Audi Q3 Sportback

The Germans invented the coupe utility trend starting with the BMW X6. Then, Mercedes-Benz followed it with the GLE Coupe, and recently, Porsche with the Cayenne Coupe. Now, Audi is late for the party with their first-ever coupe utility vehicle based on the second-generation Q3. So, what's it all about the Q3 Sportback?

2020 Audi Q3 Sportback

Priced two grand more than the normal Q3 SUV, the first-ever Q3 Sportback is a coupe utility vehicle that offers the same stuff that you get from the normal Q3 but now with the sloping roof line too difficult to explain.

The world gets used to this coupe utility niche the Germans invented and with better late than never for Audi, the Q3 Sportback tries to be more noticeable with its unique styling that can upset a BMW X4 for a change but sadly, being an Audi, it feels like being the only teenager invited to a children's party.

Although less roomier than the standard Q3 with the seats folded, it's still as spacious as the normal one with the rear seats present, meaning there's enough room for your grocery stuff and others. Not bad.

Under the hood, the Q3 Sportback is powered by a choice of a 2.0L TFSi and the 2.0L TDi engine, both mated to a 7-speed S-tronic double clutch gearbox in most models and a mild hybrid system for electrification purposes. The latter is something to avoid because Europeans today are not friendly to the whole diesel thing despite its Euro-6d compliance. Anyway, the range-topping 45 TFSi produces 230PS of power and 350Nm of torque, making it capable of going 0-100kph in  6.5 seconds and a top speed of 233kph. Not bad.

In terms of dynamics, it still behaves pretty much like a normal Q3 despite being in the niche nobody knows. Not as enjoyable to drive like a BMW or a Mercedes as such but it feels not bad to drive even with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that goes pretty well with tarmac, gravel, and snow. Although not fit for cross country abuse, it sure is not afraid to get itself dirty when Audi's quattro system is around.

It also bears the same wide array of safety tech as the normal Q3 but it's too much to ask for now.

With Audi late to the coupe utility niche afterparty, the Q3 Sportback raises a lot of questions from people who are fed up with this niche and no matter how fed up the average speedo boy be upon seeing more and more like these, rest assured that its the Germans to blame for making the coupe utility vehicle trend and there's nothing they can do to stop them. It's real life. Get with the times.

Photo: Audi AG