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| The Q3 is the most underrated crossover with understated lines that declare its driver to be old money, rather than a footballer's wife. |
DESIGNING a chunky SUV with
a coupé roof line is like dressing a long-legged model in high heels and camo
pants … but as Mrs Beckham proves, the resulting crossover look is one the
ladies like a lot.
Which is why most
manufacturers now offer at least one crossover, with Hyundai’s sales showing
they got the look exactly right with their ix35, and BMW sales showing their
in-your-face X6 did not.
In this mix, the Evoque has
won the most awards and — as we show here — it can go bush too.
For despite Mrs Beckham
agreeing to add a bit of beading to tart up the Evoque’s good looks, it remains
a true Landy at heart. With Land Rover’s Terrain Response it can wade
through half a metre of mucky water and overcome serious axle benders with one
wheel in the air … all with one of the driver’s hands tied behind his
back.
Compared to the
Evoque, the Audi’s Q3 is arguably the most underrated of the bunch of cross overs on sale today. Yet it offers more power from the same sized engine, costs a whack of money less and has the feel of old money.
Next to to the footballer's wife styling of the Evoque, the Q3 also proclaims its driver is all grown up now, but here’s the
secret: the optional 465-Watt, 14-speaker BOSE sound system (for R5 400) will
have you bum-dancing in the seats like a teen.
Don't waste your money on Audi's overpriced optional MMI Navigation, however. It is already out of date, and costs R22 200. Rather download google maps, which is free and works on all smart phones - even those that are squeezed into ridiculously tiny casings by a Canadian company that named itself after a rather disgusting act practised mostly by very drunk gay lovers, viz: to RIM.
How they stack up (Green is the better one ...duh)
Range Rover Evoque SD4
Auto 4WD
R609
700
1999 cc petrol
140
kW at 3500 rpm
420 at 1750 rpm
58
litres
6-speed automatic with
paddle shifts
0-100
km/h in 8,5 seconds (claimed)
Audi Q3 FSI quattro
R467
000
1984 cc petrol
155 kW from 5000-6200 rpm
300 Nm from 1800 - 4900 rpm
64
litres
7-speed S tronic
dual-clutch
0-100
in 6,9 seconds (claimed)
