There are six engine options - four petrol TFSI units and two TDI diesels - with power outputs ranging from 150PS to 400PS. All the mainstream engines are four-cylinder direct injection units with turbocharging. Things kick off with the '35 TFSI' front-driven derivative, which offers a 150PS 1.5-litre engine that uses the cylinder on demand efficiency system, which temporarily switches off two cylinders at low load. Buyers choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed S tronic automatic.
Next up is the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit of the '45 TFSI quattro', offered with 245PS. Here, you get S tronic auto transmission and quattro 4WD as standard. Also offering 245PS is the Plug-in Hybrid 45 TFSIe variant, which mates a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor and can offer an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles. At the top of the range is the wild RS Q3, which uses a 400PS 2.5-litre five cylinder petrol engine.
For folks still wanting a diesel, there's the '35 TDI', which gets you the usual 2.0-litre TDI powerplant with 150PS. Here, the choice is between a front-driven manual variant, an auto or a quattro auto. There's also a 2.0-litre 200PS '40TDI quattro' model, only offered with the S tronic auto and four-wheel drive.
Adaptive damping is optional and you can adjust it via the settings of the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. Also standard is progressive steering, the ratio of which becomes gradually more direct as the steering angle increases. Hill descent control is also optional, to help you down slippery slopes, should you ever use your Q3 'off piste'.