WANT to save money on a new Audi and feel more comfortably off into the bargain? Here's how to cut the bill by the price of a very decent family holiday.

First, ignore the blandishments of an upgrade to what Audi calls its S line trim; a set of mostly cosmetic changes to make the car look a bit more butch.

The SE level will do nicely, thank you, and in the case of the smallish SUV on test, also save you £2,750.

You will then end up with a car that is better suited to the dreadful state of British roads, whose potholes and ridges make a typically smooth German surface look as though an army of elves have polished it smooth just before you arrived.

The S line tag brings more than cosmetic changes and includes lowered and stiffened suspension that most Audi buyers opt for and might even think the resulting hard ride is all part of the 'sporty' experience promised by the car's looks.

In the case of this car, there's a further saving to be had (in both monetary and comfort terms) by ditching the big 19-inch alloy wheels that look good but do nothing at all for the ride. That's another £595 to the good.

The current Q3 range stretches from £23,870 for a model with 1.4-litre petrol power, manual gears and two-wheel drive to the £34,595 diesel with automatic gears and posh S line Plus trim. A £43,000 RS Q3 model tops the lot, with 310 horsepower and Porsche-bashing potential.

All Q3s apart from the entry-level models have permanent four-wheel drive and the higher powered diesels, like the car tested here have an automatic gearbox as standard.

They also have the intelligent application of conventional technology under their aluminium bonnet (like the alloy rear hatch, a weight saving measure), which gains performance and economy without adding complications like an electric motor.

It means the relatively heavy Q3 can be both nippy and decently frugal. I managed 43mpg without restraining my right foot. An engine that cuts out at rest (and promptly restarts when you press the accelerator) probably helped a bit.

Having saved a modest fortune by down-speccing 'my' Q3 I'm now going to put some cash back into the car, with a useful and clear £1,495 satellite navigation system, heated front seats for £425 and £90 for Audi hill-hold assist, which keeps the car stationary on a slope until you press the accelerator and drive off. Very useful.

But what of the car sitting under all this gadgetry? It's actually a likeable way of getting around with minimum fuss; sitting high for fine visibility in a car that feels good to simply sit it, in the typical Audi manner.

Some other car makers might be putting up a fight in the interior ambiance battle but nobody has it as right as Audi across such a wide range of models.

To make the Q3 feel even more special, there's always fine Nappa leather at £795 to make every new passenger remark 'this is nice.' And it is, with proper leather smells into the bargain.

Even without the cow hide, this roomy and practical machine has a touch of class that's more than skin deep.