[Otto]

All-in-all the 2015 Audi Q3 is getting praised by reviewers and owners alike. It isn't a perfect vehicle though. One issue that I have read about in multiple reviews is the steering column not being very comfortable for taller drivers. here is what some of the reviews I have been reading are saying.

One area that is a bit annoying is the angle of the steering wheel, which is quite awkward for taller drivers, and may take a lot of seat adjustment to feel comfortable.

The tilt/telescoping steering column wouldn't tilt low enough for our comfort...

At 6 feet tall, I would have liked more legroom in the driver's seat...

This seems to be the one nagging complaint that many drivers have of the Audi Q3. As a tall person myself (6'1") I am nervous that the vehicle will be uncomfortable to sit in because of the steering wheel/column issue.

I don't think that this is a huge issue, or a deal breaker, but it is something that I will factor into my decision as to whether or not I buy.

Can anyone comment on how they find the steering wheel and how the steering column adjusts?

I'm also curious if the facelift that is supposed to be debuting in December may try to fix this issue. I may be in luck waiting till after Christmas and getting the face-lifted model which may have tweaked this a bit so its not an issue anymore.

 

[Quatto]

Yup, same complaints I have heard from a number of people who have had the chance to see them in person.

 

[rnlabas]

I'm also curious if the facelift that is supposed to be debuting in December may try to fix this issue. I may be in luck waiting till after Christmas and getting the face-lifted model which may have tweaked this a bit so its not an issue anymore.

I'm surprised this still has legs - I think we've debunked this bad rumor well enough by now, with only one rather nebulous source and not backed up by any number of other cognitive resources thereafter. The Q3 will indeed get its mid-cycle facelift, but we shouldn't be hopeful for it until this time in 2015...
Yet... I've been wrong before -

Anyway, I'm 6-1, 240+, and in my 100 or so miles of driving the Q3, found both no problems with a responsive driving position, nor an uncomfortable one. I will add that this was in two cars both with sport seats. But to be fair, I'm also a well experienced Audi owner (see garage) and familiar with the cars enough to know how to find my sweet spot. So I'm not worrying about it at all.

As y'all know by now, I will be changing the steering wheel mostly for self-gratifying reasons, and I am also on the hunt for a larger rearview mirror out of the A/Q5 since the one coming in the Q3 is of the I'm-too-tiny-for-my-view mold of the A3/TT. Plus it's baby oval shape hardly covers the back seat, never mind the rear window or a good shot out the back...

 

[Quatto]

Do keep us posted on what that steering wheel change is like, with the experience you have with audi's and what i have observed about you, this should be good

 

[derek8819]

The wheel is at a strange angle now that I have mine in hand, but it seems to be easy to adjust to with time and seat positioning. I had no problems getting the sport seats to a comfortable position. I can see what they are saying, but it is a minor gripe.

 

[boblepp]

snip....
Can anyone comment on how they find the steering wheel and how the steering column adjusts?

I'm also curious if the facelift that is supposed to be debuting in December may try to fix this issue. I may be in luck waiting till after Christmas and getting the face-lifted model which may have tweaked this a bit so its not an issue anymore.

I just went out to the garage (2015 Canada) with a measuring tape. The column moves 1.75 inches fore and aft and 1.5 inches up and down, not big numbers. But the seat moves up and down quite a bit as well.

I am 5 foot 9.5 inches and adjusting the seat full aft takes my foot well off the gas pedal. Assuming the 3.5 inch longer body you have is split evenly above and below the waist you should have no issues. I felt I could grow 3.5 inches and still be quite comfortable. My arms are fully extended straight out at full aft seating and I could tilt the seat back even more. You'll be fine.

The light cosmetic upgrade I saw pictured would not lead me to believe they can find any more room behind the wheel. It would be odd to have a new model so soon after first arrivals, but what do I know?

 

[rnlabas]

I don't think this is an issue that Audi will address with the facelift and perhaps not even at all. They do their own actuarial human engineering and for this vehicle class figure they already have it as right as they want to. As I noted above, I'm well outside their 85th percentile and have NO issue finding a comfortable steering/seating position ...

 

[karenhenry04]

Its obvious.

Hi,

I think a car becomes perfect after several reviews. Q3 having such an issue is really disgusting as it has AUDI behind it.

But still, I think it is not something which should be made hype of. Company must be working on this.

Keep us updated.

Regards

 

[Quatto]

Yup, I hope its something audi is actively working on, hopefully we hear something about the issue being addressed for the next model year.

 

[MPBQ3]

I'm 5'8 and the Mrs. is 5"6.

So there were no issues for us during the test drive.

 

[karenhenry04]

I am 5'9 and its perfect for me.. I don't think this can be an issue for someone.