Test drive Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque: gentlemen in nature

Although they navigate the canyons of a large city rather than rocky gorges, compact SUV models show a readiness for the occasional escape from everyday life. It's a successfully sold BMW X1 worth wary of its new rivals the Audi Q3 and the Range Rover Evoque will clarify the comparative test of three vehicles with dual transmissions and four-cylinder diesel engines with good traction.

You're shy? Before you go to the site, do you listen, is there anyone there? You don't want strangers looking at him and clicking their tongues while you charge your car, do you? Then, for God's sake, don't buy a Range Rover Evoque! For a social phobe, everyday life with a small Range becomes a real hell. And to everyone else - dress better even on Sunday mornings when they drive to the pastry shop for buns - they will almost certainly meet a lot of new people. With a sharp, tapered headlight look, a low roofline and a hint of a testosterone-rich silhouette, the Evoque looks like a rapper among pop stars next to its Audi Q3 and BMW X1 counterparts.

Creative inspiration

Luckily, Baby Range has kept all the promises of the brave studio LRX since 2008. Moreover, the creative inspiration of designers in the interior has not dried up. In the tested version, the four-door Prestige greets its passengers with an atmosphere unique to this class, which has nothing to fear from comparison even with the luxury SUVs of the brand. For example, the multicolored leather with decorative stitching on the dashboard stands out in front of the eye with massive aluminum plates, which do not look like glued decorations, but as load-bearing parts of a solid structure. The whole spectacle is complemented by the perception of the Jaguar automatic transmission mode dial, which, after starting the engine, begins to slowly hum, waiting for the driver's hand.

Fortunately, the fatty form is not associated with unnecessary practical inconvenience. Despite the lowered roof, adult passengers easily get into the cabin and sit comfortably in both the front and rear seats. In addition, the cute dual transmission absorbs a lot of luggage that really needs to be loaded over the high rear sill, but it can be attached to special ring guides on the almost flat - and with the rear seat folded down - luggage compartment floor. In this regard, even many station wagon models cannot boast of anything more.

With so much effort in the layout, we can easily forgive the hard plastic at the bottom of the interior and the narrow openings that make it difficult to look back. It's harder to be forgiving with a sophisticated, controllable multimedia device with a phlegmatically responsive touchscreen that looks poorly polished due to mobile phone connectivity issues and poor radio reception.

Villa with decoration

Such shortcomings are unknown to the fast and secure infotainment system in the third quarter. And it's true, the test car was equipped not with an expensive navigation MMI, but with a cheaper analogue for 3 levs, including a music interface and a device for wireless connection via Bluetooth. Overall, compared to the Evoque, the entry-level Q series looks like a meeting hotel next to an artistic villa.

This, of course, has its advantages. Through the far-located rear window, the dimensions of a compact Audi are easily perceived, the car makes life easier for the driver with precise pressing of switches and pleases the passengers of the second row with the most comfortable rear seat in the test.

At the rear, however, the joy quickly dries up - if you want to load more things, you have to remove the fixed bark above the trunk, place it next to the car, and then carry the luggage over the high railing. Then, of course, do not forget to pinch the bark again in the appropriate nests. Because the rear seat forms a mount and high leg when folded down, heavy objects cannot simply be pushed inward. The hard-to-reach cargo area surprised even more, given that, in good Q7 tradition, the cover covers half of the rear, which rises along with the headlights.

Winter Sports

Although no one buys a BMW because of the folding seats, the X1's luggage compartment is fully responsive to the needs of everyday life. With the 40:20:40 split rear seat center folded down, you can carry a large amount of winter sports equipment, even with four passengers. Overall, the interior impresses with thoughtful details, such as wide rubber strips for securing small items in door pockets, accessible space for small items and MP3 player pins that do not have to be felt somewhere deep in the center console, but are located in a convenient place in the field of view driver. Perfectly positioned sports seats surround the person behind the wheel and those sitting next to them, providing them with solid lateral support.

However, even the beautiful furniture of the test car with the pleasant-tactile Alcantara from the M-package cannot overcome the disappointing impression of the quality of the interior. For example, a dashboard requires higher quality materials, and not just in less visible areas. Even the roof panel above the devices consists of a large and unstable piece of hard plastic, while on the inside of the bonnet above the engine, BMW specialists have completely preserved both the paint and the insulation felt.

Real things

This does not appear to have hampered the commercial success of the X1, which is second only to the VW Tiguan in the SUV model sales rankings in Germany. Why this is so, it becomes clear after the first meters. With a passion unmatched by any other model in its class, the X1 plunges into corners without any sign of nervousness or hesitation and does not allow itself to understeer or wobble to the physical limits of traction. The driver willingly pushes all 177 diesel horses to the end and due to the fact that the steering system, which works precisely and with a sense of the road, constantly gives him the feeling that he is the master of the situation. In addition, even with the smallest X-model, BMW designers managed to achieve a perfect weight balance of 50 to 50 percent between the front and rear axles. However, they apparently believed that driving comfort was something they could do without, for example at the Oktoberfest lemonade stand. Therefore, the shocking overcoming of sections with poor coverage quickly makes passengers wonder if the negative aspects of the proposed dynamics are not so great.

We find the answer after switching to Q3. With slightly more insensitive steering, Audi doesn't show the same unbridled momentum, but thanks to its adaptive dampers, it best combines a combination of offensive corners with almost no lateral tilt and smooth road travel. The energetic yet smooth shifting of the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is equally delightful for fans of sporty and comfortable styling.

The redesigned 3-litre TDI contributed to the general maturity of the Q100. Thanks to effective sound deadening and a new centrifugal pendulum in the flywheel, the four-cylinder engine runs remarkably smoothly and pulls harder than the equally powerful BMW engine. By the way, one Audi model in the test can consume less than six liters per XNUMX kilometers - a solid achievement for a richly equipped car with a raised body and dual transmission.

What about the Range Rover? Forced to carry almost 200 kg more weight on its steel frame, it is doomed to lag behind its nimble competitors. Yes, the steering system tries to provide better maneuverability, but it's not as precise, so the Evoque's front axle starts to slip much earlier when cornering.

Weak links

Even the comfort isn't entirely convincing - the springy dampers filter out short bumps, but on longer waves on the road they allow for distinctly vertical body movements. A slightly jaded 2,2-litre diesel and exhausting brake action under sustained load is another reason why Evoque drivers prefer a relaxed driving style and dream of the big world while enjoying the feel of a rugged mobile fortress. However, with standard off-road modes, the Range gives the illusion of adventure in long corners, while the Q3 and X1 initially only see their dual drivetrains as a means of better winter traction.

All in all, Prestige version hardware keeps the promise of its name. While brochures from German competitors insist on mentioning things like standard seats, seat belts and even grilles, Range Rover leaves almost unfulfilled desires by offering a digital stereo, 19-inch wheels and xenon headlights.

However, that doesn't change the fact that the expensive Evoque, even without its luxurious equipment, is forced to take third place behind the impulsive X1 and the polished Q3. After all, the new pleasant acquaintances that you will experience with its help are not included in the final rating.

text: Dirk Gulde

a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert

Evaluation

1. Audi Q3 2.0 TDI quattro - 514 points

The economical Q3 delivers remarkable levels of comfort with very few compromises in terms of handling. However, the trunk was disappointing.

2. BMW X1 xDrive 20d - 491 points

The X1 takes corners with enthusiasm like a compact sports car and impresses with its practical interior. However, lower comfort and quality scores lead to lagging behind.

3. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 - 449 points.

Despite not moving as well as it looks, the Evoque is gaining sympathy. However, its brakes need some work.

technical details

1. Audi Q3 2.0 TDI quattro - 514 points	2. BMW X1 xDrive 20d - 491 points	3. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 - 449 points.
Working volume	-	-	-
Power	177 k.s. at 4200 rpm	177 k.s. at 4000 rpm	190 k.s. at 3500 rpm
Maximum torque	-	-	-
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	7,7 with	8,7 with	9,2 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	37 m	37 m	41 m
full speed	212 km / h	213 km / h	195 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	7,9 l	8,2 l	9,6 l
Base Price	71 241 levov	67 240 levov	94 000 levov

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