◾Small SUV crossover introduced last fall remains in high demand

◾New car buyers in J.D. Power study of first 90 ownership days gave Q3 high marks

◾The smallest in the Audi SUV line-up, Q3 starts at $33,425

June 18, 2015 | HERNDON, VA -- The new Audi Q3 crossover introduced last fall remains in short supply in the U.S. market partly because it's in great demand. And in its 2015 Initial Quality Study that was released on Wednesday, J.D. Power & Associates explained part of the reason: Owners of the all-new compact CUV give it segment-leading scores for quality and reliability.

In fact, Q3 ranked No. 1 in the Small Premium SUV category of the new Power study, which compiles owners' evaluations of the quality of their vehicles within the first 90 days of ownership. That kind of showing for an all-new vehicle is an industry rarity, given the complexity of launching any new model.

Given that the Q3 was the brand's entry into the hottest segment in the U.S. premium-vehicle market, and one where competitors also have been trying to establish themselves, Audi paid special attention to this introduction. The four rings needed to excel with its first crossover in the compact segment, which is sized below the mid-size Q5 and the full-size Q7 in the Audi lineup.

Starting prices for the Audi Q3 in the United States are $33,425, including destination. Both trim levels of the vehicle share the 200-horsepower Audi TSI 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and quattro four-wheel drive is available.