2020 Audi Q3

"Dashing inside and out, many desirable standard features, good interior packaging." - Car and Driver

The 2020 Audi Q3 comes in 2 trim levels: Premium and Premium Plus. Audi decided to drop the Prestige trim for this year and spread its exclusive features among Premium and Premium Plus trims as standard or available packages. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. AWD comes in as the standard drivetrain for the 2020 model year. The S-line comes with the three trims, Premium, Premium Plus and the Prestige.

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If you are opting for Q3, the base Premium with Convenience package adds lots of features like keyless entry and a power liftgate. Having said that, upgrading to the Premium Plus trim is our recommendation as it adds the Convenience package features as well as blind-spot monitoring, LED headlights, and upgraded exterior and interior trim. It is a sweet deal as there is a lot that Audi adds to the Premium Plus trim for a small price bump.

"The EPA estimates that the 2020 Q3 will earn up to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway." - Car and Driver

If you thought the underpowered engine would at least offer a decent fuel economy, be ready to be disappointed once again. The Audi Q3 is nowhere near its competitors when it comes to efficiency. Be it a city drive or a highway ride, you'd be stuck with a thirsty and lazy engine. But hey, at least you'd be sitting in a comfortable seat!

With a combined economy of 22 mpg, Q3's thirsty engine is at the bottom of the efficiency barrel. The Q3 may be Audi's cheapest SUV, but it sure will cost you in the long run. The rest of the pack puts up competitive numbers. The Mercedes GLA puts up an impressive 25/34 mpg in city/hwy. The BMW also trails closely behind, with 1 mpg less in both city and highway.

The 2018 Q3 seats five people in two rows. The Q3 looks good inside and features plenty of premium materials. Both rows of seats have enough room for adults. The front seats are comfortable and have plenty of support.- car.usnews

Seating and Comfort of the 2020 Audi Q3

When you enter Q3's cabin, it feels like you have gone back in time. The Audi Q3 still uses the old Audi design and is desperately in need of a redesign. Having said that, the old design makes the Q3's cabin quite simple and clean.   The instrument panel consists of red and white gauges, but the multi-display screen is only added when you go for the navigation package. Although the instrument cluster looks good, we still miss Audi's virtual cockpit. There are many storage options inside. The center console is deep and felt-lined. It also contains Audi's proprietary connection, so you need a special cable to use that.

The shifter is traditional, and paddle shifters are only added to the sports package. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, but you have some weird and dated toggles to adjust the temperature. A panoramic moonroof comes standard. The moon-roof is large, and its front portion opens up nicely. Even in the rear, the armrest has a storage space that is felt-lined.

The Audi Q3 uses standard leather seats which are available in black, rock grey, and chestnut brown colors. Premium Plus has standard aluminum color, but balsamic brown walnut is also available for $350. 12-way power-adjustable seats with 4-way lumbar support are standard on the driver's as well as passenger's side. The sport pack also adds thigh extensions. The Premium Plus trim also adds 3 stage heated seats.

Infotainment of the 2020 Audi Q3

If you thought the engine and handling were Q3's Achilles' heel, brace yourselves because Q3 has even more to disappoint you. Unlike its rivals or any vehicle these days for that matter, the Audi Q3 does not come with any standard infotainment system. You'll have to opt for an available package to add the MMI interface.

And once you add an infotainment system, it's not the end of your misery. Audi placed the control knobs so high on the dash that reaching them while driving is a feat in itself. The standard system includes a 10-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Optional upgrades include a Bose surround sound system, the MMI infotainment system, and navigation.

Cargo of the 2020 Audi Q3

Although the Audi Q3 is not the most luggage accommodating vehicle out there, the cargo storage is satisfactory, given the list of problems Q3 has in other departments. The cargo space with all seats up is not impressive, but once the 2nd row is folded, the Q3 provides more storage than some key rivals.

The BMW X1 is the king in cargo storage, with a maximum capacity of 58.7 cubic feet and 27.1 cubic feet, when seats are up. The Mercedes provides a little more storage than Q3 when seats are up, but lags behind when seats are folded.

Interior Features of the 2020 Audi Q3

Here is a list of the standout features in the Audi Q3's cabin:

• Proximity-key entry
• Power lift-gate
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Bose surround sound system
• MMI infotainment system
• Navigation
• LED headlights and taillights
• Audi Side Assist

The 2020 Audi Q3 stands out for its striking design outside and its big tech inside. -Car Connection

Design and Dimensions of the 2020 Audi Q3

When you look at the Q3 from the front, it looks quite reminiscent of the bigger Q5 and Q7. It has the new angular version of the single-frame grille. On either side of the grille, you get the headlights, which are LEDs in Premium Plus and Xenon HIDs in Premium. Down below you get the S-line, which is now standard. The S-line adds to a more aggressive look for the Audi Q3.

When viewed from the front, Q3 doesn't look that small. But once you look at its side profile, it's easy to see how compact Q3 really is. From the back, it looks uncannily like a shrunken Q5. The taillights are LEDs with dynamic turn signals in Premium Plus trim. Dual exhausts and roof rails are standard. Premium Plus adds a rear diffuser.

Exterior Features of the 2020 Audi Q3

Some of the exterior features include:

• LED headlights in Premium Plus
• Xenon HIDs in Premium
• Heated and power adjusting side mirrors
• Audi's Side Assist in Premium Plus
• 19 inch 10 spoke titanium alloy wheels in sports plus package
• Standard 18 inch turbine alloy wheels
• 19-inch off-road design wheels with sports package.

"The Q3 has earned a five-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and it was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)." - Car and Driver

The safety rating of the 2020 Audi Q3

IIHS gave Audi Q3 their maximum rating of Good' in all their crash tests. The headlights, however, got a rating of Poor. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also awards the 2020 Audi Q3 with the maximum any car could ever get, a five out of five-star rating. However, the Q3 gets a couple of four-star ratings when we go to check the individual safety ratings. It scores a four-star rating in the aspects of Rollover and frontal crash. Based on the brand's fine reputation, one can believe the 2020 Q3 to be safe enough. It gets a host of safety features to offer, a brief list of which is given below:

Safety offering of the 2020 Audi Q3

• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• Engine Immobilizer
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Stability Control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Traction Control
• 4-Wheel ABS

2020 Audi Q3 vs 2020 BMW X1

The BMW X1 has several advantages over the Audi Q3. They start with BMW's powerful engine and nimble handling, Audi falls short on both accounts. BMW also has one of the most spacious cargo capacities in the segment, almost 10.0 cubic feet more than Audi. X1 also comes with a standard infotainment system. Although Q3 can get an infotainment system with an additional package, it is still not as intuitive as X1's. Audi's ace in the hole was its luxurious cabin, but BMW one-ups Audi is this department, too. All in all, BMW X1 is just a better car than the Q3.

2020 Audi Q3 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLA

It's the same story with the Mercedes. The GLA provides a better fuel economy than Q3. The GLA is more fun to drive, saves more money, and handles swiftly. Both SUVs have similar cabin and cargo space, but the Mercedes GLA has more techs and features. The GLA comes with a standard infotainment system, available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and many more active safety techs. However, it is worth noting that Audi's cabin is more luxurious and comfortable. So, if you are ready to sacrifice basically every aspect of a car that makes it desirable for a little extra luxury and upscale interiors, go for the Audi Q3. Or, you know, go for the Mercedes. It's so much better than the Q3 in most departments.

The Q3 is Audi's least expensive SUV, so expecting a full-blown Audi experience is kind of a stretch from the start. But Q3 is severely underpowered and lacking in almost all aspects except for cabin quality. If it were a basic company, we'd get it. But Q3's mediocrity is enhanced by its parentage. No matter what aspect you choose, there is a rival who provides a better experience in that aspect. Rivals like Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Infiniti QX30, and many more provide so much more at the same price. So, if you wanna buy an Audi Q3, just don't. There are better options available, and if you wanna own an Audi, Audi has a plethora of better options for you.