Cuteness reloaded: Audi Q3 promises an extraordinary ride quality

It still looks cute enough to make you sit up and stare in awe, but this isn't about how good the Q3 would look in your driveway. This is about the heart transplant that this compact SUV just underwent. Under the beautifully sculpted bonnet sits the new 1.4-litre TFSI motor, seen on the refreshed A3, which is mated to Audi's brilliant six-speed, dual-clutch S tronic automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the petrol-powered Q3 misses out on the famous quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi has also ditched the cylinder-on-demand feature, present in the A3, in this variant of the Q3.

Being the perfectionists that they are, Audi has also revamped the aesthetics by a small margin. Most of the changes appear on the exterior with the Q3 now getting a new bumper with larger air inlets and more black claddings to give it a more aggressive look. LED headlamps and daytime running lights (DRL) are now standard as is the panoramic sunroof. The cabin, however, remains pretty much the same as before with top-quality material and fit-and-finish. Although the upholstery is now leatherette, the cabin still exudes a premium feel.

The new Q3 is powered by a 1.4-litre, in-line four, turbocharged motor that develops 150 PS and 250 Nm. Now, this very engine has won a number of accolades around the world and we have already seen it in the recent iteration of the A3. The question here is how well it does in the Q3. Honestly, we were surprised the moment we turned on the engine. The refinement of this motor is extraordinary. It came to life without making any sound. The only indication that the engine was running was a visual one: the tachometer needle moved from 0 to less than 1,000 rpm and just sat there, idling. Initially, we thought it might be because of the well-insulated cabin, but even when we stepped outside, the engine was hardly audible.

Cabin is well-equipped and nicely put together

Engine chatter was non-existent - a proof that the engine retains its superb refinement. Driving at city speeds made us realise how well this engine does in terms of power and torque delivery. The 250 Nm of torque arrives at 1,500 rpm, without a hint of turbo-lag, thus lending the Q3 great driveability just like before. It comes smoothly, in a civilised manner and stays till 3,500 rpm, giving the Q3 great low- and mid-range delivery. The six-speed S tronic box, too, works flawlessly. The gear-shifts are lightning-quick, and the transition from one cog to another is quite seamless.

Connectivity is handled by Audi's MMI system. Pics/Sanjay Raikar & Saurabh Botre

This new engine is the smallest in the Q line-up. However, it measures up nicely in terms of performance and efficiency. The Q3 30 TFSI takes just 7.37 seconds to go from 40 to 100 km/h, giving it enough pulling power to overtake without breaking into a sweat. What also impressed us was the fact that despite such good performance, this 1.4-litre petrol motor doesn't guzzle. It returned 16 km/l on the highway and 9.5 km/l in the city: remarkable for an engine capable of such performance. Driving the Q3 was always a pleasurable experience, and the 30 TFSI is no exception. The steering is well weighted and has ample feel and feedback. There is hardly any understeer despite it being a front-wheel-drive compact SUV.

Huge sunroof makes for an airy cabin

The suspension setup is spot-on. It gobbles up small, medium and even large undulations and bumps without a problem. The ride quality is superb because of this brilliant setup. Handling is on the fun side as the Q3 can take corners like a pro, sticking to the chosen line without giving rise to jitters. There is almost no body-roll and the grip from the tyres is quite impressive.

We are always surprised to see how well Audi updates their cars, and the Q3 30 TFSI is the latest example of this. It's a compact SUV that handles like a car, has a brilliant ride quality, superb suspension and steering, ample features and a highly capable engine and gearbox. The petrol-powered variant is probably the best in its class thanks to the aforementioned qualities and Audi's reliability. Besides, the cute Q3 looks like a proper SUV and not a hatchback on stilts. So, if you are in the market looking for a petrol-powered compact SUV within R40 lakh, then the Q3 30 TFSI is a powerful contender for your custom.