defines the Q3 this type of desirable motor to begin with is undimmed. Basically, this can be a stylish if understated premium SUV but using the restrained footprint of the family hatch. The Q3’s cabin isn‘t visiting win awards for spaciousness, especially inside the rear, though it‘s an extremely well-executed bijou driving environment. And you also won’t waste a split Saturday afternoon circling the town centre trying to get yourself a parking space to suit the car into.

On the open road the 138bhp motor is really a proven and willing performer, as well as for the foremost part you won’t miss the extra 36bhp from the higher-powered variant. You‘ll, however, notice the almost effortless 50mpg-plus fuel economy, stretchable to nearer 60mpg having a careful right foot on gentle motorway runs. You may also notice occasional traction issues when gassing hard from junctions or roundabouts like the inside front wheel spins and slips a split revolution or so. When the thousandths of the second in lost journey time this costs you‘ll make a daily difference between life and death, you then probably need to some shell out for any quattro Audi Q3 2.0 TDI ; the remainder of people will make do with front-wheel drive.

Should I buy one? This will depend where you’re coming from. If you’ve got £25k to invest on the small-ish SUV then that cash will, for instance, buy you an admittedly slightly larger but extremely well-equipped Skoda Yeti. However, if you’re sold on Audi’s premium-quality build and associated badge kudos, and you also need a compact car using the benefit of an SUV’s raised ride height and over-hedge viewing facility but don’t need four-wheel drive or perhaps a dual-clutch ’box, then this could turn out to be an eminently sensible purchase. And when you plan on covering lots of miles you can’t argue against the 138bhp 2. 0 TDI’s everyday-achievable 50 – and much more – mpg. Overall, a likeable, sensible, high-quality compact premium SUV. Just go easy on the choices list. Audi Q3 2. 0 TDI SE 140 Price : £24, 560 ; Price as tested : £33, 090 ; 0-62mph : 9. 9sec ; Top speed : 126mph ; Kerb weight : 1445kg ; Economy : 54. 3mpg (combined ) ; CO2 : 137g / km ; Engine : 4 cyls in line, 1968cc, turbodiesel ; Max power : 138bhp at 4200rpm ; Max torque : 236lb ft at 1750-2500rpm ; Gearbox : 6-spd manual.