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By Jonathan Crouch

SUVs don't need to be big to be desirable. Audi aims to prove the point with this MK2 model Q3. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 80

Audi continues to target the ever-growing market for premium-badged mid-sized five-seat SUVs with this second generation version of its stylish little Q3. In both Sportback and this standard SUV form, this car's now cleverer, smarter and more efficient, all of these being attributes it'll need if it's to make headway in this increasingly crowded segment. When it comes to this kind of car, there are certainly cheaper options. The question though, is whether there are really any more desirable ones.

Backgroundword count: 147

Sales of five-seat Qashqai-class Crossovers have certainly taken off in recent years. Nor is it only the mainstream brands that are offering us cars of this kind - family hatches with raised ride heights and a dose of SUV-style attitude. The premium makers are at it too, with cars like this one, Audi's desirable second generation Q3. This model has been a useful seller for the Ingolstadt maker since the MK1 model's original launch in 2011, but these days, it's facing tougher competition. Its closest rival, BMW's X1, has upped its game, Mercedes also does well in this profitable market niche with its GLA model and the more recent Jaguar E-PACE and Volvo XC40 models have already found a ready band of buyers. For all these reasons, this Audi needed to evolve - as it has in the MK2 model guise we're going to look at here.

Driving Experienceword count: 271

There are six engine options - four petrol TFSI units and two TDI diesels - with power outputs ranging from 150PS to 400PS. All the mainstream engines are four-cylinder direct injection units with turbocharging. Things kick off with the '35 TFSI' front-driven derivative, which offers a 150PS 1.5-litre engine that uses the cylinder on demand efficiency system, which temporarily switches off two cylinders at low load. Buyers choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed S tronic automatic. Next up is the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit of the '45 TFSI quattro', offered with 245PS. Here, you get S tronic auto transmission and quattro 4WD as standard. Also offering 245PS is the Plug-in Hybrid 45 TFSIe variant, which mates a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor and can offer an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles. At the top of the range is the wild RS Q3, which uses a 400PS 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine. For folks still wanting a diesel, there's the '35 TDI', which gets you the usual 2.0-litre TDI powerplant with 150PS. Here, the choice is between a front-driven manual variant, an auto or a quattro auto. There's also a 2.0-litre 200PS '40TDI quattro' model, only offered with the S tronic auto and four-wheel drive. Adaptive damping is optional and you can adjust it via the settings of the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. Also standard is progressive steering, the ratio of which becomes gradually more direct as the steering angle increases. Hill descent control is also optional, to help you down slippery slopes, should you ever use your Q3 'off piste'.

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