Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro SE 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder engine delivers a decent power output of 168 bhp at 4300-6200 rpm with torque ratings of 206 lb-ft at 1700-4200 rpm. With a top speed of 132 mph and acceleration speeds capable of reaching 0-62 mph in 8.2 seconds, the performance credentials of this model are fantastic considering its class and weight.

Green credentials are unsurprisingly poor however and carbon emissions for this model total 174 g/km which is once again worse than the figure emitted by the diesel equivalent.

Despite these drawbacks, comfort and driveability are still high. Steering is firm and controlled and there is a good level of grip on the road. This helps to control body roll and movement during corners gives the model stability and firmness on the road. Noise from the wind and road is barely audible and the engine is relatively quiet at motorway speeds although the tyres can kick up a small amount of noise.

In terms of internal equipment, the Q3 2.0 TFSI Quattro SE offers a great range of standard kit for owners. This includes power steering, central locking, stability control, alloy wheels, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and an advanced stereo system with a CD player and MP3 connectivity.

A few additional extras are also available at cost with a built in sat nav priced at £495 and cruise control costing £225.

In terms of appearances, a metallic paint finish costs £525 whilst a full leather interior is priced at a rather hefty £1,050.

Noise from the wind and road is audible but not excessive and the engine is relatively quiet when driven at constant speed. The vehicle is relatively light weight for its class but this does not mean it is inferior when it comes to quality with solid construction and high quality materials offering a robust and reliable feel.

In terms of safety, this model comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard. An alarm and immobiliser are also fitted to protect the vehicle from theft and the car comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles. Deadlocks and locking wheelnuts are also standard fixtures which help to increase the safety of the vehicle.

In terms of practicality the boot offers a decent 460 litres when the seats are in place, expanding this to 1,365 litres when they are folded down. Whilst this is a reasonable size it is not much larger than the capacity offered by a family hatchback and that means some buyers may be disappointed. However, the smaller size does allow the car to benefit from smaller dimensions all round, making it easier to drive and manoeuvre.

Priced at £25,690 this is not the cheapest 4x4 on the market and some may find the average storage capacity a deterrent. That being said, the range of in-car features is fairly extensive and when combined with the strong power credentials means there is plenty for buyers to get excited about.

For a 4x4 the fuel economy is poor which is a real disadvantage and the petrol engine fails to match diesels for their financial benefits. The car achieves just 38.7 mpg on a combined cycle which grows to 54.3 mpg in the diesel Q3 models, making them a much more lucrative option.

Resale values are expected to be fairly stable for the Q3 range although due to the high volume of Audi models depreciation is to be expected.

Overall the Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro SE 5dr is a fairly powerful model with a good range of in-car kit but unfortunately the inefficient petrol engine fails to deliver the financial benefits of the diesel equivalent, limiting its popularity and practicality.