Audi's new high-performance compact SUV has been given the best residual value in its sector according to CAP.

But it is still forecast to lose more than £20,000 of its original cost over three years/60,000 miles, and its fuel consimption of 32.1mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 206g/km would rule it out of appearing on most fleet choice lists.

By comparison, the admittedly much less rapid Volvo XC60 D5 loses around £24,000 over the same period, but benefits from fuel consumption of 53.3mpg on the combined cycle.

The residual value prediction positions the 310hp RS Q3 ahead of not only every other SUV currently available on the UK market, but every car currently rated by CAP Monitor with the exception of the Cayman sports car produced by Volkswagen Group sister company Porsche.

The exceptional residual value percentage for the 2.5-litre turbo-charged RS Q3 could be explained in part by the expected low volume of the car, and the fact that three years from now, demand for three-year-old examples on the used market will be very high.

Head of sales Paul Sansom said: "All Audi models are characterised by strong residual values, but the RS Q3 sets a particularly high benchmark. This prediction not only reflects the perceived quality, reliability and desirability of the Q3 range, but also the respect the RS badge commands, particularly among UK buyers. These factors, combined with the inherent strength of the Audi brand, make the Q3 flagship one of the most compelling propositions not only in SUV terms but in the UK performance car market as a whole."

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