Audi Q3 Sportback

Like with every new Audi, no diesel engine is available, but in the Sportback, this doesn't seem to be an issue; after all, practicality wasn't your primary priority when selecting this variant.

Also, what a fantastic petrol powertrain this 40 TFSI has! It has a respectable 190hp and 320Nm wallop, which is delivered with great accuracy by a 7-speed dual-clutch auto and standard AWD, which is quickly becoming obsolete in this market.

It's not the sharpest handler, but that's good; it's mild, predictable, and neutral to drive, with the underappreciated safety net of AWD, which will suit most owners perfectly.

Nevertheless, it may be smooth and polished when you want it to be; simply push the Drive Select switch until you reach the Comfort or Efficiency settings. Speaking of which, it managed to return between 10 and 12kpl when we drove gently, which is impressive given the capability of this 2.0 TFSI engine. In this mode, steering is light and effortless, making it ideal for city driving.

Again, the suspension is on the soft side, which is great. It still retains tremendous composure when pushed quickly into corners, so you can have some fun with it, but the majority of the time, it is extremely comfortable, which is considerably more valuable in the Indian setting.

Every Q3 Sportback include lots of driver aid technology, like as autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist recognition, lane-departure warning, hill-hold assist, and side assistance while changing lanes on the highway. Audi's Pre-Sense Basic technology is also included, which locks the windows and tightens the seatbelts if it detects an impending collision.

The Driving Assistance pack (standard on Vorsprung or available as an option elsewhere) includes rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera, and emergency aid.

The main lure here is aesthetic distinction, and Audi has wisely reserved its aggressive S-Line style kit only for the Q3 Sportback.

This brings you much more aggressive front and rear bumpers with large brushed silver trim inserts, a hexagonal mesh pattern with additional brushed silver parts rather than the basic SUV's vertical chrome slats, and a welcome five-twin-spoke design for the 18-inch alloy wheels. Its spectacular Turbo Blue paint colour is also unique to this model.

Then there's the slanted roof, which isn't quite as gracefully executed as in bigger coupe SUVs like the Q8 or e-tron Sportback.

It might be the overall proportions or the bulky tail-lamps and bumpers, but it's more than likely because balancing design and utility in a smaller box is considerably more difficult, as we'll see later.

In any case, it will undoubtedly attract attention and give the Q3 Sportback an appearance unlike any other SUV on the market right now.

The front part of the cabin is identical to that of the Q3 SUV, which means a clever and modern design with some fascinating forms and surfaces that are wrapped in high-quality materials at every touch point.

It might have used a little more bling in its appearance, but that's a personal opinion, and you do get some degree of customization with the option of brown or beige upholstery.

It's also well-equipped, with features such as powered front seats, fully featured infotainment and digital dial panels, dual-zone temperature control, gesture-controlled operated tailgate, wireless phone charging, and a 10-speaker sound system.

Nonetheless, at this price, driver-seat memory would have been a welcome addition.

The back seat isn't as large as a standard SUV, which is the elephant in the room. You have to duck a little to get on, and headroom is limited for taller people once inside. Other from that, it's a very nice place to be, with lots of leg room, thigh support, and soft chairs.

The bench is shaped for two passengers, like in the ordinary vehicle, so the third won't be as comfy, but unlike the SUV, you only get a single-pane sunroof, not a panoramic one.

Audi claims the Sportback has the same 530-litre luggage capacity as the ordinary Q3, and while useable storage space isn't quite as large, it's still rather large. Despite the fact that a space-saving spare tyre is placed beneath the floor.