Audi Q3 Sportback SUV - Interior & comfort

The Audi Q3 Sportback is impressively smooth over bumps, whether you choose the standard suspension or the optional adaptive dampers, and it’s also very quiet. It’s a refined motorway cruiser and has plenty of tech to stave off the boredom of long trips. Compared to the previous Q3 SUV, it’s leagues apart with its modern design and state-of-the-art features.

Audi Q3 Sportback dashboard

With an interior partly inspired by some of Audi’s most luxurious cars, the Q3 Sportback really stands out. The central touchscreen, which can be up to 10.1 inches in size, fits neatly within a trim piece that’s designed to look like the car’s grille, and completely blends in when the screen isn’t on.

There’s another screen in front of the driver, whichever trim level you choose. Analogue dials have been completely replaced with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit software, which is 10.25 inches as standard and 12.3-inches optionally. Both can show information in a range of ways, including showing a full-size sat nav view but the upgraded screen is worth the extra outlay if you can stretch to it.

The materials used help cement the idea that this is a really premium product, as all are top-notch. You’ll find very few hard and scratchy plastic inside, and you can have some parts trimmed in Alcantara suede-like fabric if you want. Configurable ambient lighting is also offered, giving the interior a different feel at night.

With the Q3 and Q3 Sportback, Audi has moved away from including lots of physical buttons. Almost all infotainment controls are now done through the touchscreen, which is prone to fingerprint marks and doesn’t offer as much feedback as a button. You might find that you’re taking your eyes off the road to control different functions, and some buyers may find the Virtual Cockpit’s sharp graphics distracting. In a BMW X2, the touchscreen is mounted on top of the dashboard, so it’s closer to your eye-line, and the overall design isn’t quite as opulent as Mercedes’ latest twin-screen design.

Equipment

The four trim levels available echo those offered on the regular Q3, so the range kicks off with Sport trim. Even this trim offers everything you need, with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, sat nav, a power-operated tailgate, dual-zone climate control and DAB radio, plus a load of safety equipment.

22

S line versions come with a sportier body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and S line badges, as well as stainless steel pedals and sports seats. Above this, Black Edition spec adds a new alloy wheel style, black exterior interior trim and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Top-spec Vorsprung adds 20-inch wheels, Matrix LED headlights that give full-beam brightness without dazzling other drivers, a black styling pack and twin leather upholstery, heated electric front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a Sonos premium audio system, amongst other things. It’s impressively equipped but costs much more than the entry-level Sport trim.

Options

Audi gives you the option of adding plenty more equipment to your Q3 Sportback, and most buyers will dive headfirst into the extras list. Options include metallic paint, leather upholstery, the bigger Virtual Cockpit display, wireless phone charging and automated parking assistance.

Much of the equipment from higher trim levels is available for extra cost on Sport models, while a few different options are bundled into packs that offer better value for money than speccing the items individually.