2018 Audi Q3 Pros vs Cons

Those familiar with Audi know that this is a brand centered upon luxury. Those who are shopping on a restricted budget might be drawn to the price tags that get slapped onto subcompact luxury vehicles like the 2018 Audi Q3. There are certainly a number of attractive features on the brand-new Q3, but if handling, steering, and acceleration are determining factors in your decision to buy, you will likely end up passing on the Q3.

What's New for 2018?

Say goodbye to the Prestige trim, as it has been axed from the 2018 Audi Q3 lineup. However, you can find some of its features as stand-alone options or bundled into various optional packages. The base Premium trim received a redesigned front bumper and heated front seats. The Sport package is now available on the Premium Plus trim, and the Convenience package has been given an automatically-dimming rearview mirror and a power liftgate.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Audi Q3 – The Pros

1. Numerous (and Affordable) Features

There are plenty of optional stand-alone features and packages that can be slapped onto the 2018 Audi Q3, and most of them come at an affordable price. Standard features on the base Premium trim include a rearview camera, a 10-speaker sound system, heated front seats, an SD card slot, and satellite radio. The Premium has to be ordered with the Convenience package, but the Sport and Audi MMI Navigation packages can also be added onto the Premium and the Premium Plus.

2. A Quiet Cabin

The Audi Q3 feels well-insulated from road and wind noise, making the cabin pretty quiet. Even when you are cruising along at highway speeds, you won't have to crank up your music just to hear it. Also, you can take the vehicle up to full throttle and not hear much engine noise.

3. High-Quality Interior Materials

Audi doesn't skimp on materials. The cabin has a refined feel with its high-quality materials. Everything seems well-laid-out, and the upholstery and paneling seem sturdy enough to stand the test of time. The door closings are also quite excellent. Overall, the cabin looks more expensive than it actually is.

4. Ride Comfort

While the larger 19-inch wheels might cause a slight bit of a fuss, the standard 18-inch tires have no problem rolling over bumps and grooves in the road. Once you get the 2018 Audi Q3 out on the highway, you will appreciate how smooth of a ride the well-tuned suspension gives the vehicle.

5. The Convenience Package

The Convenience package is a must-have on the Q3. It can be added to the base Premium trim and comes on the Premium Plus. This package includes keyless entry, keyless ignition, an auto-dimming mirror, aluminum trim in the cabin, and a power liftgate.

6. Moderate Off-Roading Abilities

While the 2018 Audi Q3 isn't the strongest off-roader in its class, it can certainly manage a moderate amount of off-roading. Dirt roads are not a problem, especially with the Q3's softly-tuned suspension and high enough ground clearance. Of course, you will have to get the Premium Plus or higher with all-wheel drive, hill-descent control, and all-season tires equipped to make it a great soft-roader.

7. Comfy Seats

The Q3 has some extremely well-bolstered seats. The front seats are eight-way power adjustable, 4-way power adjustable, and are heated. The padding in the rear seats is also quite decent, even though the rear seats cannot recline.

8. Excellent Climate Control

The Q3's dual-zone automatic climate control, which comes standard on the lineup, does a fantastic job of circulating air throughout the cabin. Rear seat passengers don't get their own control knobs, but the rear seat vents pump just the right amount of air into the back seat.

9. User-Friendly Controls

Controls on the 2018 Audi Q3 are all user-friendly. Everything seems intuitively placed, and all knobs and controls are clearly labeled. Climate control is extremely easy to figure out, and everything is placed within the driver's reach.

10. Easy Entry/Exit

Getting into and out of the Q3's front seats is simple. The massive doors swing out wide, creating plenty of space. Also, keyless entry and ignition make it easy to start and enter the vehicle, which is especially nice to have during harsh winter months when you don't want to brave the cold just to start your engine.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Audi Q3 – The Cons

1. No USB Interface

Oddly enough, there is no actual USB interface. While there is a USB charging port, you cannot connect and use devices via a USB port. This seems like a massive oversight by Audi since almost every other new vehicle on the market has a USB interface.

2. Subpar Handling

One of the biggest issues with the 2018 Audi Q3 is that its handling is less-than-comforting. If you want something that gives a sporty vibe, you might need to spend more money on adding the optional Sport package. If you don't you will notice that the Q3 is not very responsive and lacks serious road grip.

3. Sluggish Acceleration

The Q3 feels heavy as you try to accelerate, as the standard 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine's 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque just aren't enough to get the vehicle up-to-speed. The Q3's 0-to-60 time is a lazy 8 seconds, putting it well behind most of its competitors.

4. A Cramped Rear Seat

While the seats are comfy, space in the rear is limited. Taller passengers will feel cramped in the back. Most other subcompacts have elevated roofs that give enough headspace in the rear.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Audi Q3 vs. 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class bests the Q3 in terms of its sporty handling, infotainment system (which includes a nice 8-inch touchscreen display), and ultra-chic exterior. However, like the Q3, the back seats are extremely cramped. Also, the base transmission delivers a less-than-thrilling performance.

2018 Audi Q3 vs. 2018 BMW X1

The 2018 BMW X1 has an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission that gets the vehicle up-and-moving. The X1 also has a spunky 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. On the downside, the front seats aren't terribly comfortable, and the options get to be pretty expensive.

Conclusion

The 2018 Audi Q3 has issues, especially with handling and acceleration. With a few tweaks, Audi could make this a fantastic subcompact vehicle for the price, which is the main attraction point. However, the issues it has tend to overshadow the fact that the Q3 has some good things that it offers, such as a quiet and well-designed interior.

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