If you ask me what is particularly outstanding about the Audi Q3, it's really hard for me to give an accurate answer. It seems that it has a certain strength in all aspects, but it cannot be its selling point. But why does it continue to sell well in a world of strong enemies? Because it conquers everyone with the art of balance.
Among the entry-level SUVs of traditional luxury brands, the Audi Q3 is a product that must not be overlooked. Even today, domestic new energy SUVs in the same price range, especially new power SUVs, are popular, we can still find the new Audi Q3 with temporary license plates on the streets. What's with? As mentioned in my title and introduction, the Audi Q3 has been interpreting a balanced artistic beauty to people since its birth, and it has no particularly outstanding highlights or advantages, regardless of design, luxury, technology, comfort and driving control. In other words, if you have a budget of 300,000 yuan but don't know how to choose a car that suits you, then you can't go wrong with choosing Audi Q3. So, of course, our topic is also indispensable for the participation of this master of the art of balance. Due to the car arrangement, we didn't get the new Audi Q3 (2024 model) that will be launched in August 2023, so I resigned myself to the next best thing, and I drove the 2023 Q3 at home to the shooting set, which was the top model of the Q3 at that time, the 45 TFSI Quattro, which was stylish and dynamic.
I don't know if you have noticed, most of the Q3 driving on the road today is the 40 TFSI version, because it uses 2The 0T engine is also moderate, and it does not need the help of the four-wheel drive system for people's daily cars, so it has been favored by many Q3 prospective owners. So why did I choose the top option? First, in the case of larger terminal concessions, the price difference between 45 TFSI and 40 TFSI has almost been smoothed out, and there is no such thing as considering cost performance. Second, the elders in the family have certain long-distance self-driving and light off-road needs, and the higher-power engine combined with Audi's famous quattro four-wheel drive system can make every trip more relaxed and safer. Moreover, as the top-of-the-line model, the 45 TFSI Quattro is also the best model for the Audi Q3 to show off its artistic balance. In a later article, I will also refine some of the changes to the 2024 model in the corresponding section to give you a more intuitive comparison.
As you can see, the new generation of Audi Q3 has given up some of its roundness and become tougher than the previous generation, as if it is showing off its masculine side. The S-Line dynamic octagonal one-piece grille and large side air intakes give the Q3 an unprecedented domineering aura. The design of the lamp group is no exception, and the standard of the whole series of LEDs should be matched with the "lamp factory". Of course, the matrix arrangement is only available as standard on the 45 TFSI variant, but some other models are available as an option. However, the aggressive daytime running lights and wide indicators are the highlights, which elevate the Audi Q3's "good-looking" characteristics to a new level, and even have a "small Q8" sense of déjà vu. The silhouette of the side of the car makes us instantly recognisable as an Audi, and the designers have cleverly linked the front and rear light clusters through layered lines, and the front and rear wheel arches have a strong muscular feel, like a beast ready to attack. You know, this is just a German luxury entry-level SUV, but it gives people the feeling of an American muscle car.
The highlight of the rear is still in the light clusters, which echo the headlights in perfect harmony with the headlights, both in terms of shape and internal structure. Overall, the design of the Audi Q3 is both aggressive and powerful, and it is more in line with the aesthetic line of the young people of this era than the previous generation model. The changes of the 2024 new Q3 are mainly in the reshaping of the front grille style, distinguishing the dynamic type from the fashion type through different patterns, and also adding two new paint colors of Avalon Green and Quantum Gray.
The cabin of the Audi Q3 has many things that can be customized, such as materials, color schemes, etc., and this dynamic model shows a sporty atmosphere in suede and red.
Open the door,Audi Q3Dynamic interior with red and black color and suede door panels、Seats to show the sports atmosphere,Human-computer interaction has adopted a new MMI digital virtual cockpit design,But compared with higher-level models,The screen in the air conditioning control area has been replaced by physical keys,I believe this will not surprise everyone,Look at it from another angle, this design is more conducive to blind operation。
In terms of screens, the Audi Q3 offers a 12 for most mid- and high-spec models3-inch all-digital gauge and 10The 1-inch central control touch screen, but compared to higher-level models, the instrument screen no longer provides the display of navigation maps, but focuses on its own job of displaying driving information, but you can still switch the display mode through the view button on the steering wheel. 10.Although the 1-inch central control screen is still Audi's set of operating logic, it has built-in access to the Audi Internet technology service Asterix Android application platform and Audi smartphone interface, which can be used in the app store at any time to ** need third-party programs (such as navigation can be set as navigation or AutoNavi navigation) or directly project your mobile phone to the screen, although there is no large screen like a game notebook in today's new energy vehicles, but fortunately, the necessary functions will not be missing. In addition, the center console is tilted 10 degrees towards the driver to facilitate the operation of various functions. The strength of the 2024 model is that block 10The 1-inch screen has become the standard, and the 8 of the low-end modelsThe 8-inch screen is a thing of the past.
Since this generation of Q3 has been expanded in size compared to the previous generation of the original version, the domestic version of the model has not been lengthened again, after all, there is also a Q5L pressure array on it, and Q3 only needs to serve its own audience. Even so, the significant increase in length, width, height, and especially the wheelbase provides plenty of legroom for rear passengers. Not only that, Audi Q3 also made some tricks for the practicality of the rear row: the rear seats can achieve 150 mm of movement before and after and the backrest angle can be adjusted in 7 levels of "feat", and support 4:2:4 folding to expand the trunk space, the floor of the trunk can also be adjusted in height, suitable for loading heavier luggage. When the cover above the trunk is not in use, it can be hidden under the floor to save space, as if by magic. This is also the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 are completely different understandings of space practicality, each taking what it needs.
In terms of performance, this 45 TFSI uses the high-power EA888 series 2The 0T engine, with a maximum power of 162 kW and 220 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, is paired with a still sharp 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. It's just that in comfort mode, the gearbox minimizes its presence, and the engine also reins in its own nature, trying its best to create a pleasant driving atmosphere for the customer. The front and rear independent suspension filters out most of the vibrations on the road while driving, and it looks like an American SUV at this point, and with excellent sound insulation and a Sonos sound system (optional), you'll forget about its new rugged design and instead enjoy the rare comfort.
Of course, if you switch the driving mode to dynamic, then the familiar "Deweier" will return. Both the engine and the gearbox are happy to give full play to their abilities. The Audi Q3 is no less fun than driving a sedan in Sport mode on winding mountain roads, with a multi-link suspension that gives the body full support for continuous direction changes, and the gearbox is always in the right low gear to wake up the strongest power for the next corner. The front of the car is extremely responsive to steering commands, but the heavy force of the steering wheel is still a little unrealistic, and the electronic tuning lacks some of the natural feel, but it doesn't hurt in such a dynamic driving mode.
In addition to the four driving modes of Comfort, Automatic, Dynamic and Personal, the quattro version of the Audi Q3 also includes an off-road mode. In this mode, the electronic stability system, the quattro all-wheel drive system, the power delivery of the engine, and the gearshift response of the gearbox are all aimed at providing maximum traction and ensuring that the vehicle can easily maneuver through difficult road conditions. Slope Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are also standard on the Quattro version to cope with the tougher conditions that may be encountered, which is why the elders of the family are looking for the 45 TFSI when they buy it.
As for the popular active safety and intelligent driving, this top-of-the-line model comes standard with an integrated pre-safety system premium version, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, and offers optional power such as lane keeping and lateral assist. To tell the truth, it is not yet able to reach the level of intelligent driving assistance of today's new energy vehicles, but it is more than enough to cope with daily use, after all, the traffic conditions in big cities are difficult for you to use the vehicle's navigation assistance driving function with complete confidence, I believe that the next generation of Audi Q3 will have a qualitative leap in this regard.
Today's automobiles have a faint trend towards digital products, but the Audi Q3 still adheres to its original intention and wins recognition with its comprehensive and balanced product strength.
It's no exaggeration to say that even though the Audi Q3 isn't on your pre-order list, you'll definitely feel like you'll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with it and test drive it. As I said countless times at the beginning of this article, the art of balance is also a selling point, and it is also difficult to make a car with almost no shortcomings in this ** class. Audi Q3 has a family-oriented design, a sense of science and technology but a passionate cockpit, enough connected technology and intelligent driving, flexible and practical space performance, strong and smooth dynamic quality, and even provides light off-road ability, for the commuting as the main holiday outing of the prospective car owners have no regrets. Especially after hearing about the regulations on pure electric vehicles in Hainan Island during the 2024 Spring Festival, I think there will still be many people who will focus on pure fuel vehicles, and some of its traditional advantages are still not replaceable.
Text: Pei Lei, Li Xiao.