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Road test review: Audi RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback

Monday, 24 August 2020

This is the RS Q3 in its natural habitat.
They might look the same but the Sportback has a sportier back than the standard RS Q3. Sorry.
They might look the same but the Sportback has a sportier back than the standard RS Q3. Sorry.
Regardless of your thoughts on that colour, both versions of the RS Q3 get the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder and both are very good.
Regardless of your thoughts on that colour, both versions of the RS Q3 get the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder and both are very good.

Audi is going over its line-up with a fine-toothed comb and updating its offerings for the new decade. We’ve seen what the new RS 6 and RS 7 are like; now it’s time to sample the spicy little RS Q3 in standard and Sportback forms.

The Sportback might be sleeker and more aggressive, but it has the same amount of boot space with the seats up.
The Sportback might be sleeker and more aggressive, but it has the same amount of boot space with the seats up.

Aren’t these the same car, aside from that rather lurid shade of green?

Not entirely but you’re forgiven for thinking so. The Sportback gets a sharper rake from the C-pillar to the boot, giving it a racier profile at the cost of rear headroom. It’s not a small amount either, the Sportback sacrificing 48mm in the name of aesthetics.

The interior is well-finished but there are some indications this further down the RS hierarchy, like the older-style gear shifter and the analogue air-con controls.
The interior is well-finished but there are some indications this further down the RS hierarchy, like the older-style gear shifter and the analogue air-con controls.

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The Sportback is clearly the more aggressively styled of the siblings. Even discounting the bright green paint.
The Sportback is clearly the more aggressively styled of the siblings. Even discounting the bright green paint.

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The standard RS Q3 is more conventionally styled and considerably more conservatively coloured.
The standard RS Q3 is more conventionally styled and considerably more conservatively coloured.

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**

The Sportback will have its fans, but we’d take the normal RS Q3. Thankfully, both are equally fantastic on the road.
The Sportback will have its fans, but we’d take the normal RS Q3. Thankfully, both are equally fantastic on the road.

If you’re north of six-feet, be quick to call shotgun. The flatter boot also impacts rearward visibility but the usual RS-spec bevy of sensors and cameras helps there.

Aside from the back third of the car, wheel design and the inclusion of roof rails on the non-Sportback model, the two models are the same, down to the angry styling, LED lights fore and aft and epic 2.5-litre turbo-five engine.

Even the boot space is the same, despite the Sportback's sloping roof. Although, that’s measured to the window line, with the rear seats up – flatten those and stack it to the roof and the Sportback loses 125L on the standard RS Q3 (1525L vs 1400L).

Never mind luggage space, what about that engine?

This is the RS Q3’s party piece. The inline-five configuration harks back to Audi’s barnstorming Group B days in the World Rally Championship and while it isn’t making the same huge power figures (before the off-road racer was canned, the highly tuned 2.1-litre turbo-five made as much as 515kW), it’s a worthy successor.

In RS Q3 trim there is 298kW/480Nm at your right foot, enough to sling both versions to 100kmh in a claimed 4.5 seconds. As is the norm for an Audi RS vehicle, quattro all-wheel drive is standard fare, with up to 85 per cent of power being sent rearward.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sits in the middle and, while it isn’t horrid, it can be indecisive on less than half throttle in D mode and it isn’t the fastest out there. The 8-speed conventional auto in the larger RS cars is a far better thing. Still, stick it in S and mash the pedal for best results.

It sounds amazing so chances are you’ll be doing that a lot anyway. Being an RS, the Q3 twins have the special RS button on the wheel, which selects one of two drive user-programmed drive modes.

I spent most of my time in RS1 which I set up for the most comfortable ride, smooth gearshifts and maximum noise thanks to the standard sports exhaust. Proceed to stab the throttle to make the pops at any time.

Sounds like quite the weapon. Is it a typical fast Audi when pushed?

By that do you mean “so good it’s a bit boring?” Aside from that being a bit like saying “my wallet won’t close because I have too much money”, no. This might be a performance SUV, which is already bound to turn a few noses, but the rear-biased quattro system and turbocharged engine makes this a fair bit of fun outside the city.

See, the turbo actually has a bit of lag, which means the acceleration curve isn’t flat, it’s exponential. That translates to about half a second of anticipation before the turbo comes fully on song and elicits a happy “oof” from the driver as they get pushed into the seat.

The five is a revvy little thing too, pulling well up to 7000rpm. Audi says maximum power is reached and held from 5850rpm, which gives you a wide range to test out those metal paddle things hiding behind the steering wheel. Or you can leave the transmission to do its thing and focus on not losing your licence.

I had set RS2 mode with everything at its pointiest and boy, this SUV gets pointy. Despite being a 1790kg (1775kg in Sportback form) all-wheel drive SUV, the RS Q3 exhibited little understeer until approaching the point of stupidity. The steering is responsive and the brakes hold up well in an emergency stop. If you do decide you want to take your family wagon to the track, Audi offers ceramic brake options.

But if you have no interest in fast driving and just want the RS badge, the snarliest Q3 will sit well. It’s not awfully expensive, despite being on the wrong side of $100k, doesn’t inhale fuel and is comfy enough.

So which is the one to get?

Easy – the grey standard RS Q3. It has better rear visibility, more headroom for rear occupants, more luggage and, in my opinion, looks better. Particularly when compared to that green. It also saves you $3k, which can be spent on extras or 98 RON petrol.

The Sportback will have its fans and, thankfully, Audi hasn’t fettled with the powertrain at all, meaning it’s mainly a subjective, looks-based decision.

Any other cars I should consider?

If you’re in the market for a roughly $100k performance SUV, the options are interesting. Domestic rivals to the RS Q3 twins include the new Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and GLA 45 S ($99,900/$126,400 respectively), while the smallest SUV from BMW’s M division is the $91,600 X2 M35i.

A different selection could include the X3/X4 M40i duo, which represent BMW’s SUV/SUV-coupe pair. They retail for $132,300 and $138,300 but are larger than the RS Q3.