There's no guaranteed recipe for success in today's fiercely competitive car world, but taking a best-selling model and raising its ride height is a fairly safe bet - as Audi showed in 2011 when it launched the A3-based Q3, now one of its most popular models.
With the compact SUV recently entering its third generation, this is a good time to consider the appeal of the Mk2 - which represents the opportunity to bag a practical, plush, modern- looking Audi from only £10,000.
At just under 4.5m long, it's a little larger in footprint than an A3 and so a little roomier. To drive, it's pretty similar: the ride is fine, if a bit wooden over rougher stretches, while the controls are easy to use and the refinement is strong.
Audi interiors were for a long time among the best in the business and the Q3 shines in this regard, benefiting from a still-modern- feeling infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, physical ventilation controls and a level of tactile quality and solidity of feel that a Mercedes GLA and BMW X1 can't quite match. A clear and configurable set of digital instruments came as standard.
However, while crossovers are often usefully square and glassy to aid manoeuvrability, the Q3 has big pillars that create big blindspots, which are made worse in the sloped-back Sportback version, with its really limited rear visibility. Note that parking sensors aren't standard on lower-spec models.
The seats are comfortable for long journeys, especially if you go for Sport trim or above because you get sports seats with more adjustment for the bolsters and lumbar support. Second-row space is only average, so taller adults won't find the back seats especially comfortable - particularly in the Sportback - but growing teenagers are unlikely to complain. A sliding rear bench allows for boot space of 530-675 litres with the backrest up, or up to 1525 litres with it folded down.
