Used 2020 Audi Q3 Premium for sale 

2020 Audi Q3 is available in five exclusive trims which can be broadly divided into two categories. The root trims include Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige S Line and the two aesthetically upgraded trims which are Premium S Line and Premium Plus S Line. Both of these trims have visual upgrades both inside out. All the variants are powered by a2.0L turbocharged inline four-pot which chunks out a generous 228 horses and 258-pound feet of torque.

All the trims are filled to the brim with features and have various distinguishing features as well which makes each one unique. The Premium trim starts at $34700 and ends with the Prestige S Line at $42900 which helps it impress a wider audience.

A set of additional packages can also be opted with the car which focuses on comfort and convenience.

Which trim would be the best fit?

Premium Plus is our trim of choice as it includes a whole lot of features when compared to the base Premium trim and even adds up on safety with parking sensors and an anti-theft alarm system with motion sensors. Keyless entry and heated front seats add to the creature comfort of the vehicle which for $37800 is a pretty sweet deal. The premium plus and convenience packages come included in this which makes it wholesome.

The 2020 Audi Q3 is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four motor which pumps out 228 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque. The engine is peppy, to say the least with ample mid-end torque which helps it shoot forward with the same zeal through any gear.

The 8-Speed Automatic transmission supports the engine with short gear ratios that helps it to move swiftly without any hiccups. The power and torque have been bumped from last year’s which is a welcome change and helps to refresh the Q3 in a competitive market. 

The most interesting part of the competition is that all are powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine. This trickles down to the fact as of how the manufacturers tune it to maximize power output along with weight management. Taking all these factors into consideration, Cadillac has managed to squeeze a maximum power of 237 hp from the XT5. Mercedes Benz GLA 250 produces the least power at 208 horses. All of them produce the same torque figures but Merc manages to deliver it in as low as 1250 RPM largely to a smaller turbocharger which minimizes turbo lag.

How quick is the Q3 in the 0-60 mph run?

Audi has improved on the lackluster performance which held it back last year. Q3’s improved performance helps in shaving a load off its sprint time. The 2020 Audi Q3 does 0-60 mph sprint in just 7 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor. 

A simple remap and reworked engine helps achieve this without any compromise. The minimized lag and swift response time now makes cruising on the highway and merging into traffic a lot easier. 

Lexus NX 300 and Audi Q3 tie in at the top with a 0-60 time of 7 seconds flat. The all-wheel-drive drivetrain helps all of the contenders sprint off the line and achieve impressive numbers. 

Is the Q3 a stern handler?

The sporty character has been retained with a pint of comfort to bump up the overall character. From being utterly maneuverable in cities, nimble on country roads and well balanced on highways, the Q3 is a fun ride in every situation. The longer wheelbase helps in less underside scraping and more carefree driving. He capable chassis on the Q3 is shared with Volkswagen Tiguan.

Audi offers six driving modes that adapt the car for various terrains which ranges from comfortable driving to all-out sporty. The system tweaks throttle response, steering and shifting characteristics to alter the driving dynamics. A sport suspension is also offered as standard with the S Line package which tunes it for more a spirited drive.

How good are the brakes?

The brakes on Audi Q3 are the largest of the lot. This setup helps stop it with ease in a linear manner. The electronic brake distribution helps evenly distribute braking force efficiently at all four wheels. They provide good bite and is linear even in panic braking. 

The data for 60-0 stopping distance has not been discussed yet but we believe that the figures would be similar to last year’s. This makes all of them have more or less the same braking characteristics with Audi moving up the table with its upsized rotors.

The Q3 is a gas guzzler as seen from its efficiency figures. The bump in performance has made Audi sacrifice on fuel efficiency. With a combined 22 miles to a gallon, it is the least efficient of the lot. But as we have seen in its previous iteration, the deviation is not that drastic and Audi has tried to bring about a balance in power and efficiency which was missing earlier.

The GLA 250 manages to be the most efficient one with a combined 28 MPG and this can be hugely credited to its lowest curb weight and being the least powerful also adds to the fact. Lexus and Cadillac tie in between with a combined 24 MPG.

The increased dimensions have made seating much more comfortable and roomy, especially for the rear seats which were a lot cramped in its predecessor. Leather upholstery makes sure that the seats support you in luxury. There is ample under-thigh support for long fatigue-free travel. 

In spite of the huge structure, there are minimum blind spots as compared to its competition and you are seated higher. It provides a better view of the terrain ahead. The dashboard is cleanly laid out with minimum buttons which makes it less clustered. The ad on the Navigation package adds Audi’s Virtual cockpit which replaces the cluster with a 12.3-inch display. It makes way for an immersive experience. It incorporates the tachometer functionality with information on music tracks and Audi connect services, giving a comprehensive outlook for the driver. 

The Q3 is still the most cramped one of the lot in spite of the added dimensions. Cadillac XT4 is spacious of the lot but sacrifices a small portion of the headroom for the slanting roofline which gives it the exclusive look. The second row of all these SUVs is cramped and doesn’t offer much practicality. Of the lot, Cadillac is the most balanced one which provides a decent seating experience.

What are the infotainment features available?

Audi has incorporated the infotainment system to work as a part of the Audi Connect system. It is an 8.8-inch display at the center which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. It is linked passively to the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Infotainment Features

• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.8-inch center display
• Smartphone Interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Two front USB ports (USB A and USB C)
• Two rear USB ports (USB C)
• Bang and Olufsen 3D Sound System with 20 speakers, 6-channel amplifier and 18 W
• HD Radio 
• Bluetooth Streaming Audio

How much cargo can it take in?

Frankly speaking, this is the most dramatic part of Q3. The primary 23.7 cubic feet of cargo space is ample for daily chores. But if this isn’t so, the rear seats can be folded down to facilitate for a humongous 48 cubic feet. To put it into context, this is enough room for you to lie down and enjoy the sunset!

Audi even offers luggage compartment and storage pockets as an option for comfortable long journeys. It includes nets behind the front seats and storage under the front passenger seat. The standard electric tailgate makes life much easy. 

Audi shines here with the largest cargo volume beating the Cadillac XT4 by a margin. The Merc and Lexus don’t even come close to the two.

Interior Features

• Three Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic manually adjustable steering column
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Leather and Alcantara Upholstery
• Heated 8-way power front seats
• 40/40/40 Split-folding rear seats
• Illuminated Aluminum Door sills
• Adjustable cargo floor

2020 Audi Q3 is based on the Volkswagen group’s modular transverse matrix platform. This uses composite aluminum chassis which simply put is much more rigid. The new avatar has grown in all directions and now stands with the higher end spectrum of the compact SUV segment.

The car is now 0.9 inches and wheelbase is stretched by 3.03 inches. This translates to a spacious interior. It looks much sportier than its predecessor. The front fascia now incorporates the large air inlets and octagonal grille which adds to its charisma. The LED lighting is the eye-catcher which has a wedge design to it. The tall shoulder lines give it a muscular look. The steep D-pillar complements the whole design concept and makes it a wholesome car.

All the SUV’s are beautifully proportioned with none looking out of form. We prefer the sleek and stylish Lexus NX 300. Lexus surely knows how to put sharp lines and an SUV together. It is also the largest of the lot which makes the road presence felt in style. GLA is the smallest of the lot and the most subtly styled as well.

Exterior Features

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Q-design Singleframe grille
• Full LED headlights with signature DRL
• LED taillights with dynamic indicators
• High gloss aluminum window surrounds
• Aluminum optic roof rails
• Rear privacy glass
• Power tailgate

Audi has topped its baby SUV with top of the class active and passive safety features as standard leading the class when it comes to assist systems. The adaptive cruise control is one such example that assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control, thus boosting comfort on long journeys.

Safety Features

• Hill Descent Assist
• High Beam Assist
• Advanced Airbag Protection with 8 airbags
• Electronic Brake pressure Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist
• Rear View Camera with top view
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Adaptive Cruise Controls
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Cross-Traffic Assist
• Electric rear child locks

Audi Q3 vs Mercedes Benz GLS 250

The Merc requires a much-needed overhaul like its counterpart, but still manages to stay handsome. It is pricey and has the least cargo volume of the lot. It is cramped among the two and road noise creeps in noticeably. But it will save you a lot of fuel as fuel efficiency is its strong point, provided you don’t mind an underpowered car. Audi has learned from its mistakes and made corrections. We wouldn’t have told this last year, but things are different now and the 2020 Audi Q3 surpasses the Merc with a better overall build. 

Audi Q3 vs Lexus NX 300

Lexus NX 300 performs outright better with its superior performance and cabin space, two key factors which the Q3 lacks. The cabin quality is top-notch and is a cozy place to be in. There is a heap of standard safety features that are missing in the Audi. But the added weight steals a chunk of the performance which lines both of them together. The cargo space is limited for a car of this size and it suffers from a lack of interior features like Android Auto. Being a Lexus, reliability is not at all an issue, unlike the Audi. The positives surely outweigh the negatives and the $3400 premium of the NX 300 is worth every penny.

Audi Q3 vs Cadillac XT5

The only American in the list and it holds up pretty well against the well-established opponents. It provides cabin and cargo space at par with the Audi. The infotainment system is intuitive and simpler to use. But the ride quality is much inferior and dare we say the least impressive of the lot. Vibrations and lots of engine and road noise creep into the cabin. The irony of being a luxury SUV is that many features that come as standard on the Q3 are pricey options on the Cadillac. The Audi Q3 is a better choice of the two which is cheaper by almost $4000!

Audi has closely listened to its customers and delivered with a bumped up better SUV. Most of its downsides have been looked upon and rectified but many remain. But hey, something is better than nothing, right? Very few automakers listen to their customers and Audi is one of them. The entry-level compact SUV from the German giant is an all-rounder which is slowly inching towards perfection.

But all that said, reliability is a serious issue here and it would at one point become a nuisance. We would not want that kind of experience. There is room for a lot of improvement and so the Audi is still immature. Q3 would be our last choice of the lot as its competition offers far greater value with the Cadillac XT4 being the newest player in town and already winning us over with its much better-balanced character.