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The Audi Q3 only just got here a year ago, and already for 2016 the model is getting a refresh. Unfortunately, that refresh also brings a price increase of $ 1200. In fairness, though, that additional scratch does buy more standard kit—mainly front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera—along with the new front fascia, restyled taillamps, and redesigned wheels.
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The 2016 Q3 base price is $ 34,625 with destination, but for most buyers the starting number will be $ 36,725, since that’s the Q3 with Quattro all-wheel drive. Those figures are for the Premium Plus model, which comes standard with xenon headlamps, heated 12-way leather power seats, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo. (The latter was the subject of a recent class-action lawsuit for excessive oil consumption. Hopefully, that issue has been addressed.)
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The Prestige trim adds navigation, Audi connect apps with an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, a 14-speaker Bose stereo, blind-spot monitoring, and a power liftgate. The front-wheel-drive version starts at $ 39,525 while Quattro raises the bite to $ 41,625. LED headlamps with sequential rear turn signals (like the Ford Mustang’s), a sport package with selectable driving modes, and an S line body kit are extra-cost options.
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- Instrumented Test: 2015 Audi Q3 2.0T Quattro
- Why the 2016 Audi RS Q3 is Awesome—Even If We Won’t Get It in the U.S.
- 2016 Audi Q3 Debuts: Freshened to Take on Fresh Competition
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The best reason to skip the 2015 Q3 in favor of the new one? The 2016 gets honest-to-God exterior colors including a red, two blues (including Hainan Blue in the car pictured above), and—because there aren’t enough silver cars on the road—another silver. Previously, Audi only offered seven incredibly dull shades of black, gray, and white.
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