Audi Q3 SUV - Practicality & boot space

The latest Q3 is a little bigger than its predecessor – an essential move given increasingly spacious rivals. It remains a strict five-seater, though, and those in search of space for seven might find the Audi's asking price better spent on a Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace or Kia Sorento.

Audi Q3 interior space & storage

The latest Q3's growth spurt brought a 97mm increase in length and 18mm greater width than its forebear, to the considerable benefit of rear-seat occupants. The fifth passenger might complain about a rather firm, high-set centre perch, but the outer seats are very comfortable with lots of headroom and space for knees and feet. Depending on the size of the rear-seat occupants, the rear bench can be slid forwards and backwards through a 150mm range of movement, and the backrest adjusts for angle.

Front-seat occupants are more likely to feel the increased width than the greater length – driver and passenger are spaced comfortably apart and each has room to spare. There's a lot of adjustment available for either seat, but other SUVs trump the Q3 for visibility; as you sit slightly lower than in the previous model, the latest Q3 can't provide the commanding down-bonnet view that some buyers crave. Overall, we reckon it's roughly neck-and-neck with the BMW X1 for interior room.

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Boot space

Standard sliding rear seats move back and forth by up to 150mm, scores the Q3 extra points for versatility. With the rear bench in its forward position, there's 675 litres of boot space on offer, although only small children are likely to be truly comfortable with the seat thus positioned. If the rear seat is set for maximum legroom, there's still 530 litres of luggage room available – enough to trump the Volvo XC40's 452 litres and only just shy of the BMW X1's 540-litre boot.

Fold the rear seats out of use entirely and the Q3 offers 1,525 litres in total, which is a lot more than the XC40's 1,336 litres. There are clever touches, too, such as a parcel shelf that can be stored under the boot floor, and LED spotlights in the tailgate to help with after-dark loading. At extra cost, you can get a hands-free tailgate that opens when you sweep your foot under the rear bumper.