SUVOTY I Contenders
Audi Q3
PRO Futuristic IP and console • Nimble handling • Big rear seat for its class
CON Lots of interior plastic • Bouncy ride • Merely adequate powertrain
Following industry trends, Audi has allowed its subcompact Q3 crossover to grow into something that can fit standard-sized Americans.
The first impression is strong. Familiar Audi exterior styling is smartly tailored to the small package, so much so that it was often mistaken for the identically hued and decidedly more expensive E-Tron.
Similarly, the dashboard—with its standard digital instrument cluster and wide, frameless touchscreen infotainment system—will make prospective buyers feel like they’ve stepped into a much more expensive model. Our top-shelf Prestige S-Line tester was well equipped with a premium stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera, justifying its $8,200 premium over a base model.
The price becomes harder to justify, however, when your eyes dip below chest level, where cheap plastic abounds. Multiple judges called out the center-console. It’s plain and stark and headed by a blank panel, where the ignition button and volume knob have been seemingly dropped into a sea of plastic.
The judges had universal praise for the enlarged, capacious rear seat—bonus points for USB ports and separate vents— even if it comes at a cost to cargo space. Audi’s implementation of wireless Apple CarPlay is notably better than BMW’s.
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
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This story is from the January 2020 edition of Motor Trend.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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2023 Lexus RZ
Lexus says it will make only battery-powered vehicles by 2035, and the new RZ 450e is the brand’s first dedicated EV. This midsize crossover indicates Lexus’ future lineup will have luxurious appeal, but we find this first effort lacking in crucial areas.
2024 Land Rover Defender
The Defender 130 is a tricky one to judge. On one hand, it potentially improves upon a design and package we previously lauded enough to crown as our 2021 SUV of the Year in the form of the standard Defender 110. The 130 is more than a foot longer than the 110 and has more room for people and stuff, stretching the existing design into a new body style. (The 130’s wheelbase remains unchanged.)
2024 Kia Seltos
If you’ve been a fan of Kia’s recent styling direction but don’t want to pay top dollar for it, the 2024 Kia Seltos is a great way to get a rolling piece of that design aesthetic at a reasonable price.
2023 Jeep Compass
When asked to identify an off-road vehicle, the average person will point to just about any Jeep.
2024 Hyundai Kona
The Kona enters its second generation for 2024 with a new design language. It’s larger than the outgoing Kona, too, and its uncommonly ornate (for this class) and unmistakable design is something we’re already seeing in other upcoming Hyundai products. Having really liked the previous Kona, would our judges warm to this one?
2023 Ford Escape
The Escape is one of those SUVs that hasn’t ranked at the top of its class for a long time, but every time we drive one, we’re pleasantly surprised. Although it perpetually feels a little outdated, there’s some inherent goodness baked into the Escape.