By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

Audi continued to target the ever-growing market for premium-badged mid-sized five-seat SUVs with this second generation F3-era version of its stylish little Q3. In this form, the car became cleverer, smarter and more efficient, all of these attributes needed for it to make headway in this crowded segment. When it comes to this kind of car, there are certainly cheaper options on the used market. The question though, is whether there are really any more desirable ones.

History

The Audi Q3 wasn't the first premium-badged family hatch-based SUV, but following its original launch in 2011, it's long been the one that's tended to define its growing segment, selling 1.1 million examples in a MK1 production run that lasted from 2011 to 2018. In broader terms, this class can essentially trace its origins to the launch of the first Nissan Qashqai in 2007, which took straightforward Golf and Focus-class underpinnings and clothed them with SUV-style packaging. Buyers loved it so much that other manufacturers flocked to copy the concept, including the premium brands, who saw great potential for posher versions of this kind of car. BMW's X1 was the first smartly-badged family hatch-based SUV to hit the market - in 2009, but Audi weren't far behind, launching the first generation 8I-era version of this Q3 in 2011, which was about the same time as we also saw another defining class contender, the Range Rover Evoque. After that, this sub-segment expanded hugely, first with the Mercedes GLA in 2014, then with a more competitive second generation version of the X1 in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, these models were joined by the Volvo XC40, the Jaguar E-PACE and the car we look at here, the third generation F3-era Audi Q3. Which arrived just before the Lexus UX and a second generation of the Range Rover Evoque joined the fray in 2019. There's lots of choice then if you're looking at a small premium-badged SUV from the 2018-2024 period, which gets even wider if you start to consider similarly-sized and similarly-priced upper-spec versions of more mainstream-branded 'Qashqai-class' SUV models with pretensions to this posh sub-segment. Cars like Volkswagen's Tiguan, Honda's CR-V and Toyota's RAV4 - maybe even fancier versions of the MINI Countryman, the Jeep Compass and the Infiniti QX30. On top of all that, in 2017, the Q3 line-up gained in-house competition from the brand's only slightly smaller Q2 model. All of which left Audi's fourth best selling design rather struggling to justify its place, both in its chosen segment and in Ingolstadt's own line-up. Hence the need for this second generation Q3, which was sold with two body shapes - SUV and Sportback. With this generation Q3, there was a much more purposeful look and a cabin that invited quality comparison with the only slightly larger Q5. To suit the prevailing market trend, it was safer and better connected too, plus buyers got a strong range of TFSI and TDI engines further optimised for efficiency. A sleeker Sportback body shape arrived in 2019. And 2019 also saw the introduction of a top 2.5-litre 400PS RS Q3 flagship variant, with both body shapes. The MK2 F3-era Q3 sold until mid-2025, when it was replaced by a third generation FJ-series design.

What You Get

Audi took a very conservative approach to shaping the first version of this model, toning down the extrovert styling of the Cross Concept Quattro concept car it was based upon. By 2018 though, SUV buyers expected more of a pavement statement, so this second generation design obliged with a taller profile, boxy flared wheel arches, a less rakish bonnet and a more upright windscreen. It was certainly more noticeable, especially in brighter colours. Once you've enter in through the long doors, you'll discover yourself to be in the digital age, courtesy of what is probably the classiest cabin in the segment from this era. For the first time on a Q3, there was the standard fitment of a digital instrument screen to replace conventional dials, offered in either 10.25 or 12.3-inch forms. There was also a 10.1-inch 'MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch' centre-dash display that came as standard with 3D sat nav. As for interior design, well the focal point at the front was a reductive instrument panel, which featured high-gloss black finishing and flowed from the driver's door to the centre of the fascia, with a row of horizontal vents just above. In the rear seat, the key change lay in the addition of a sliding, reclining seat that gave this Audi a real advantage over most of its rivals in this segment. Such a thing cost extra on a BMW X1; you couldn't have it at all on, say, a Volvo XC40 or Jaguar E-PACE from this era. This bench can go back and forth over a range of 150mm; and it's one-third/two-thirds split so that you can have one part of it forward and part of it back - which you might want if, for instance, you've got a child seat on one part that you need to turn around to tend to; and an adult passenger sitting on the other. Obviously, in its forward position, knee room will be tight except for small children, but with it pushed right back, as it will be most of the time, even a couple of six-footers will be able to stretch out in a way that you simply wouldn't expect to be able to do in a car of this class. And out back? Well, it's mostly all good news. Boot space rose markedly over what had been provided by the previous generation model, the 530-litre capacity figure representing a 110-litre increase. That's 25-litres more than a BMW X1 from this era and 98-litres more than a Volvo XC40, even before you start moving the rear bench about. If that's not enough to deal with the cargo you have in mind to take, then total capacity with everything flat is 1,525-litres.

What to Look For

Most owners in our survey seemed happy, but there are various things you need to look out for. A common issue with the second generation Q3 relates to water leaking through the sunroof. It might pay to put the car through a car wash and check that this isn't an issue. We also had a lot of reports of unresponsive touchscreens, flickering dashboard warnings or infotainment freezes. Software updates often resolve these, but persistent issues might require expert diagnostics. We've heard that automatic DSG transmissions in the second generation Q3 can sometimes feel jerky or hesitate throughout gearshifts. This is often down to low transmission fluid or software glitches; look out for this issue on your test drive. We've also heard of start/stop system failures - and squeaks and rattles from worn shock absorbers or tie-rod ends, which you'll notice particularly on rough roads. Look out for a bumpier-than-normal standard of ride quality on your test drive. We've heard of high mileage petrol Q3s burning oil faster than expected or developing leaks from the engine or transmission. And some owners have reported faster-than-expected brake pad and rotor wear, sometimes needing replacements within 20,000 miles. Older diesels can sometimes suffer from diesel particulate filter clogging. We've heard of issues with disabled rear view cameras, caused by software bugs or damaged wiring. A recall throughout 2021 and 2022 flagged up damaged fuel tank vent pipes which could cause spills during refuelling. Check if the car you are looking at was affected. If the Q3 you're inspecting is upholstered in Alcantara or leather, this may show premature wear, like peeling trim or fading. Otherwise it's just the usual things. Check the alloy wheels for scuffs, the interior for child damage and make sure you insist on a fully stamped-up service history.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on a Q3 35 TFSI 2020 - Ex Vat - autodoc.co.uk) An oil filter costs in the £5-£43 bracket. An air filter's in the £8-£53 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £22 to £57 bracket for a set; for a rear set, it's around £22-£58. Front brake discs sit in the £26-£51 bracket; for a rear pair, you're looking at around £20-£51. Starter motor prices vary widely - from £144-£488, depending on brand. As do costs for an alternator (anywhere in the £144-£510 bracket we found).

On the Road

By 2018, the dynamic standard in this segment had been raised quite a lot since Audi had launched the original first generation Q3 and this MK2 model evolved accordingly. At launch, we particularly noticed the ride quality enhancement. Even with big wheels fitted, this Q3 cushions the bumps really effectively in a much more sophisticated way than its predecessor. Few other class rivals from this period better it in this regard. To the point where you may not feel it necessary to seek out a model whose original owner paid extra for the adaptive suspension that was optional on most variants. Combine that with exceptionally good refinement and you get an extremely accomplished cruiser. There were significant handling enhancements with the MK2 design too, but they came with a typical Audi caveat: somewhat lifeless steering. Which is a pity because if you can work through that, this MK2 model Q3 is a big improvement over its predecessor if you want to start pushing it along a bit through the corners. Body roll is well controlled for an SUV and (aided by the stiff MQB chassis and torque vectoring) there's plenty of grip and traction, even without the quattro 4WD system - which you can't have on the 150PS variants that most Q3 customers will buy. There are two, the 1.5-litre 35 TFSI petrol variant, which in manual guise on 18-inch wheels is able to return up to 46.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 140g/km of CO2. The alternative is a 2.0-litre 35 TDI diesel. Both models were usually bought with smooth 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto gearbox. The other minority-interest engines in the range have to have four driven wheels and S tronic transmission. There's a 40TDI derivative that gets a more potent 190PS version of the 2.0-litre diesel. And a larger 2.0-litre petrol unit available in 190 and 230PS states of tune in the 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI variants. At the top of the range was the petrol 400PS RS Q3, which used Audi's classic 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo powerplant.

Overall

How should we judge this second generation Q3? There are probably more interesting small premium SUVs of this kind from this era that you could consider. Whether there are any better ones though is another question. This was, after all, one of the most practical and versatile premium model in its segment from its period. Inside, it also feels the most technically advanced car in its class, courtesy of its 'Virtual Cockpit' instrument screen and its interactive 'Audi connect' media connectivity. Which all contributes to the extra dose of sheer feel-good factor that you'll get from having one of these on your drive. The way that Audi packaged all of this up won't appeal to everyone. But a certain kind of customer will probably like it very much indeed.