2012 Audi Q3 First Drive

This may be hard to believe, but Audi says that by next year it will sell 42 different models. It's a strategy that assumes that you can please all of the people all of the time, as long as you give them enough choices.

The newest member of the family to roll out of the Ingolstadt sausage factory is the 2012 Audi Q3, a compact crossover. Pinching parts from any number of other Audis, it's designed to sit below the Q5 in the lineup and do battle with the soon-to-be launched BMW X1, not to mention the newly updated VW Tiguan.

Audi reckons it can convince a 100,000 Europeans a year to buy a Q3, as they tend to like their vehicles on the smaller side. It has no such confidence in the U.S., though, as it has no plans to sell any Q3s here unless dealers are besieged by angry, would-be buyers. So in other words, it's not headed here anytime soon.

So What Will the Euros Get?
The 2012 Audi Q3 will launch with four different engine options, all of which are transversely mounted and boast 2.0 liters, turbocharging, direct injection and stop-start technology. The TFSI gasoline engines boast 168 and 200 horsepower, respectively, while the TDI turbodiesels offer up 138 and 175 hp.

The 200-hp gas engine is shared with the new, U.S.-bound 2012 VW Tiguan and it's not without merit, but the TDI feels better suited to the Q3's relaxed gait. The diesel gives away 25 hp but counters with an extra 59 pound-feet of torque that's available from just 1,750 rpm. It consumes less fuel, too, and it's hardly bereft of refinement. For the record Audi reckons the 2.0 TDI Quattro is good for zero to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds, versus 6.9 seconds for the 2.0 TFSI, but in the midrange the diesel's torque will claw back lost ground.

Being Europe and all, stick-shift gearboxes will be offered alongside the seven-speed S tronic (DSG) double-clutch system. The latter comes complete with paddle shifters and is likely to be a popular choice, although some of the low-speed shifts are surprisingly jerky. On the most powerful gas and diesel models, the clutch disengages automatically while coasting to reduce fuel consumption.

Not a Cushy Crossover
The 2012 Audi Q3 features MacPherson struts in front and a multilink suspension setup in the rear that gives the compact crossover a respectable 6.7 inches of ground clearance. A front-wheel-drive Q3 will be offered in Europe, but most are expected to feature Quattro four-wheel drive.

A hydraulic multiplate clutch distributes the power to the front and rear wheels as needed and works in conjunction with the ESP system and an electronic differential lock to brake individual wheels if they lose traction. The Q3's built for negotiating muddy roads, not Moab, but its strengths would not be dismissed in the Snowbelt.

Reil believes that the Q series models' high center of gravity makes them unworthy of the RS badge.

In the distinctly sunnier climes of Zurich, Switzerland, where we tested the car, the Q3's ride proved somewhat enigmatic. Electronic damping is an option, but in anything less than Comfort mode, the ride is unnecessarily firm. For the same reason, we'd also advise against the S line suspension pack that introduces stiffer spring and damper rates and a 0.8-inch (20mm) reduction in ride height. The Q3 isn't a sports car, so it shouldn't ride like one.

Its overall handling could best be described as capable rather than inspired. There's little body roll and plenty of grip, but while the speed-dependent electromechanical steering is direct, there's not much road feel coming through. As crossovers go, it's acceptable; just don't expect an A3 in drag.

Testing the "RS"
Audi threw a bit of a surprise on the launch by taking along a couple of 2.5-liter, five-cylinder Q3s. Using a detuned version of the RS3's turbo engine, it offers a still-hefty 305 hp and sounds tremendous.

The prototypes were running on the S line suspension, but Quattro GmbH boss Stefan Reil reckoned that his company would overhaul both the suspension and the exhaust system before the high-performance Q3 hits the streets in a couple of years.

It will be built by Reil's performance division but it won't be badged as an RS. Reil believes that the Q series models' high center of gravity makes them unworthy of the RS badge. Then again, BMW said the same thing about its X Series SUVs for a long time, too.

Typical Audi Styling
There is absolutely nothing shocking about the Q3's styling. In contrast to the cartoonish Land Rover Evoque and the macho posturing of the X1, the Q3 is a hymn to the virtues of sensible, understated design. No one will take offense and no one will post it on their bedroom wall. Audi talks of a "coupelike roof line," which is stretching it a bit, but it's certainly more of a jacked-up hatchback than a genuine SUV.

The most interesting angle is from the front, where the latest Audi grille is framed by two scowling eyes that give the car a distinctive face. This effect is exaggerated at dusk when the daytime running lights look almost sinister. There are more LEDs at the rear, and they're described as the noses of two antelopes facing each other. Seriously.

Audi has always done a neat job of positioning its models, and the Q3 is no exception. At 172.6 inches long, the Q3 is 9.6 inches shorter than a Q5 and 27.6 inches shorter than the gargantuan Q7. It's a little narrower, too, but only 2.6 inches lower than the Q5 as Audi seeks to maintain the high-set driving position.

Same Goes for the Inside
The 2012 Audi Q3's cabin is superb. Anyone familiar with any other Audi will immediately feel a common sense of purpose. Canted slightly toward the driver, the fascia is a paragon of good taste and ergonomic efficiency. Plunder the options list and you can spec any number of niceties, including the hugely effective navigation system that employs Google Earth imagery, while subtle "mood lighting" emanates an impression of luxury and calm.

We once met the man responsible for the haptic quality of Audi's switchgear, and while he may not have been a threat to Jay Leno as a raconteur, it was hard to argue with his work. Fondle an air-conditioning switch in a modern Audi and you understand the value of graphing the damping force of a plastic knob. Thankfully the man's work filtered down to the Q3.

The Q3 is not only beautifully made; it's also surprisingly spacious. Two 6-footers can ride in tandem in genuine comfort. There is considerably more space here than you'll find in an A3. Anyone expecting a trunk to match will be disappointed, though. With the seats in place, there are 16.2 cubic feet of space, compared with 19.1 cubic feet for the Q5.

Should Do Well, in Europe at Least
The compact SUV sector is the fastest-growing area of the European market, and it's hard not to imagine the Q3 also succeeding in other parts of the world. It might not have the bravado of the new Range Rover Evoque, but it has a solid blend of competence and desirability.

For now Audi says it has no plans to sell the Q3 in the U.S. Then again, it always says that about cars it's not sure about. Better to let BMW test the waters with its X1 instead. Rest assured, if the X1 does well, the 2012 Audi Q3 won't be too far behind.

Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.