Audi Q3

THE Audi Q3 is an easy car to classify because it offers typical Audi traits in a compact-SUV package.

- Jordan Katsianis

It's mechanically related to the Volkswagen Tiguan, to the point of sharing its key powertrain options, but this is no bad thing. Starting at around £37,000, the Q3 is not a cheap SUV compared with its direct rivals, but it isn't unattainably expensive either. Higher-specification powertrains and equipment grades can cause prices to edge much closer to £50,000, however.

As was the case with the previous generation, two bodystyles are available: SUV and Sportback. Both are largely identical aside from the roof height and the slope of the rear screen.

The engines are all four-cylinder units linked to a DSG gearbox. There are two petrol options, plus a diesel, but the big news comes in the form of a new plugin hybrid variant.

The model we're driving features the entry-level unit, and in this case it’s a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Peak power is rated at 148bhp, with 250Nm of torque. It's an exceptionally refined unit, but can struggle in a car as heavy as the Q3. It has lots of low-down torque, which stops it from appearing too tardy at low speeds, but when pushed it can feel quite underpowered, as its 9.3-second 0-62mph time suggests. A BMW X1 does a better job.

The Q3 drives well enough, with accurate steering and good grip, but we found variants with more power and more weight have greater fluidity. Indeed, the new adaptive suspension is worth mentioning, because it does an excellent job of blending a comfortable ride and a sporty driving experience. These dampers come with a clever dual-valve design that features excellent bump absorption in Comfort mode - even on the 20-inch wheels and tyres of our test cars. Sadly, they're only available on top-spec Edition 1 models.