Audi Q3 2015 facelift review

Punchy and clever new Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI petrol is an alternative for efficient diesel engine

verdict

Audi 1.4 petrol with cylinder Demand technology is a welcome addition to the range of Q3. With 148bhp and 50mpg-plus, will especially appeal to those who do not cover a lot of miles so it will not need a diesel engine. Safe handling rather than engage, but the comfort and refinement which Audi excel. It may be an entry-level machine, but it would be unwise to discount it on that basis alone.

With a wide range of frugal diesel engines are offered, topped by a five-cylinder RS fire, it would be easy to overlook the entry-level petrol engine in the range of fresh Audi Q3. But if you do, you'll run straight past what could be the jewel in the line-up.

• Best SUV to buy now

Until now, the 1.4-liter turbo is only performed in luxurious and classy A3 A1 supermini hatchback, but now it is migrated to various SUV Audi. There has been a 1.4-liter petrol is available in Q3 before, but the new machine is equipped with a smart cylinder VW Group on Demand technology - or CoD as manufacturers like to call it. This means that under low throttle load - like when you're cruising on the highway - two of the four-cylinder is closed to help save fuel.

Despite its small size, the machine packs a pretty good punch. There 148bhp on offer, with CO2 emissions of 128G / km and 50.4mpg promise. Moving the throttle responds with a little hesitation, and the free-revving character means it was really good fun to zip along in, and also feels more sprightly than 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds suggests. Find yourself on the straight and maintain a constant throttle, and two of the four cylinders shut down and run it again with a little noise like that, you would not know they were doing it.

Q3 handle gracefully corner - there is little body roll, but remain calm and quiet. But there is precious little communication between the tires and the steering wheel. Basically, it's a comfortable car - and the field at the time, especially with a good space in the rear and boot 420 / 1,320 liters with the seats up or down.

Machine can be connected to a six-speed box or seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic Audi, but when it comes to where electricity is fed to the wheel, there is only one option. Q3 1.4 sheer front-wheel drive - an indication of the type of entry-level SUV buyers addressed. This new machine also marks the mid-life facelift for Q3, which is largely confined to the grille, headlights and rear bumper.

All in all, for those who do not need the extra punch savings and long-term fuel diesel, petrol 1.4 is definitely worth seeing.