New Audi Q3 Sportback 2020 pricing and specs detailed: Small SUV proves it pays to look good

Audi Australia will launch its new Q3 Sportback coupe-style small SUV in March with two variants.

The entry-level 35 TFSI S Line is priced from $49,900 plus on-road costs, while its limited Launch Edition counterpart checks in at $56,450. The more traditional-looking Q3 is already available with the same two variants but is $3500 and $3700 more affordable respectively.

Standard equipment in the Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI S Line includes variable-ratio steering, an S Line body kit and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, a touchscreen multimedia system with natural voice control, satellite navigation with real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay support, dual Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio, a digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, USB-A and USB-C ports, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting and leather-appointed upholstery feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, hill-descent control, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

The Q3 Sportback is the love child of a coupe and an SUV.

The 35 TFSI Launch Edition adds metallic paintwork, rear privacy glass, black exterior trim, power-folding side mirrors with heating, a high-output sound system, power-adjustable front seats with heating and lumbar support, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control and surround-view cameras.

Comfort and Style option packages are also available for those buyers that want to further up the ante.

Both 35 TFSI variants are motivated by a 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

The Q3 comes with wireless Apple CarPlay support, which is a rarity.

This combination can sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds, while its claimed fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test is 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres. Carbon dioxide emissions are 167 grams per kilometre.

A 40 TFSI S Line will join the Q3 Sportback range soon after its launch, with it powered by a 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that’s matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving all four wheels via Audi’s quattro system.

The range-topping RS variant will up the performance ante and complete the BMW X2-rivalling Q3 Sportback range when it arrives in the second quarter with a 294kW/480Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine.

2020 Audi Q3 Sportback pricing before on-road costs