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By Jonathan Crouch

Audi's Q3 small crossover gets sharper looks in this sleeker Sportback form. Jonathan Crouch drives the second generation version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 59

Audi continues to offer a second, more stylised body shape in the compact SUV sector in the form of this Q3 Sportback model. This second generation design, like its predecessor, is aimed most precisely at BMW's similarly-sized X2. And, to suit that remit, there's mild hybrid electrification, trendy media connectivity and a cool Audi cabin. Just as you'd want.

Backgroundword count: 171

Generally when it comes to a compact Audi these days, the term 'Sportback' means whatever Ingolstadt wants it to mean. The A3 Sportback is a conventional boxy family hatch with premium packaging. But when it comes to the Q3 small SUV that model shares its engineering with, 'Sportback' designates a separate, sleeker more coupe-like body style that sells at a £1,500 premium over the equivalent standard SUV version, even though it offers slightly less rear head room and a chunk less boot space. Paying more and apparently getting less has always been part and parcel of coupe ownership. It certainly was for the original F3N-era Q3 Sportback model that launched in 2019 - a body style preferred by large proportion of owners of that F3B-generation Q3 model. This replacement second generation Q3 Sportback, which went on sale here in Autumn 2025 plays to the same audience, like its predecessor most directly targeting the only other car in the segment that directly replicates is approach, BMW's X2. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 476

As you'd expect, the Q3 Sportback drives exactly like the SUV model. Which means you shouldn't be fooled by the slinkier outfit into thinking that this is a particularly sporting SUV - though it's certainly trying to be in the firmly-sprung top 265PS quattro form we tried. But the kind of Q3 Sportback almost all customers will actually choose will usually be a very different confection, normally powered through the front wheels by a modest 150PS engine. That'll be either the brand's usual 1.5 TFSI mild hybrid petrol unit or, less likely, the company's equally familiar 2.0 TDI diesel. Both units make 62mph from rest in about 9s en route to about 130mph, which is about as fast as most Q3 customers will want to go. That's if you select the most urgent of the mainstream drive select drive modes - dynamic (the others are balanced, comfort and efficiency). If you want your Q3 to go faster and you're not bothered about being able to plug it in (more on that in a moment), then you'll have to have it with quattro 4WD and, therefore, a considerably plumper price tag. With the quattro options (which gain an extra 'off-road' drive mode), you choose between an uprated 193PS version of the 2.0 TDI diesel unit. Or the sweet-revving 2.0 TFSI petrol powerplant we tried, offered with either 204PS or 265PS. The former petrol powerplant makes 62mph in 7.1s en route to 142mph; while the 265PS variant manages the same benchmarks in just 5.7s and 149mph. All versions of this model use a 7-speed DSG auto transmission - except the derivative we haven't yet mentioned, the e-hybrid PHEV model (which has a 6-speed DSG auto 'box). Unlike with larger 2.0-litre-based Audi e-hybrid models, this 1.5-litre set-up still can't send drive to all four wheels, but it does at least now have a much larger 25.7kWh battery offering an EV range of up to 73 miles - a huge increase over the feeble 32 mile figure of the original Q3 Sportback TFSI e. As usual in a VW Group PHEV, you can save battery charge for later in your trip when you might need it. The Q3 Sportback e-hybrid's peak power is 272PS, with 400Nm of torque. Beyond the city limits, the light, accurate steering feels good and body roll's kept well in check, though you'll certainly feel the e-hybrid version's extra 150kg of kerb weight through the turns. But if you're looking for the kind of driver engagement and more feelsome steering that you'll get in this class with a BMW X2, well that's missing here. On the highway, refinement's excellent, but if you've a 1.5-litre petrol engine in your Q3 Sportback, overtaking will usually mean working the engine quite hard. As long as you don't do that, refinement's excellent, with wind noise and tyre roar well suppressed.

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