Gone are the days when SUVs were snapped up as soon as they arrived in the showroom.
The boxy high riding sports utility is still dominant but the world is changing and what was flavour of the month last year can quickly become an also ran swamped by sleek new offerings from our buddies in China.
Audi is a case in point. It has a big Q range of high quality SUVs but against new rivals like BYD, Omoda and X-Peng the German company’s styling is conservative to say the least, leaving its Spanish partner Cupra to carry the flag on ground breaking styling as we saw with the Tavascan reviewed last November.
At least Audi took the hint first turning the ordinary looking A5 into arguably the most desirable executive saloon on the market and it has done the same with Q3, its top selling compact SUV.
It needed a big facelift and boy did it get one with the main focus at the front. The bold grille, and beefed up headlight signature shouts ‘look at me’, and the emphasis on lighting carries over to the tail, particularly the red outline on the four rings. Clever touch.
And it has not stopped there, inside has been given a complete makeover with a raft of new tech. Out go the traditional dials to be replaced by a letter box style digital driver’s display alongside an impressive curved 12.8 inch touchscreen. Impressive not just because it looks good but the commands get a lightening response. Would we expect anything less from an Audi?
Then there is the steering column. Busy place, lots of buttons on the wheel but no stalks, instead a 40cm wide bar with the gear shift at one end and lights and windscreen switches on the other, I say switches but the wipers are controlled by a rotating disc no bigger than a supermarket trolley token. A bit fiddly but all right when you get used to it.
So a completely new set up, yet the cruise control unit is still badly positioned below the steering wheel (as it has been for decades) and is not even backlit so is even harder to operate at night.
As is the Audi way, the materials and finish are top notch and cabin lighting plays a big part with a pencil lead thin neon strip across the dashboard and either side of the centre console. They change colour depending on the drive mode, red for dynamic, blue for comfort and green for efficiency, or just stick with white.
Space, front and back is on par without being exceptional, while the boot is a good size and can be turned into a substantial hold all with the rear seats folded.
Q3 has always been my ‘go to’ for a premium compact SUV and the new model has raised the bar even higher. The suspension experts have taken on the challenge of perfecting superb balance and handling with exceptional ride comfort and won hands down.
Audi is still offering diesel power but the focus is on petrol hybrid and my choice is this 1.5 litre mild hybrid. You can go bigger but this unit offers the right mix of performance, economy, and value for the money. I averaged 40mpg over nearly 400 miles, and on a couple of longer trips knocked on the door of 50mpg, helped by hybrid technology that shuts down two cylinders at lower speeds to save fuel.
A more expensive but interesting option is the petrol plug-in hybrid with a potential 74 miles electric driving. That sort of range covers everyday journeys for most households and takes away the range anxiety syndrome of an all electric car.
This third generation has put Q3 back in the limelight and not a moment too soon as opposition like BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Lexus UX as well as would be rivals from Kia, Nissan and Mazda are like baying wolves waiting for the kill.
What the wife says: Q3 is comfortable and great to drive and my only complaint is the reflection at night in the passenger window of the decorative light strips which is distracting.
My favourite feature: Any number but the accolade goes to the rear camera screen wash. Simple but effective.
Fast facts
Q3 S Line 7-speed S tronic
£41,100 (starts £38,300)
1.5 litre; 148bhp
0-62mph 9.1secs; 130mph
44.8mpg combined
143g/km. 1st road tax £540
Insurance group 22
Boot: 488-1386 litres
Towing capacity: 2100kg
