The 2019 Audi Q3 S Line quattro. |
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.
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.