Matryoshka Doll

Audi makes a true luxury SUV, size Small. Its the all-new subcompact Q3.

- David Beard

IT’S EASY TO GET LOST in the spectacular views of northern Italy’s Alpine region. The jagged peaks of the Dolomites jutting up from the earth, the crystal-clear lakes filling the valleys, and the lush green hillsides are overwhelming. It should be easy, ascending and descending the never-ending switchbacks, to erase memories of the uninspiring first-generation Audi Q3. But it’s not.

Introduced in 2011 for other markets, the Q3 made its way to the U.S. for the 2015 model year to establish Audi’s presence in the booming luxury-subcompact market. But it was underpinned by a prehistoric platform, its interior could have been dated by radiocarbon, and its styling was as bland as Kansas Thai food. The second-generation Q3 starts with a clean sheet. Crack open the Audi Q8, split the Q7’s shell, and pull apart the Q5, and you’ll eventually work your way down to the 2019 Q3, which replaces the soft, dumpling-like look of its predecessor with a version of the octagonal grille and taut body lines that make up Audi’s current upright, aggressive design language. Each of the two trim levels features a unique fascia. The base model’s nose is subdued, while the S line’s larger faux air intakes and chiseled splitter present a far less benign face. Full-LED lights at all four corners are standard equipment. If you like the contrasting black wheel arches and rocker sills, as we do, you’re out of luck. On U.S.-market vehicles, those pieces will be matched to the body color.