Baby got back

Following the launch of the Q3, Audi has brought out another bodystyle of the SUV and called it the Q3 Sportback. Is it any sportier than the Q3 and should you consider it over the Q3? We drive the car to answer these questions

I'll start with a very honest opinion about SUV coupes. You see, SUVs in my books have always been a symbol of power and dominance thus the traditional boxy shape emphasises the butch, muscular visage of one. Coupes on the other hand, tell you that the person likes their car to look fast and sporty even while standing still. Mixing the two however, in my humble opinion, leaves me a bit perplexed. An SUV can be fast and a coupe is already accepted as a fast car minus the practicality of an SUV. But when the Audi Q8 came along, it showed the world, Audi's vision and commitment to make the confluence of the two body styles near perfect and the new Q3 Sportback follows in its footsteps.

The sloping roofline that tapers towards the back isn't as pronounced as a sedan and Audi has ensured that the coupe-look gives the Q3 Sportback a fast SUV stance while retaining the sedan-like window-line. This generation of the Q3 brought along visual changes and those are now highlighted with the S-Line trim that we have on test. Matte aluminium silver highlights, black mesh grille, sporty front, rear bumpers and side skirts along with the LED DRLs with a distinguishable Audi signature, all come together to make for a good-looking SUV within a compact footprint. The only oddity is the use of high-profile tyres that balloon enough to make the 18-inch wheels look smaller than they are.

The interior in typical Audi fashion, exudes a vibe of luxury with generous use of faux leather, soft touch materials and great quality plastics but it's the build quality of the cabin and attention to detail that really catches my fancy.