Like it or not - small premium SUVs and crossovers are quickly becoming the most popular body styles in town and it's not hard to see why.
These right-sized crossovers promise a great combination of commanding ride height, interior versatility, parking-lot-friendly footprint and the added bonus of posh badges on their noses.
Now Audi has given its Q3, first launched in 2011, an update to keep it looking fresh and punching hard.
Up close and Personal
From the front it's easier to tell this refreshed example from the outgoing model - the most obvious change being a daring interpretation of Audi's Singleframe grille. It is now more angular in design, and it's finished with satin silver trim that merges with new LED head lights - as seen on the new Q7.
Like most facelifts, Audi has also designed some new alloy wheels while towards the car's rear, the bumpers get a refreshed look, LED tail lamps and dynamic turn 'scrolling' indicators that are borrowed from the four-ringed marque's premium models.
Slip into the cabin, and the Q3 is like a micro version of everything we admire about a modern Audi interior. It's cleverly designed, well laid out, beautifully finished and the doors close with a solid thud.
However, while the build quality is as top-notch as ever, the dashboard's design is a little bit dated - especially the 7.0-inch MMI display - in comparison to the newer A3 Sportback's layout.
There's a standard powered tailgate too so loading and unloading is made more convenient. Although the cabin is on the compact side, there's as much room as an A3 Sportback inside. And with a 460-litre boot, the Q3 is very practical too.
The Drive
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre TFSI engine that cuts the 1.4-litre's 0-100km/h time by 1.3 seconds, which is quick for a small crossover and ample for a family car.
We also achieved a fuel efficiency of some 10.6km/L during our time with the car, during which the larger engine displayed markedly more responsiveness and gusto than the smaller 1.4-litre mill.
With 180bhp and 320Nm on tap, there is a broad band of peak torque that makes it feel more muscular than you might expect and perfectly useful for overtaking.
While this motor is a little thirstier than its smaller brethren, its in-town turn of speed, and effortless power delivery make it genuinely impressive for the majority of daily driving tasks.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre TFSI engine that cuts the 1.4-litre's 0-100km/h time by 1.3 seconds, which is quick for a small crossover and ample for a family car.
We also achieved a fuel efficiency of some 10.6km/L during our time with the car, during which the larger engine displayed markedly more responsiveness and gusto than the smaller 1.4-litre mill.
With 180bhp and 320Nm on tap, there is a broad band of peak torque that makes it feel more muscular than you might expect and perfectly useful for overtaking.
While this motor is a little thirstier than its smaller brethren, its in-town turn of speed, and effortless power delivery make it genuinely impressive for the majority of daily driving tasks.
It also helps that the seven-speed S-tronic gearbox shifts precisely, too, further adding to the driving appeal for those of us that like to have a bit of fun.
Adding to the fun is the quattro all-wheel drive system, which delivers that sense of surety we've come to expect from Audi, making the Q3 feel planted and assured, like a hatch, with good traction to back up its controlled body.
Somehow or rather, the chassis and suspension seem to have been recalibrated as well. The car feels more composed and refined over road undulations than we've experienced before.
Conclusion
With the updated Q3, Audi has added a little more polish to an already polished car. With great build quality, a premium image and a sturdy foundation, the small crossover still makes a good case for itself in its segment.
