There’s something poetic about taking a precisely engineered German SUV into the jagged landscape of Nesselberg. Just southwest of Hildesheim, where the road coils like a ribbon around misty pine woods and climbs with a pulse, raising tempo, the terrain doesn’t lie. It tests you. It tests the car. And that’s exactly where I took the Audi Q3 40 TDI , not to show off quattro badges, but to find out whether this compact SUV still earns its rings.
The Audi Q3 has grown up. Since its 2018 redesign, the second generation stands 4.49 meters long and wears Audi’s bold, octagonal grille like a badge of honor. Gone is the timid stance of its predecessor. Now it feels like a smaller Q5, especially from the rear with that sloping glass and prominent roof spoiler. But all that matters little if it doesn’t hold up where asphalt turns unpredictable. That’s why I took the diesel, powered 40 TDI quattro up Nesselberg , to discover whether this premium compact still belongs in Audi’s proud bloodline or if it’s coasting on image alone.
Interior Tech and Everyday Use: Functional Flair with Familiar Shortcuts
I slid into the Q3 and was greeted by familiar Audi cleanliness , lines sharp, screen angled slightly toward the driver, and none of the touchscreen overload that’s crept into modern cabins. The Q3 sticks to a proper, physical climate control layout, and thank God for that. It’s intuitive, fast, and doesn’t need your eyes off the road.
The Alcantara inserts on the dash and doors feel plush without shouting luxury, and the digital instrument cluster , crisp and configurable , adds an understated sophistication. The center touchscreen is quick and modern, but you still plug in your smartphone via USB for Apple CarPlay; no wireless integration here, which feels like an odd miss from Audi. There’s a wireless charging pad tucked away in the console, but the car still insists on a cable handshake for smartphone mirroring.
As I wound through Nesselberg’s switchbacks, the digital cockpit displayed real, time torque split and elevation gain like a cockpit for the road. The diesel hum was subdued, the wheel thick in my palms. It felt more connected than I expected , Audi’s way of saying “you’re still driving, not gliding.”
Rear Passenger Comfort and Boot Space: Practicality Done with Audi Precision
At a glance, the Q3 may not seem spacious, but step into the rear and you’ll feel the benefit of those larger exterior dimensions. The rear bench slides up to 15 cm fore and aft , a rarity in this class , letting you prioritize either rear legroom or boot space depending on the need.
I had two friends with me on the ascent through Nesselberg , both over 1.85 meters , and not a single complaint was uttered. There was decent legroom even with the seats pushed forward slightly to make room for two mountain bikes’ worth of gear in the trunk. The Q3 swallowed it all, from muddy helmets to thick, soled hiking boots. Trunk volume officially sits at 530 liters with the seats up and stretches to 1525 liters when folded down , and crucially, the floor can be set high or low depending on the situation.
Even the parcel shelf slots under the boot floor. Smart, clean, no rattles. Just the kind of OCD, friendly packaging Audi does best.
Performance on the Climb: Diesel with Dual Personalities
Let’s talk power. The Q3 40 TDI I tested was the updated 200, horsepower version, offering 400 Nm of torque from just 1750 rpm. That kind of twist matters in the Nesselberg climb, where third, gear pull up a steep gradient can make or break your confidence.
In day, to, day commuting, the Q3 feels muted and calm. Below 1,800 rpm it isn’t sprightly , almost intentionally slow to stir , but ask for more, and the diesel shows its second personality. Past 2,000 rpm, it starts to wake up, and at 3,000 rpm it pulls hard enough to catch you off, guard in Dynamic mode. The 7, speed dual, clutch gearbox behaves with polished subtlety, mostly imperceptible in city driving but quick to downshift when the throttle calls for it in sportier environments.
On the Nesselberg bends, especially climbing out of tight corners, the quattro system was the real star. No drama. No slipping. No overcorrection. The torque just finds its way to the wheel that needs it most. The steering feels Audi, typical: precise but muted. Don’t expect Porsche, like feedback, but you can point the Q3 with confidence.
I wouldn’t call it thrilling, but composed. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want , especially when your rear wheels are negotiating loose gravel at a hiking trail pull, out.
Real, World Efficiency: The Numbers and the Feel
Audi quotes 7.0 liters per 100 km according to WLTP, and I landed at 6.9 after a mix of uphill, autobahn, and town driving , not bad for a 1.7, ton all, wheel, drive SUV with real pulling power. On the highway stretch before reaching the hills, the Q3 cruised quietly at 140 km/h, engine barely murmuring at 2,000 rpm in seventh gear.
Over the steeper sections of Nesselberg, I did see the consumption touch 8.2 l/100 km, but considering the gradient and pace, it was still respectable. Start, stop worked without fuss, and Audi’s mild eco coaching in the instrument cluster subtly encouraged early upshifts and gentle coasting.
Would a plug, in hybrid be more efficient? Sure. But the diesel gives you that old, school range and consistency. It’s the kind of car you can push hard and still expect 700 kilometers on a tank. The PHEV version of the Q3 may be cleaner on paper, but on this terrain, with high elevation and unpredictable traction, the diesel felt like the right call.
Driving Dynamics: Balanced, Stable, and Predictable
The Q3 isn’t a corner carver, but it behaves like a well, sorted hatchback with more mass. Body roll is present but controlled. The suspension absorbs bumps with European firmness , a bit taut in S line trim, especially on 19, inch wheels, but not uncomfortable. If your region has potholes the size of pizza boxes, consider smaller wheels.
Stability at speed is fantastic. The Q3 tracks straight even on cambered rural roads, and the ESP system quietly works in the background when you provoke it in Dynamic mode. I did a hard left, right, left sequence near the Nesselberg summit, just to see how it reacts under pressure, and the car leaned with discipline but didn’t snap or get unsettled.
Brakes, too, are strong and progressive, with a firm pedal feel. This isn’t always the case in diesel, powered SUVs, but here it adds to the sense of security Audi engineers clearly aimed for.
Conclusion: Audi’s Compact SUV Still Holds Its Ground
There’s a reason the Q3 has been a staple of Audi’s lineup , it walks the fine line between compact agility and genuine utility. After climbing Nesselberg and spending real hours with it, I can say this isn’t just an SUV with a premium badge; it’s one that delivers premium composure, space, and versatility.
Yes, it’s expensive. The test car crossed €50,000 easily, and options pushed it closer to €60,000. But unlike some rivals, you feel where the money went , in the drivetrain calibration, the modular interior, the balance of comfort and control. The diesel may not be the darling of emissions advocates, but on hilly, rural terrain like Nesselberg, its torque and economy still make a strong case.
If you want a compact SUV that behaves maturely, feels solidly built, and can tackle more than urban sprawl, the Q3 remains a benchmark. Not a trailblazer, not an extrovert , but the strong, silent type who always shows up when it matters.
Technical Specifications: Audi Q3 40 TDI quattro S tronic
| Specification | Details |
| Engine | 2.0L 4, cylinder turbo diesel |
| Power | 200 hp (147 kW) @ 3800 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm @ 1750 rpm |
| Transmission | 7, speed dual, clutch S tronic |
| Drivetrain | quattro all, wheel drive |
| 0, 100 km/h | 7.3 seconds |
| Top speed | 225 km/h |
| Fuel consumption (WLTP) | 7.0 l/100 km |
| CO₂ emissions | 183 g/km |
| Length / Width / Height | 4.48 m / 1.85 m / 1.59 m |
| Kerb weight | ~1,720 kg |
| Boot capacity | 530, 1525 liters |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Up to 2,200 kg |
| Starting price (Germany) | €47,900 (base 40 TDI) |
| Price as tested (approximate) | €61,000 |
Is the Audi Q3 40 TDI still worth it despite diesel’s declining popularity?
If you value torque, long range, and strong highway performance, absolutely. Diesel shines in long, distance or mountainous conditions.
Is the plug, in Audi Q3 40 TDI hybrid a better choice?
For city dwellers, maybe. But the diesel is better for rural drives and real, world efficiency when charging isn’t always available.
How does Audi Q3 40 TDI compare to BMW X1 or Mercedes GLA?
The Q3 feels more planted than the GLA, and more refined in chassis than the X1. It’s the quiet achiever of the trio.
