Special report: RALPH MORTON
The Audi Q3 – Audi’s most compact SUV – got a boost in company car appeal recently.
A four-wheel drive quattro version with the 140PS TDI engine joins the range, with a company car tax banding of 23%.
Given the level of rain throughout the summer, four-wheel drive might be handy come autumn and winter.
There’s a good range for the company car driver, too. From the two-wheel drive Q3 (21% company car tax) through to the new quattro TDI 140 PS model (23% company car tax) to the 177PS S tronic auto quattro model at 25% company car tax.
“We think the Q3 appeals to a broad range of drivers. Some of these might be in the Audi brand already who are coming towards the end of the business car lease term in their A4 Avant model, for example, and want something more elevated, to hatchback drivers and those in larger SUVs,” explains Rob Morris, product manager, Audi Q3 range.
“For certain buyers, the Q3 will appeal because it’s more compact than the Range Rover Evoque, yet there’s plenty of interior space.”
Rob says that so far in terms of sales the most popular model has been the Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 177PS SE S tronic quattro – the model we have reviewed – closely followed by the two-wheel drive Q3 2.0 TDI 140PS SE model.
“The Q3 ticks all the boxes for company car drivers and business car managers. There are low running costs, low CO2 emissions – if you want a small SUV we’re very strong on all those counts,” continues Rob.
-
Most company car drivers will head for the diesel, but for smiles-per-mile, try the 2 litre TFSI petrol engine
But clearly it has plenty of appeal for small business owners who want to run their business car privately. Top of the range is the Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro S line model with auto S tronic gearbox and 211PS power. At £31,870 it’s not cheap, but with the Range Rover Evoque range starting at £28,695 for the two-wheel drive variant, a top range Q3 looks a classy high value alternative.
We drove both the 177PS diesel at launch and the petrol Q3. And while most company car drivers will head for the diesel, the 2.0 TFSI petrol Q3 was a better drive, the lighter engine and instant throttle performance giving it plenty of the smiles-per-mile quotient.
The model can achieve over 36mpg fuel economy (the same diesel model will do nearly 48mpg by way of comparison), so business owners can enjoy the performance without being stung at the fuel pumps.
Rob says that much of the efficiency gains made by the Audi Q3 have been made with lightweight build techniques – the bonnet and many of the panels are made from aluminium, for example – while there’s stop-start fuel saving technology as you might expect.
-
For a company car video of the Audi Q3, check out the film below
But Rob explains there are hidden efficiency gains that aren’t reflected in the CO2 or economy figures.
“We have a coasting feature that you can specify as a £220 option on Audi Q3 models fitted with S tronic auto transmission. When your foot isn’t on the throttle you can effectively free-wheel when you choose the Efficiency setting on the Audi Drive Select option – these efficiency gains aren’t reflected in the homologation figures as it’s an option.”
Audi Drive Select is a method of varying car settings, depending on driver taste, from automatic through to Sport and Comfort. But the Efficiency option is the mode for long-distance business travel, minimising fuel consumption to the best possible effect.
One of the aspects of the Q3 that really impressed me was the amount of interior space. Although the car looks compact, and is remarkably easy to park in a tight squeeze, it’s very spacious inside. Having said that, the boot is more limited than an A4 Avant, so it’s best to make a direct business car comparison if you are thinking of swapping your A4 Avant company car for an Audi Q3.
But if you want a small SUV, then as Rob says, the Audi Q3 is a highly competitive proposition, whether in two-wheel drive or quattro versions, or whether diesel or petrol power trains.