2020 Audi Q3 Sportback Gives Luxury Compact Crossover A Style Injection

Audi has revealed its first compact crossover, and if the 2020 Q3 Sportback is the shape of things to come then consider us interested. A small SUV, with crossover dimensions and a coupe-esque sloping roofline at the rear, the Q3 Sportback promises driving dynamics to match, too.

Outside, it's clearly related to Audi's other small SUVs like the Q3 and Q5. At the front, there's the octagonal Singleframe grille, picking up on the three-dimensional design cues we've seen most recently on the Q8 and Audi e-tron SUV. Here, it's finished in black, with trapezoidal air inlets and a flat blade bumper.

It's at the back, of course, where things get interesting. With a more sloping roofline the Q3 Sportback looks longer than its Q3 sibling. Flat D-pillars and a roof edge spoiler add some visual interest, too, while oversized contouring above the wheels emphasize the quattro all-wheel drive. The reversing lights are particularly unusual, with an inward-taper.

At the front, three different types of headlamps will be offered. Top spec 2020 Q3 Sportback trims will get Audi's Matrix LED lights.

Under the hood, in Europe at least there'll be both a gas and diesel engine to choose between. The 2.0 TFSI gas engine will have 230 horsepower, while the 2.0 TDI diesel will get 150 hp. Both will have an S tronic automatic transmission, though Audi will eventually offer a manual too. There's also a more powerful diesel and a 48v mild hybrid gas engine on the roadmap.

Quattro comes standard on the top engines, Audi says, with wheel-selective torque control that uses targeted braking to tighten up turns and make them more stable. There's a hydraulic multi-plate clutch on the rear axle for power transition.

Inside, there's seating for five. A 10.25-inch center display is standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen optional. MMI navigation plus includes Audi's Virtual Cockpit on higher spec cars. Natural language recognition is supported, and there's adaptive navigation that can suggest where you might want to go based on previous patterns. Alexa is integrated too, as is Audi's traffic light information system.

Optional LED lighting has 30 different shades to choose between. As for cargo, there's between 18.7 cubic feet and 49.4 cubic feet of storage, depending on whether the rear seats are flat. The trunk has a two-level loading floor, and there's an optional electric tailgate with foot-motion trigger.

Audi says the 2020 Q3 Sportback will go on sale in Europe this fall, priced from 40,200 euro ($45,000). The cheapest Quattro model will start from 46,200 euro ($52,000). No word on when – or if – the Q3 Sportback will be coming to the US at this stage.