Audi Q3 Sportback: Is this our favorite too?

Visually, the new Q3 Sportback knows how to please with its expressive lines and sloping coupé rear. «Looks really smart,» says the neighbor approvingly. We go one better and show him the Audi's impressive welcome ceremony. The 23 segments per side of the digital LED daytime running lights perform a real dance of lights as we approach the SUV coupé - useless, but cool! In addition, the individually controllable segments of the Matrix LED headlights (surcharge: 1420 francs) with micro LED module technology ensure more precise illumination at night without dazzling oncoming traffic and shine with light guidance functions for assistance - really powerful.

Control unit behind the steering wheel
The fact that the roofline of the Q3 Sportback is 29 millimetres lower than the «normal» Q3 SUV is noticeable at the rear. Tall people would like a little more headroom here. And if the driver takes a look in the rear-view mirror, the view to the rear is not very good. On the other hand, the excellently finished interior with high-quality materials is impressive. The cockpit, in which the 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch touchscreen appear to merge into a curved panoramic display, is fantastic. It really makes an impression. In contrast, the flat control unit behind the steering wheel takes some getting used to at first. Gear selection on the right, windshield wipers and light functions on the left. It seems overloaded.

Really greedy for curves
Fortunately, you soon get used to the new way of putting the blinker behind the steering wheel instead of next to it. The SUV offers excellent handling, good road holding and precise steering, which we appreciate on winding roads in the hilly Appenzell region. This makes driving fun! The test car is powered by a four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine. The two-liter engine with 195 kW/265 hp and 400 Nm as well as all-wheel drive is pleasing, but 8.3 l/100 km everyday test consumption is not low these days.

If you want to be more economical on the road, you should probably opt for the tried-and-tested two-liter diesel (110 kW/150 hp and 360 Nm) or the e-Hybrid (200 kW/272 hp and 400 Nm) - unfortunately, neither is available with 4×4. Incidentally, the electric parking brake would benefit from a little more dynamics; in the tester, it always takes a second to release, which makes starting off jerky. Too bad. Overall, however, the five-door did a good job. So perhaps it could be enough to win an election here too.

Expert opinion: Audi Q3 Sportback
The «Swiss favorite car» does its job well, but as a powerful 4×4 it has its price: from 64,450 (test car 85,624 francs). So the ride in the compact Lord of the Rings must be worth something.

Advantages
+ excellent driving behavior
+ Chic cockpit with new operating world
+ impressive light greeting

Disadvantages
- Slow-release electric parking brake
- Visibility to the rear rather poor