Wider Net

MORE TYPES OF SUVS HAVE US LOOKING DEEPER THAN EVER FOR A WINNER

SUVOTY I Contenders

Audi Q3

PRO Futuristic IP and console • Nimble handling • Big rear seat for its class
CON Lots of interior plastic • Bouncy ride • Merely adequate powertrain

Following industry trends, Audi has allowed its subcompact Q3 crossover to grow into something that can fit standard-sized Americans.

The first impression is strong. Familiar Audi exterior styling is smartly tailored to the small package, so much so that it was often mistaken for the identically hued and decidedly more expensive E-Tron.

Similarly, the dashboard—with its standard digital instrument cluster and wide, frameless touchscreen infotainment system—will make prospective buyers feel like they’ve stepped into a much more expensive model. Our top-shelf Prestige S-Line tester was well equipped with a premium stereo, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera, justifying its $8,200 premium over a base model.

The price becomes harder to justify, however, when your eyes dip below chest level, where cheap plastic abounds. Multiple judges called out the center-console. It’s plain and stark and headed by a blank panel, where the ignition button and volume knob have been seemingly dropped into a sea of plastic.

The judges had universal praise for the enlarged, capacious rear seat—bonus points for USB ports and separate vents— even if it comes at a cost to cargo space. Audi’s implementation of wireless Apple CarPlay is notably better than BMW’s.