The small luxury crossover SUV is a tricky proposition. If you're in the car business, you pretty much have to sell one because all your competitors do. Think BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Range Rover Evoque, Lexus NX, Cadillac XT4, Lincoln Corsair and Jaguar E-Pace.
So you have to show up. Trouble is, to be a success, you also have to stand out. And that's tricky because small luxury SUVs are all pretty similar---four doors, a tailgate, what would have been called a station wagon in another age, just with less room in the wayback.
Audi has chosen the safe path---rather than trailblaze, it just doubles down on all the things that Audi has stood for over the years---smooth design, tasteful interiors and, its quattro all-wheel drive system. As a result, there aren't any surprises in the 2019 Audi Q3 S Line quattro---but that means there aren't any glaring deficiencies, either. This vehicle is all about quiet competence.
Under the hood, there's a 228-horsepower two-liter inline four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. That's good for 0 to 60 miles per hour in seven seconds and an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon city, 27 highway.
Other standard mechanical bits include the aforementioned quattro (yes, Audi writes "quattro" in all lower case) all-wheel drive, speed sensitive, electromechanical power steering, a start/stop system and 19-inch dynamic wheels with 235/50 all-season tires.
There's also anti-lock brakes with brake assist, Electronic Stabilization Control with offroad mode, electronic vehicle immobilization, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights with dynamic turn signals, a rearview camera and tire pressure monitoring.
Also standard at the base price of $36,000:
- Audi drive select
- Audi MMI touch response
- 8.8-inch touchscreen
- Audi smartphone interface
- Audi sound system
- Aluminum S line door sills, illuminated
- Aluminium roof rails
- Digital instrument cluster
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Full paint finish
- S line styling kit
- Heated front seats
- Leather seating surfaces
- LED headlights with high beam assist
- Micrometallic silver inlay
- Panoramic sunroof
- Mobile phone prep (Bluetooth)
- Power adjustable, heated exterior mirrors
- Power tailgate
- Rear seat with 20/40/20 split folding, sliding and reclining
- Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel
- One USB-C and three USB-A ports
- 8-way power driver's seat with four-way power lumbar
Our tester also had some extra-cost options:
- Prestige Package (alarm, HomeLink garage door opener, SiriusXM All Access service with three-month free trial, Audi advanced key, Audi parking system plus, Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic assist, lane departure warning, eight way power passenger seat with four-way power lumbar, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, aluminum spectrum inlays, full LED headlights, Audi phone box with wireless charging and signal booster, MMI Navigation Plus, MMI touch response upgraded to 10.1-inch touchscreen, Audi Connect PRIME and PLUS six-month subscription, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D Sound, park steering assist, topview camera, LED interior lighting plus package, heated driver auto-dimming power-folding exterior mirrors and a stainless steel trunk sill): $6,900
- Sport Interior Package (Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, S Line sport seats with contrast stitching and brushed aluminium matte inlay): $500.
- Brown Gray Natural Wood, matte inlay: $350.
With $995 destination charge, the bottom line on the window sticker came to $44,745---which is on the reasonable side for this class.
Again, the Audi isn't a segment-buster. It's not out to revolutionize small luxury SUVs. But it absolutely nails its mission---packaging what buyers expect from Audi in a smaller-sized vehicle.