PREVIEW
Building on the success of its midsize Q5, Audi will soon offer a smaller crossover with the 2015 Audi Q3. Although late to the premium compact crossover party, Audi should have little trouble making up ground with its third SUV in the United States. The Q3 will use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, which should deliver lively acceleration and enough low-end muscle for the cargo duties expected of a small SUV. Front-wheel drive will come standard, with all-wheel drive an available option.
The Q3 is nearly 10 inches shorter than the Q5, but will still offer a useful 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down (16.2 cubes with the seats up). Along with standard features including 18-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and heated 12-way front seats, the Q3's options will include sportier front seats, a navigation system with 7-inch display, a 14-speaker Bose audio system and a power liftgate. Available safety features will include blind-spot monitoring, parking assist, a rearview camera and rear seat side airbags (side curtain airbags come standard).
The Q3 will also offer three driver-adjustable dynamic modes: Auto, Dynamic and Comfort. We drove a Q3 in Europe and found it unnecessarily firm in anything but its Comfort setting. While the SUV offers plenty of grip and suppresses body roll quite well, its speed-sensitive steering doesn't allow much road feel to come through. A more rugged A3 it is not.
The Q3 sells in Europe for around $40,000. That kind of money buys a Range Rover Evoque in the U.S., while one of the Q3's main rivals, the BMW X1, starts near $31,000. We expect the Q3 to fall somewhere in the middle, especially when the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class arrives. Check back for a full review of the 2015 Audi Q3, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.
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