7/25/2023 0 Comments Audi q3 driving impression![]() ![]() Think sporty character combined with everyday usability and practicality and you’ll have an inkling of what the upgraded Q5 is all about. ![]() In the third quarter of 2021 a better and even more attractive version arrived in South Africa. Its Q5 is no different and has been a favourite in the premium mid-size segment across the world for many years. They’re always elegant, beautifully crafted and with an understated yet distinctive character that sets them apart from the crowd. I have yet to drive an Audi that I didn’t like. As such, I have an affinity for German cars because – let’s be honest – nobody does premium better than the Germans.Īudi is a case in point. Electric windows, leather seats, a high-end sound system, premium finishes, plenty of driver aids, comfort features galore, a comfortable ride and good performance… these are the things my middle-aged dreams are made of. Granted, there are a great number of affordable, attractive and competent vehicles out there, but at my age one appreciates and yearns for the finer, more luxurious (and obviously more expensive) things in life. I’m ashamed to admit it, but after three decades as a motoring journalist I’ve become a bit of a car snob. Liana Reiners has a soft spot for Audi’s Q5 and explains why. Just about every brand offers one, or more, so when it comes to choosing one it pretty much boils down to personal preference and budget. If you stick the Drive Select system in Efficiency mode, the S tronic automatic transmission decouples drive whenever you lift off the throttle.Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are a dime a dozen in South Africa at the moment. The extra complexity of the Q3’s quattro four-wheel-drive system is likely to mean heavier fuel consumption than I’m used to, but the car has a trick up its sleeve here, too. There’s plenty of other kit been added, too, taking the price for our model up from £28,460 to more than £40,000. To ensure I make every appointment in the packed Auto Express diary, I’ve even had the Q3 fitted with winter tyres, so it should be unstoppable whatever the weather brings. As a result, I’m one of the few people in the office hoping for a bit of snow this winter – I can’t wait to test it. Yet the Q3 is a proper compact SUV thanks to its quattro 4x4 drivetrain. The Sportage is available with four-wheel drive, but our model was front-wheel drive, with the emphasis firmly on efficiency rather than traction. The other big difference between the Audi and the Kia is the number of driven wheels. The tall ride height is also handy, as it means I don’t have to bend over awkwardly when using the boot as a work bench. I needn’t have worried, as there’s plenty of space in the back and the fixed parcel shelf is a great place to rest cameras while I retrieve other pieces of kit from the boot. One early concern about the Audi, though, was the size of its boot, as I’ve got quite a lot of camera kit to transport. I have more than 50 albums on the built-in hard drive, so there’s always something different for me to listen to. Road and engine noise are minimal, and our car’s brilliant Bose sound system (£690) makes even the longest journeys bearable. I reckon it has the smoothest ride of any current Audi. Audi Q3 vs Range Rover Evoque vs Volvo XC40.BMW X1 vs Audi Q3: 2022 twin test review.I’m relishing the extra performance, as the Kia relied on a smaller 1.7-litre diesel.Īs staff photographer for Auto Express, I spend a huge amount of time trawling the motorway network on the way to photo locations, and the Q3 is perfectly at home among all the executive saloons and HGVs. Its 175bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine is super smooth and has plenty of torque. One area where the Q3 trumps my old car is under the bonnet. The devil is in the detail, though, and the quality of the finish and materials inside is very high. The firm’s Russian doll approach to styling polarises opinion, and as I was shown around the car for the first time at Milton Keynes Audi, I couldn’t help but feel that it doesn’t look as good as my Kia. My first impression is that it doesn’t address one of the biggest complaints about Audi. I’m looking forward to finding out if it’s worth the premium asking price. I’ve spent a year behind the wheel of our long-term Kia Sportage, so the next car on the Gibson driveway has a lot to live up to, but I think I’ve found something that’s up to the job.Īudi is expanding its range to fill every possible niche, and the Q3 is its smallest off-road offering.
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