Audi

RS Q3

The RS Q3 is the new flagship model of Audi’s Q3 series and combines all the Q3’s SUV qualities with the prowess of the RS branding. The result is a blisteringly quick sports utility vehicle.

The good

Handling, practicality and technology

The bad

Pricey for an SUV albeit a top notch one

Tech Specs

Price from

£45,540

Combined Fuel up to

32.8mpg

0-62 from

4.8 seconds

max speed up to

155mph

co2 from

203g/km

Test Drive

Audi RS Q3

Audi’s Q3 has joined a rather exclusive line-up because it is the only SUV in the company’s impressive range of cars to feature the coveted RS badge.

This means Audi has brought all its sporting and high performance know-how and introduced it into a family car. My word, that school run will never be the same again!

The new flagship model of the Q3 series is powered by the multi-award-winning five cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine which propels the vehicle to 62mph in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed restricted to 155mph.

But it’s the manner in which the RS Q3 achieves these stats that really impresses.

The seven-speed semi-automatic transmission is very responsive and just the hint of pressure on the accelerator propels the car through its paces with the utmost ease.

Comfort levels are exceptionally good and all the other qualities one expects to find in a premium SUV are apparent at every turn. There is ample room for five adults to travel in comfort and storage options are very good with a generously sized boot and the option of 60:40 split-folding rear seats to increase the capacity if needed.

But make no mistake; there is no doubting this car belongs to a rather exclusive club with RS trademarks throughout.

There is, for example, a sculpted rear spoiler, 20-inch alloys, black painted brake callipers with RS logo, the Quattro emblem perched neatly at the base of the honeycomb-styled black grille, a distinctive RS bumper, enlarged air inlets, expanded wheel arches, an oval tailpipe and RS badging at every turn throughout the cabin.

The interior is packed with techno treats and features the very finest leather and materials on offer. For example, the test car boasted Black Fine Nappa leather upholstery with rock grey stitching which contrasted beautifully with the carbon inlays and LED interior light package.

Other features included a flat-bottomed multi-function sports steering wheel, an excellent BOSE sound system, RS instrument cluster with grey dials, red needles and white scales, a 6.5-inch retractable display screen, sat nav, dual-zone air conditioning and Audi’s Drive Select which changes the car’s dynamics and handling capabilities.

The car was priced at £41,735 but featured a whole host of optional extras which bumped up the price-tag to £47,520.

But for an up-market SUV with RS driving dynamics that doesn’t seem such a hefty price to pay, and after five minutes behind the wheel I believe most people would be of the same opinion.

The comfort, road-holding and seemingly limitless power on tap cannot fail to impress as the RS Q3 hurtles down country lanes taking sharp bends in its stride.

The high-seated driving position means excellent all-round visibility and for its size, the vehicle proved exceptionally agile and nimble to handle which makes parking all the simpler too.

Some gear changes seemed a little rough around the edges, but that was my only slight gripe after completing a nice road route comprising town centres, motorways and country lanes.

Another plus factor comes via the experts who are predicting that the RS Q3 will hold an amazing 52 per cent of its value after three years and 60,000 miles.

All in all, the RS Q3 is quite a car and when you take into account its quattro all-wheel-drive ability too, it is easy to see why Audi believes is already labelling it as the hero of the Q3 range.