Audi Q3 Sportback Review 2024

Audi Q3 Sportback At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Its coupe-like design compromises practicality, but the Audi Q3 Sportback still offers ample quality and comfort for those seeking a more stylish SUV.

+Looks different to a regular SUV. Still a very usable family car.

-Sloping roof compromises rear headroom and boot space. More expensive than a standard Q3.

New prices start from £35,615, brokers can source from £32,059
Insurance Groups are between 25–38
On average it achieves 77% of the official MPG figure

BMW was laughed at when it put a coupe-like body on the BMW X5 to make the BMW X6. However, it’s the marketing men from Munich who are laughing now, because everyone else has followed suit – even in their smaller SUV models. The Audi Q3 Sportback is just such a thing, with a tapered roofline, sloping rear end and looks that appeal to the cool kids. There’s an extensive range of petrol and diesel engines, plus it’s also available as a plug-in hybrid.

Once the SUV craze took off, it was inevitable that car companies would begin looking at different body styles to suit a range of buyers. Convertible SUVs such as the Range Rover Evoque are definitely a niche proposition, but coupe-like designs are now all the rage. We still aren’t completely convinced, though. After all, an SUV is supposed to be all about practicality, so why would you want one that compromises this?

In the case of the Audi Q3 Sportback, the German premium brand has essentially taken its Audi Q3 and completely changed the back end, with a tapered roofline, sloping tailgate and more sporty looks. It does mean a few compromises in terms of the interior and boot space, but the trade-off is an SUV that looks more urban and dynamic.

It’s not just the coupe looks that are different either; the Audi Q3 Sportback is also lower and slightly longer than the regular Q3. It takes on the BMW X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA and electric models such as the Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV and Volvo C40 Recharge.

There’s no pure electric version of the Audi, though. If you want to electrify, you have the option of the Q3 Sportback TFSI-e plug-in hybrid, with its claimed 28 miles of electric-only driving range.

The rest of the range is extensive, including petrol and diesel models, front-wheel drive, quattro all-wheel drive and Sport, S-Line or Black Edition trim levels. At the top of the tree sits the 400PS RS Q3 Sportback.

It might be based on the regular Q3, but the Audi Q3 Sportback’s coupe-like profile and more dynamic looks command a price premium over its more practical sibling.

What does a Audi Q3 Sportback cost?

Buy new from £32,059(list price from £34,465)