Audi Q3

Name: 2026 Audi Q3
Brand: Audi

CR MPG:

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

The Q3 is a pleasant SUV that packs luxury, style, and practicality into a small package. It successfully melds traditional Audi qualities such as meticulous, yet understated interior design, handling agility, and a solid feel. As such, it ranks high among its bantam luxury SUV peers.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Audi Q3

vs. Similar Cars

Acura ADX

Alfa Romeo Tonale

BMW X1

BMW X2

Cadillac XT4

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Basic

3 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test

Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Basic

3 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test

Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Basic

3 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test

Poor or Marginal ratings in IIHS front crash prevention: pedestrian test
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Didn't earn Good or Acceptable rating, or untested, in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Didn't earn Good rating, or untested, in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Luxury entry-level SUVs Ratings

2026 Audi Q3

$43,700

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Acura ADX

$35,000 - $44,400

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale

$36,995 - $41,495

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW X1

$42,800 - $51,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 BMW X2

$44,300 - $53,400

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Cadillac XT4

$40,795 - $44,095

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Lexus UX

$36,955 - $46,945

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA

$41,500 - $58,550

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Mini Cooper Countryman

$34,900 - $46,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Volvo XC40

$39,900 - $51,900

CR MPG

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Luxury entry-level SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

2-liter 4 turbo (255 hp)

7-speed sequential

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 4 years/50,000 miles
Corrosion 12 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/unlimited miles
Maintenance 3 years/30,000 miles

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2019-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned Q3 is a pleasant SUV that packs luxury and practicality into a small package. Unlike the previous generation, the new touchscreen infotainment system is easier to use and the car takes regular fuel. Power comes from a turbocharged 228-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain supplies prompt acceleration but engine sound is a bit raspy. All-wheel drive is standard. Handling is responsive and confidence inspiring. The ride is firm yet comfortable. Fit and finish is very good and the seats are supportive. The rear seat can slide fore-aft and is roomy. Advanced safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Other driver assist features such as blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic warning are available. For 2021, a top-view camera, helpful in parking maneuvers, became optional. Updates for 2022 include standard blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning. Adaptive cruise control became standard in 2024.

2015-2018

2015 Redesign Year

Slotted below the Q5, the Q3 competes with the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. Overall it manages to deliver a similarly premium driving experience as in the Q5 but in a 10-inch shorter package. The energetic 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is mated to a conventional six-speed automatic, and returned 22 mpg overall in our tests. This is a quiet SUV with a firm, comfortable ride and responsive handling. The cabin shows thoughtful attention to detail. Demerits include the tight quarters and controls that take some getting used to.