Site icon Gay Car Boys

2020 Audi Q3 35 TFSI Sportback

gaycarboys - Alan Zurvas

Q3 Sportback launch sees the arrival of the first Q3 40 TFSI quattro models.

2020 Audi Q3 35 TFSI Sportback

Audi is a master of the dark arts.

No matter which model, the drive reveals an alchemy that is more than the sum of the parts. Our Audi Q3 40 TFSI and RS Q3 filled us with joy. Follow the links for each story and video.

Why then do we drive the Sportback? Because it is there.

The muscular exterior is almost identical to her hatched sisters. Sportback is a hatch too, but the rear window is laid over to create a coupe-style SUV.

More Audi at GayCarBoys

I’d normally poo-poo this coupe nonsense, but Q3 carries it off with Chanel-like aplomb. In fact, had Coco still been around today, she may even have been seen darting about the narrow, cobbled streets of inner Paris in a Q3 Sportback. It has style and class, and eschews the frantic insistence of some makers to slice and dice every surface, just for the sake of it.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2020 Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI and RS Q3 Sportback

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel 

ABOVE: Audi Q3, RS Q3, Q3 Sportback, RS Q3 Sportback

How about the looks?

Q3 Sportback keeps a restrained and tasteful hand both inside and out.

There is none of the tatty embellishments on brands who have been designed to within an inch of their lives. Q3 Sportback is smooth, with rounded corners and subtle muscular haunches.

The roof slopes gracefully towards the rear end, and here is where it differs from the Q3 sibling. The profile shows a coupe-like profile that is far more successful than other brands who shall remain nameless. She still looks like she has developed a slight paunch, but here, it seems to add to the butch theme.

I love it, I love it a lot.

Is there AWD?

Q3 Sportback comes in QUATTRO AWD versions, but the 35 TFSI misses out on 4-paw drive. Despite the fact that Q3 Sportback is an SUV, it won’t be called upon to traverse more than a muddy drive. Even if you do have a country pile down Bowral way, you won’t be dumping a load in the back to cart across a field. Q3 Sportback is too precious and delicate.

Any hint of muddy hoofs inside would elicit a Ted Bullpit response. “The Audi, you’re not taking the Audi. I’ve just steam cleaned the glove box.”

Front wheel drive scrambles as it tries to make sense of greasy roads. Let it. Audi sorts all that nonsense out with clever nannies watching your every foible. As the bucking starts at the front, the dash lights up with a bunch of friendly warnings. In a thrice, the drama has passed.

Is the cabin cosy?

This is an entry level Audi, so don’t expect the Reform Club. Think, trendy city eatery. Everything is tailored with a place for everything, but not so much that you need a tux on, just to enter.

Front seats are powered, with heating for cold evenings.

Dual climate settings can be synced with only one aboard. Sound and car functions are controlled through the touch-screen MMI system, and the drivers scores a digital dash. You choose how and where you want data displayed. There is no HUD though. What a bummer.

Rear seats split 40/20/40 for those of a skiiing bent. Ride is good, even on 19” wheels. It is firm but fair.

Gadgets Galore?

You betcha.

Apple CarPlay is not only handsfree, but completely wireless.

Safety galore with airbags and AEB, but active lane control and smart cruise control really take the hard work out of road trips.

The blind spot monitor stops you from changing lanes, and other sensors help you park. If you can’t be bothered, the Q3 Sportback will park by itself. You just have to take care of the brakes and gears.

How nippy is Q3 Sportback?

It may only be a 1.4 4-pot, but a spot of force air induction will turbo your fun into a frenzy. The automatic only has 6 speeds, which feels a trifle miserly, but it still does the job, and does it well. You get a decent 110kw/250Nm, and smooth effortless acceleration.

Handling, how’s the handling?

Steering is fabulously precise, yet easy and comfortable. You change directions like a cat on carpet, and no amount of provocation seems to unsettle Q3 Sportback.

Paddles would be nice. Throwing the little hatch into tight corners often gets the automatic into the wrong gear. Savvy drivers who fancy themselves as an Andretti, can shift-em-yaself by pulling the gear lever over, then moving forward and back. Gear positions are shown in the driver’s data.

2020 Audi Q3 35 TFSI Sportback

Price: $56,490

Engine: 1.4 Turbo 4cyl

Power: 110kw/250Nm

Trans: 6 sp S-tronic

0-100: 9.3 sec

Econ: 7.3L/100k

Colour: Tango Red

Interior: Black on Black

Tags:

Gay audi, audi Q3 35 tfsi Sportback, audi road trip, audi suv, q3 suv, 2020 audi q3 sportback

Exit mobile version