Audi Q3 Sportback 2020 shown: New stylish small SUV due next year

Audi’s new Q3 Sportback will bring the brand’s SUV range to six models when it enters Australian showrooms in the first half of next year, slotting between the Q3 small SUV and Q5 mid-sizer.

Based on the same MQB platform that underpins the Q3 – as well as other Volkswagen Group cars such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia – the Q3 Sportback measures 4500mm long, 1840mm wide and 1560mm high.

Compared to its Q3 sibling, Audi’s latest SUV is 16mm longer and 25mm lower, but also 16mm narrower. Both Audi small SUVs ride on the same 2680mm wheelbase.

Aside from the sloping roofline, the Q3 Sportback is fitted with a black ‘Singleframe’ front grille, air intakes and splitter to differentiate itself from its more conventionally styled sibling.

At the rear, the Q3 Sportback also sports a more prominent rear diffuser, while the black wheelarch cladding denotes its off-roading ambitions and quattro all-wheel-drive system available on some variants. 

Audi’s latest SUV is longer, lower and narrower.

Despite the different roofline, the Q3 Sportback matches the Q3 for boot volume with the rear seats in place at 530 litres. However, the former will only manage a 1400L load with the second row stowed compared to the latter’s 1525L figure.

Audi is also touting a high level of rear-seat adjustment with 130mm of longitudinal movement, three individual backrests with seven-stage inclination for second-row passenger.

Up front, passengers are treated to sports seats with heating as an option, while the cabin can also be specced up with contrast stitching, coloured stripes, Alcantara touches and ambient mood lighting.

As standard, an all-digital 10.25-inch instrument screen is fitted, but buyers can option up to a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display with extra functionality such as navigation instructions.

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Multimedia is handled by a 10.1-inch central touchscreen that is tilted 10 degrees towards the driver and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as voice commands.

In the European market, the Q3 Sportback is available with either a 169kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in 45 TFSI quattro S tronic form, or a 110kW 2.0-litre diesel 35 TDI S tronic.

However, Audi is promising that “additional engines will follow in the course of the year, including a more powerful diesel and an entry-level petrol engine, which works together with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system”.

Expect to see performance-orientated S and RS-badged variants down the line.

Also expect to see performance-orientated S and RS-badged variants down the line.

Standard safety in the Q3 Sportback includes lane departure warning, a reversing camera, blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking, while adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor and rear-cross traffic alert are available as options.

Is a coupe-like SUV appealing to you? Tell us what you think in the comments below.