Audi Q3 Sportback Looks Like A BMW X2 Killer, But That May Not Matter

Audi’s already stylish Q3 gets an even prettier sibling
Audi has taken the covers off the sportier, more stylish version of the new Q3: The Q3 Sportback. Like its larger Sportback siblings, the Q3 Sportback turns up the style with its tapering roofline, much like BMW did when creating the latest X2.

In many other respects, the Q3 Sportback is the same as the new Q3 revealed earlier this year, which means it gets Audi’s latest interior, a new infotainment system, and the availability of a hybrid powertrain. Let’s take a closer look.

Compared with the Q3, the Q3 Sportback’s roofline has been lowered by 1.1 inches. It also sits on bigger standard wheels (18 inches to the Q3’s 17 inches), further accentuating its sporty appeal. Undoubtedly, the Sportback is the more emotional product from a design standpoint, but the two crossovers share many of the same details.

The front daytime running lights and taillights are exceedingly slim, and as on the Q3, the former sit above a gaping grille. The Sportback gets the same full-width lightbar at the back, but that rests below a more acutely slanted rear window.

There is the expected loss of some space in the Sportback, but based on the numbers, it seems minimal. With the rear seats folded, the normal Q3 has 48.9 cubic feet of space, and that drops to 45.5 cubic feet in the Q3 Sportback. Neither vehicle has a large trunk with the back seats up; Audi doesn’t state the Sportback’s figure, but the normal Q3 has just 17.2 cubes.

In Europe, the Q3 Sportback will start with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mild hybrid setup developing just 148 horsepower; we don’t expect this engine to make it into America’s Q3. A 2.0-liter model makes 201 hp, and there’s also a 261-hp version of this engine. 

For the plug-in hybrid version, the 1.5-liter engine and an electric motor combine for 268 hp, enabling a WLTP all-electric range of around 73 miles. All models get front-wheel drive, although the more powerful 2.0-liter engines have all-wheel drive.

Audi estimates a best 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds for the 261-hp version. There’s also an efficient diesel available, but this engine won’t make it to the United States.

High-Tech Interior, But Pricing And Availability Are Uncertain

Inside, the Q3 Sportback shares the panoramic display (combining an 11.9-inch gauge cluster with a 12.8-inch touch display) with the non-Sportback model. There’s a new steering wheel design, two new stalks on the steering column, a cooled charging tray, and attractive illumination.

An optional Sonos premium sound system will be available, boasting as many as 12 speakers and preconfigured sound profiles. The infotainment setup is based on Android Automotive’s OS, and apps like YouTube are directly integrated.

In Germany, the Q3 Sportback starts from €46,450 (around $54,300), which is almost €2,000 more than the normal Q3 starts there. Pricing in the U.S. is expected to be lower than this, given that the BMW X2 starts at $44,300.

Overall, the Audi Q3 Sportback looks like the perfect answer to BMW’s X2, but Audi has not said whether the Sportback will make it to the USA. That would leave BMW without a direct rival from Audi or Mercedes-Benz in this segment, as Mercedes has no coupe-style version of the GLA.