SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active list down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and search through the drop-down menu that appears.
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Exterior pics by Motorpress
Interior by author
Posted: July 19, 2021
The numbers
Base price: R758 500
Engine: 1984 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder, turbopetrol
Power: 132 kW between 4200 and 6000 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm between 1500 and 4100 rpm
0-100 km/h: 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 220 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 9.8 l/100 km
Turning circle: 11.8 metres
Ground clearance, min/max: 170 mm/191 mm
Luggage: 530-625-1400 litres
Standard tyre size: 235/55R18
Spare: Spacesaver
Towing capacity, unbraked and braked: 750 and 2000 kg
Warranty: One year, unlimited distance
Maintenance plan: Five years, 100 000 kmHow do you choose when a manufacturer offers two models, identically specified and differentiated only by styling details and price? I don’t know, but will to try to explain how the almost-matched pair of Q3, two-litre, 40 TFSI quattro S-Line models are the same but different.
First, the market orientation according to Audi is that Q3 is an SUV while Q3 Sportback is a Crossover. Now you know.
Second, the styling: It’s more “four-door coupé” in looks than the SUV; 16 mm longer, 6 mm narrower and 49 mm lower to look longer, sleeker and sexier than its sister.
Inside measurements: Front and rear headroom is reduced by 23 and 48 mm respectively although, despite the optional (R20 480) sunroof fitted to the test car, headspace is still acceptable for taller passengers. Shoulder- and hip allowances are identical for both, but neither front nor rear legroom measurements are mentioned anywhere. Despite its slightly longer body, Sportback’s boot volume with rear seats folded is 125 litres less; probably because of reduced body depth. Loading height is 790 mm vs. 748 for the “plain” version.
As with some other Q cars, the back seat is split into three parts with each section able to slide back and forth through 130 mm, adjustable for seatback recline angle and able to fold almost flat. A disturbing point is that the two outer head restraints don’t adjust all the way down, thereby obscuring about a third of the rear window.
Q3 Sportback models claim a price premium of R29 500 even though, comparing apples with apples or S-Line with S-line, all specs and features are the same. It’s a case of style or smile, perhaps. South African sales of the two, since Sportback’s introduction, have averaged 36 units per month on Sportback against 68 for Regular. Family buyers have spoken.
The standard seven-speed Tiptronic transmission didn’t feel quite as quick or responsive as those on SQ7 or Golf GTI but was still very acceptable. Overall performance is family-car-good; not a racer but it gets the job done.
The ride along our fairly nasty, gravel test road was pleasant; not an air cushion ride but comfortable and stable.
Standard safety and technological kit is fairly comprehensive although some items are only availables as options; rear parking distance alarm, proximity function for the smart key, folding outside mirrors, rearview camera and lane departure warning for example.
Despite some reservations I liked this car but, given a choice, would take the plain version. It’s more spacious and practical and that’s what SUVs and Crossovers are all about. On the other hand, looking good is nice too.
Test unit from Audi SA press fleet
We drove the RS version in 2021
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.
If ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles. And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
Comments or questions?
Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you completely disagree with what I say? If you want advice or have a genuine concern, I will be happy to hear from you. All I ask is that you write something in the subject line so I know which vehicle you're talking about.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8