Audi RS Q3 Sportback Review – nothing to be Blue about

I’m annoyed I can’t call this a Hot Hatch. I mean, it’s got a hatch-like boot, and a hatch-like shape and bloody hell, it goes like the clappers, so we need a new name for hot small SUVs because the Audi RS Q3 Sportback is pure joy.

Powered by Audi’s cracking good five-cylinder turbo engine this thing looks, sounds and goes just as you’d hope.

The look of the Audi RS Q3 Sportback

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. That Blue.

It’s called “Turbo Blue” officially, and – I love it.

Not quite as jarring as the Green which we had on the TT RS last week, it’s still a legitimate m&m colour this one.

But what’s so great about the colour is the $2,500 option that is the “RS extended design package in blue”. This gives you a stunning Alcantara blue finish on the doors, seats, dashboard – bloody everywhere!

And the stitching on the seats is Blue.

So is the stitching on the steering wheel which is covered in a black Alcantara itself.

Outside of the colour, the Sportback design of the Q3 is without question my favourite. It just looks a whole heap better than the standard Q3 in my view – but that’s subjective.

I guess the only downside to the Sportback is the narrow rear view window.

Overall though this is a really great look for the modern Audi, their overall design scheme really comes into its own on this Audi RS Q3 Sportback.

RS Performance

Funny story. I loved the look of the TT RS, and I know it had the performance too. But, in a week driving that car, I did all the things that average owners would do.

Drive to work, drive to the shops, take a small run up the highway. And I never really felt like it was a sports car in the truest sense unless I was looking at it, or giving it a bit out on the road.

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback is completely different. Sure it looks good, and sporty in the basic design. And yes, the Blue gives it another level.

But this thing when fired up sounds great. Honestly, in the cabin sounds better than the TT.

Two RS modes at your fingertip right on the steering wheel will stiffen things up and even give the exhaust a nice new bubble and squeek.

It’s not a roar, but boy it sounds like something is clearing it’s throat and will turn heads, even 0-50 in the burbs.

I won’t like – I threw it into RS2 mode almost every time, opening up the sound brought a smile to my face every time.

0-100 in 4.5 seconds – wowsers, and 294kW of power with 480Nm of torque. This ain’t no slouch.

On the road it’s smooth, tight on the turns and you’re never left wanting under foot.

Should you buy the Audi RS Q3 Sportback?

Hell yeah. $92,900 plus on roads, but get the 21 inch alloys, get the extended design pack, get the Audi rings in black and that will take you to $96,500 and you’ll never look back.

Big price to pay, I get that, but if you’re a Sydney woman in her 20’s who just won Powerball – this is your daily driver, call me for a few more recommendations.

Personally, I’d love to own one. It’s probably a bit small for me as a father-of-three but that’s why Audi have bigger models right?

Web: Audi