2021 Audi RS Q3 Sportback: A polarizing performance
As Audi's era of internal combustion engines draws to a close, the company's 2.5-liter turbocharged engine should be appreciated, which is exactly what we did recently when riding in the RS Q3 Sportback.
With many luxury automakers having a competitor in the subcompact performance SUV sector, the performance SUV continues to gain prominence as a vehicle class. Despite the fact that these goods are based on high-riding, hefty SUVs and have sporty suspension setups, powerful engines, sizable brakes, and totally road-biased setups, they seem to have found a market.
With numerous new and improved Audi models unveiled throughout the year, the attack on the RS model has continued into 2021.
Styling
There is no denying that our press unit, finished in the eye-catching Kyalami Green metallic paintwork, looks absolutely menacing, somewhat resembling a miniature version of Lamborghini's Urus. It also features 21-inch alloy wheels, the black styling package, and various other gloss black styling accents. Even while the Sportback is less functional than the normal RS Q3, it makes a statement visually thanks to its roofline, which is about 45mm lower.
Interior
Like the majority of the Audi lineup, the RS Q3's interior is a stunning space with lovely ergonomics, high-quality materials, and subtle touches like sports seats with honeycomb stitching and a Bang & Olufsen sound system that give you the sensation that you are in a high-end vehicle. One of the more user-friendly and high-resolution infotainment systems available is the MMI system, which also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As part of the drive choose functionality, there is also the brand's virtual cockpit and a slew of features like lane departure warning, 360-degree cameras, 3-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and the brand's adaptive chassis control.
The RS Q3 Sportback provides 530 liters of cargo space, which can be increased to 1 400 liters by folding down the back seats. Although the rear seat room is respectable, a normal RS Q3 is a better option for customers who transport larger people due to the rear roofline's slant.
Performance
A powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine with 294kW and 480Nm of torque propels the RS Q3, and it is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that distributes power to all four wheels. Audi had to install an OTP filter on its models, which dampened the beautiful sound the engine made, but the car still sounds fantastic despite this.
The car does, however, have quite an amount of turbo lag, probably as a result of its relatively large turbocharger, which feels like it truly starts to sing after 4000 r/min.
The car feels just as swift as Audi's claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 280 km/h. However, you do get the impression that the gearbox is somewhat restraining itself during launch control conditions, and there is unquestionably a sense that it is being restrained by the aforementioned filter.
The car lacks any discernible feel, which is a trait it shares with many performance SUVs and is probably the result of trying to make something with a high center of gravity handle with some semblance of sportiness. The ride is firm, and while the handling is sure-footed and seemingly unflappable, the car is devoid of any discernable feel.
Safety
The bigger Q3 model line, which includes the RS Q3, was crash-tested by the Euro NCAP evaluation program in 2018, earning a maximum 5-Star rating. The rating includes 95% for the safety of adult occupants, 86% for the safety of kid occupants, 76% for the safety of pedestrians, and 85% for the systems that provide safety assistance.
Fuel efficiency
Audi states that the RS Q3 uses 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, but during our time with the vehicle, we actually used 12.3 liters per 100 kilometers, which is probably because we got a little too enamored with the five-cylinder engine's booming sound.
Verdict
When considered as a quick, little SUV with a sloping roofline, the RS Q3 performs almost all of the functions you may anticipate of a product in this market. It is admirable how Audi has been able to add such enjoyment to something that may otherwise be uninteresting and ultimately suffer from ever-tougher emissions rules.
The automobile is also quite reasonably priced and has enough standard equipment that any more options can be viewed as completely needless. As simple as it may be to write off the RS Q3 as useless, it yet manages to be very appealing, boasting one of the greatest automotive soundtracks and a gorgeous contrast between a semi-ostentatious exterior and delightfully lovely inside.
With many luxury automakers having a competitor in the subcompact performance SUV sector, the performance SUV continues to gain prominence as a vehicle class. Despite the fact that these goods are based on high-riding, hefty SUVs and have sporty suspension setups, powerful engines, sizable brakes, and totally road-biased setups, they seem to have found a market.
With numerous new and improved Audi models unveiled throughout the year, the attack on the RS model has continued into 2021.
Styling
There is no denying that our press unit, finished in the eye-catching Kyalami Green metallic paintwork, looks absolutely menacing, somewhat resembling a miniature version of Lamborghini's Urus. It also features 21-inch alloy wheels, the black styling package, and various other gloss black styling accents. Even while the Sportback is less functional than the normal RS Q3, it makes a statement visually thanks to its roofline, which is about 45mm lower.
Interior
Like the majority of the Audi lineup, the RS Q3's interior is a stunning space with lovely ergonomics, high-quality materials, and subtle touches like sports seats with honeycomb stitching and a Bang & Olufsen sound system that give you the sensation that you are in a high-end vehicle. One of the more user-friendly and high-resolution infotainment systems available is the MMI system, which also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As part of the drive choose functionality, there is also the brand's virtual cockpit and a slew of features like lane departure warning, 360-degree cameras, 3-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and the brand's adaptive chassis control.
The RS Q3 Sportback provides 530 liters of cargo space, which can be increased to 1 400 liters by folding down the back seats. Although the rear seat room is respectable, a normal RS Q3 is a better option for customers who transport larger people due to the rear roofline's slant.
Performance
A powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine with 294kW and 480Nm of torque propels the RS Q3, and it is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that distributes power to all four wheels. Audi had to install an OTP filter on its models, which dampened the beautiful sound the engine made, but the car still sounds fantastic despite this.
The car does, however, have quite an amount of turbo lag, probably as a result of its relatively large turbocharger, which feels like it truly starts to sing after 4000 r/min.
The car feels just as swift as Audi's claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 280 km/h. However, you do get the impression that the gearbox is somewhat restraining itself during launch control conditions, and there is unquestionably a sense that it is being restrained by the aforementioned filter.
The car lacks any discernible feel, which is a trait it shares with many performance SUVs and is probably the result of trying to make something with a high center of gravity handle with some semblance of sportiness. The ride is firm, and while the handling is sure-footed and seemingly unflappable, the car is devoid of any discernable feel.
Safety
The bigger Q3 model line, which includes the RS Q3, was crash-tested by the Euro NCAP evaluation program in 2018, earning a maximum 5-Star rating. The rating includes 95% for the safety of adult occupants, 86% for the safety of kid occupants, 76% for the safety of pedestrians, and 85% for the systems that provide safety assistance.
Fuel efficiency
Audi states that the RS Q3 uses 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, but during our time with the vehicle, we actually used 12.3 liters per 100 kilometers, which is probably because we got a little too enamored with the five-cylinder engine's booming sound.
Verdict
When considered as a quick, little SUV with a sloping roofline, the RS Q3 performs almost all of the functions you may anticipate of a product in this market. It is admirable how Audi has been able to add such enjoyment to something that may otherwise be uninteresting and ultimately suffer from ever-tougher emissions rules.
The automobile is also quite reasonably priced and has enough standard equipment that any more options can be viewed as completely needless. As simple as it may be to write off the RS Q3 as useless, it yet manages to be very appealing, boasting one of the greatest automotive soundtracks and a gorgeous contrast between a semi-ostentatious exterior and delightfully lovely inside.
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