The Audi Q3 only just got here a year ago, and already for 2016 the model is getting are fresh. 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 tail-lamps, and redesigned wheels.

There's a new, chrome-trimmed grille that makes much more of a statement than before - which will be rolled out to future Q-cars as well, says Audi - new bumpers at both ends and new light clusters all round. For the first time on a Q3 you can now get full LED headlights, together with 'dynamic'LED rear indicators that sweep sequentially outwards, making them very difficult to ignore.

But the important stuff is under the bonnet, with a new 1.4-litre turbopetrol entry-level engine (front-wheel drive only, Audi is realistic about what its SUVs are used for) rated at 110kW and 250Nm. It'll be available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed S tronic transmission.

The existing two-litre petrol and diesel engines have been updated for more power and less emissions; the 2.0T FSI turbopetrol is now good for a claimed 132kW and 320Nm, delivered through an Stronic 'box and quattro all-wheel drive.The 2.0 TDI turbodiesel is now rated at 135kW and 380Nm; it's coming in July 2015, propelled by an S tronic 'box and quattro all-wheel drive, and will be followed in 2016 by front-wheel-drive-only 110kW 2.0 TDI, also with S tronic transmission.

* RS Q3
The flagship's 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol power plant gets a 22kW boost - up to 250kW and 450Nm - taking it from standstill to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and onto an electronically limited 250km/h.

Its seven-speed S tronic transmission has been tweaked for quicker shifts, with its lower gears closer together for better acceleration and a longer top gear for more economical cruising.

It also gets RS exhaust plumbing with a switchable flap so you can enjoy that five-cylinder song, where appropriate, without inflicting it on your neighbours late at night.

There are distinctive new bumpers front and rear, new instruments with red needles on grey dials and a special RS menu for the driver information panel with lap timer and displays for oil temperature and boost pressure.

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.)

The Prestige trim adds navigation, Audi connect apps with an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, a14-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.

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, 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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