The Audi Q3 and RSQ3 ranges carry over unchanged from 2020, though prices have increased slightly for the Q3 since its debut.

    Prices range from $46,940 before on-road costs for the Q3 35 TFSI to $92,900 before on-roads for the mighty RSQ3 Sportback.

    That means the cost of entry into the Q3 range is $550 higher than it was at the car’s launch early in 2020. These price increases came into effect late last year.

    The second-generation Q3 range has gotten off to a roaring start. In March, for example, it outsold every other small luxury SUV and even outsold a number of top-selling mainstream crossovers such as the Mitsubishi ASX.

    Pricing

    • 2021 Audi Q3 35 TFSI: $46,950
    • 2021 Audi Q3 35 TFSI S line Sportback: $50,450
    • 2021 Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro: $54,450
    • 2021 Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro S line: $59,950
    • 2021 Audi Q3 40 TFSI quattro S line Sportback: $62,350
    • 2021 Audi RSQ3: $89,900
    • 2021 Audi RSQ3 Sportback: $92,900

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines

    The 2021 Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback line-up is available with three different engines, all petrol and all turbocharged.

    Models with the 35 designation are powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo engine producing 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, with a six speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

    Next up on the Q3 ladder is the 40 TFSI quattro which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four putting out 132kW and 320Nm and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Drive in this model is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro system.

    Finally, the RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback feature Audi’s legendary 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo donk, which develops a meaty 294kW of power and 480Nm of torque.

    A seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto sends drive to all four wheels.

    0-100km/h times are 9.3 seconds for the 35 TFSI, 7.8 seconds for the 40 TFSI, and 4.5 seconds for the RSQ3.

    Fuel Economy

    The 2021 Audi Q3 uses 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle in the 35 TFSI, and 7.3L/100km for the Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI.

    In the 40 TFSI quattro models, Audi claims fuel usage of 8.3L/100km regardless of body style.

    The RSQ3 and RSQ3 Sportback use 8.9L/100km on the combined cycle.

    All models use 95RON premium unleaded fuel except for the RSQ3, which requires 98RON premium unleaded.

    Dimensions

    The 2021 Audi Q3 wagon measures 4484mm long, 1856mm wide and 1616mm tall, with a 2680mm wheelbase.

    The Q3 Sportback measures 4500mm long, 1843mm wide and 1567mm tall, with the same 2680mm wheelbase.

    RSQ3 models feature slightly different dimensions. The wagon is 4506mm long and 1602mm tall, while the Sportback is 4507mm long and 1602mm tall. Both are 1851mm wide.

    In terms of boot capacity, the Q3 wagon offers 530L with the second row of seats in place, expanding to 1525L with them folded.

    The Q3 Sportback claims the same 530L behind the back seats, though the sloping roofline reduces the maximum figure to 1400L.

    Servicing and Warranty

    The 2021 Audi Q3 and RSQ3 are available with Audi’s five-year Genuine Care Service Plan.

    For 35 TFSI and 40 TFSI quattro models, the five-year plan costs $2900 and covers the first 60 months or 75,000km. It costs $3520 for RSQ3 models.

    All models are covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Safety

    The Audi Q3 has a five-star rating from ANCAP based on Euro NCAP testing conducted in 2018.

    In terms of scoring for each crash-testing category, the Q3 achieved 95 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 76 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 85 per cent for safety assist.

    The 2018-stamped five-star safety rating is valid for all variants on sale in Australia bar RSQ3 models, which don’t have a safety rating from the organisation.

    From the base model, the Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback are fitted with low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (up to 250km/h) with pedestrian and cyclist detection (5-85km/h), as well as:

    • Lane departure warning
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic assist
    • Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors
    • Front, front-side and curtain airbags

    Adaptive cruise control with stop/go and a surround-view camera are standard on the 40 TFSI quattro and up and optional on the 35 TFSI.

    Standard Equipment

    The Audi Q3 35 TFSI comes with the following equipment:

    • 10.1-inch Audi MMI navigation plus with MMI touch
    • Audi connect plus (including online traffic alerts, Google Maps, Wi-Fi hotspot)
    • Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired)
    • Qi wireless smartphone charging
    • 10.25-inch Audi virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster
    • Six-speaker sound system
    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Power tailgate
    • Aluminium roof rails
    • Adaptive LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
    • Leather upholstery
    • 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • Ambient lighting
    • Hill descent control
    • Tyre pressure monitoring

    The Q3 35 TFSI is available with three optional packages.

    The Style Package adds:

    • Bumpers in full paint finish
    • Inlays in aluminium
    • Choice of two 19-inch alloy wheel designs

    The Comfort Package adds:

    • Electric front seats with electric lumbar
    • Heated and folding exterior mirrors
    • Heated front seats
    • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go and emergency assist

    The Parking Package, available only in conjunction with Comfort Package, adds:

    • Surround-view camera
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist

    The Audi Q3 40 TFSI adds:

    • 10-speaker 180W Audi sound system
    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • Selectable drive modes
    • Heated and power-folding exterior mirrors
    • Bumpers in full paint finish
    • Power driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar
    • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
    • Paddle shifters
    • Black cloth headliner

    Single-item options include colour-adjustable ambient lighting, heated front seats, and an electric panoramic sunroof.

    The 40 TFSI is available with the optional Premium Package, which brings:

    • Power front passenger’s seat
    • Heated front seats
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go and emergency assist
    • Surround-view camera
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist
    • Colour-adjustable ambient lighting
    • Aluminium-look interior accents
    • 10-speaker 180W Audi sound system

    Single-item options for the Q3 40 TFSI quattro include a black exterior package, heated front seats, and an electric panoramic sunroof.

    The Q3 40 TFSI quattro S line brings:

    • 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
    • Progressive variable-ratio steering
    • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go and emergency assist
    • Surround-view camera
    • Semi-autonomous parking assist
    • 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus
    • 10-speaker 180W Audi sound system
    • Rear privacy glass
    • S line exterior styling package
    • Auto-dimming heated and folding side mirrors
    • Automatic high-beam
    • Front sports seats with S embossing and contrasting stitching
    • Interior elements in Alcantara
    • Aluminium-look interior accents
    • Aluminium sill plates with illuminated ‘S’ logo
    • Flat-bottomed sports steering wheel with ‘S’ badging
    • Stainless steel pedals

    Available for the Q3 40 TFSI quattro is the optional Premium Plus package, which adds:

    • 15-speaker 680W Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system
    • Black exterior styling package
    • Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators
    • Configurable ambient LED interior lighting
    • Electric panoramic sunroof

    Single-item options for the 40 TFSI quattro S line include adaptive dampers and contrasting paint for the bumpers.

    Finally, the Audi RSQ3 adds:

    • 21-inch ally wheels
    • RS sport exhaust
    • RS-specific Audi drive select modes
    • RS sports suspension with adaptive dampers
    • RS-specific body styling
    • Black exterior styling package
    • Metallic paint
    • Rear privacy glass
    • Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS dark-tinted surrounds
    • RS sports seats in Nappa leather with honeycomb stitching
    • Tri-zone climate control
    • Five-speaker 680W Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system

    A pair of RS extended design packages ($2500) are available for the RSQ3, which add various interior trim elements in red or blue.

    The Audi Q3 Sportback and RSQ3 Sportback largely mirror the specification of the equivalent Q3 models, though the entry-level 35 TFSI S line comes as standard with the sporty S line exterior package (hence the name), and 19-inch alloy wheels.

    Personalisation options are less abundant for the Q3 Sportback, too, with fewer exterior paint options and alloy wheel designs available from the standard range.

    MORE: Audi Q3 news and reviews
    MORE: Audi RSQ3 news and reviews

    Zak Adkins
    Zak Adkins is a Contributor at CarExpert.
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