Audi continues the trend of "coupe" SUVs that began with the BMW X6 18 years ago. The new Q3 Sportback lowers the roofline for a more dynamic look, but sacrifices space and practicality. With the same engines as the standard Q3, including a hybrid, it remains in the fight with the BMW X2, while we wonder if the styling is really worth the compromise.
Imagine you're at a car fashion week where SUVs are dressing up in coupe-like outfits. Many thought the trend – which began with the original BMW X6 in 2007 – would quickly fade away like a bad haircut. But no, 18 years later it's still thriving. Audi, that German master of elegance, insists there's room for the "coupe-SUV", with models like the electric Q4 Sportback E-Tron, the petrol-powered Q5 Sportback and the big Q8. Now it's the turn of a smaller new Audi Q3 Sportback, which turns the compact crossover from Ingolstadt into a pseudo-coupe. Is this a stroke of genius or just another styling trick that sacrifices practicality?
Design: Style above all else
Audi Q3 Sportback It’s not a true coupe – it still has too many doors and an SUV stance – but Audi sells it as a “coupe aesthetic”. The roof is lowered by 2.9 centimetres compared to the standard Q3, giving it a more dynamic, “swoopy” look. It’s like your average SUV going on a diet and putting on a sports jacket. Unfortunately, this styling tweak comes at the expense of practicality: maximum boot capacity drops to 1,289 litres with the rear seats folded, 96 litres less than in the regular Q3. The smaller window areas also reduce outward visibility – ideal for those who prefer to look at screens rather than the road.
Despite the compromises and higher price, these “coupé-style” SUVs remain popular. Audi is investing minimally: apart from the modified bodywork, the Sportback is almost identical to the standard Q3. And if you ask why? Because the market wants it. As if to say: “Why have a spacious car when you can have a stylish one?” The irony is that in an age when everyone is talking about durability, style still triumphs over functionality.
Interior and technology: Modern, with flaws
It's inside Audi Q3 Sportback a copy of the standard model that debuted a few months ago. The cabin is quieter thanks to optional acoustic glass on the front windows, a first in a compact Audi. This allows you to enjoy the optional 12-speaker Sonos system with 420 watts of power, without being disturbed by outside noise.
It's tech-savvy with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment system. Climate controls have been moved to a touchscreen, meaning fewer physical buttons – a trend loved by designers but hated by drivers who don't want to take their eyes off the road. Other "nuisances" include glossy black trim, capacitive touch buttons and tablet-like displays that protrude from the dashboard. Audi even admitted that the interior quality is not what it was in the past, but promises improvements in future models. As if to say: "Sorry, but we'll fix it - later." Technical innovations such as split Matrix LED headlights with micro-LEDs add a futuristic touch, but for now only in Europe.
Engines and performance: Variety for every taste
Audi Q3 Sportback takes over the engines from the standard Q3: 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter TFSI petrol, 2.0-liter TDI diesel and a plug-in hybrid based on the smaller petrol. Only the more powerful 2.0 TFSI version has Quattro all-wheel drive; the others are front-wheel drive only. We expect the line to be expanded with more powerful S and RS versions, which will have Quattro as standard. The hybrid delivers around 268 horsepower and a 20-kWh battery for around 100 kilometers of electric range – ideal for emission-free city driving.
In the U.S., specs might stay at 228 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic, but without a hybrid. It's like Europe getting the full menu and America just the main course.
Price and Availability: Luxury doesn't come cheap
In Germany, the base Audi Q3 Sportback costs €46,450, which is €1,850 more than the equivalent Q3. Will it come to the US? There's no predecessor, so the question remains. Audi is targeting buyers who value style over practicality, competing with the BMW X2. If you're one of them, this is the car for you—otherwise, get the standard Q3 and save up for something more useful.
Conclusion: The new Audi Q3 Sportback
New ones Audi The Q3 Sportback is proof that the trendy SUV is not going away, despite criticisms about its practicality. With a mix of style, technology and performance, it remains attractive to those who want to stand out. But the question remains: is it worth sacrificing space for a “coupe” look? In a world where technology meets fashion, Audi says yes. And we smile at the irony – because sometimes style really is everything.
