2025 Audi Q3 review
The Q3 is Audi’s entry-level crossover SUV. It’s a subcompact aimed at luxury rivals like the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA as well as mainstream competitors such as the Mazda CX-3 and Buick Envista. The Q3 rides on a front-wheel-drive platform but only comes with all-wheel drive. It has turbocharged four-cylinder power, functional space for five people, and a small but useful cargo hold. Audi outfits the Q3 with effective technology, too, including a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster, a central infotainment touchscreen, and driver-assist tech that includes automatic parking assistance, lane-keeping assistance, and a surround-view camera system. The third-generation Q3 is set to debut for the 2026 model year.
Explore the evolution of the Audi Q3
Get our expert take on used Audi Q3 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Second generation Audi Q3
Audi modernized the second-generation Q3 and made it larger: The Q3 is about 4 inches longer than the first-generation model and a little bigger in other dimensions as well, resulting in more passenger and cargo space.
Under the hood, it features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offered in multiple configurations. Initially, the 2.0-liter produced 228 horsepower, but Audi added a 184-horsepower version of this engine for the 2021 model year (it was discontinued starting in 2025). The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive is standard.
Inside, the instrument cluster is digital, known as the Audi Virtual Cockpit. It can be had in sizes of 10.25 or 12.3 inches. The infotainment system has either an 8.8-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ debuted with this generation in 2019.
Cargo space continues at about 48 cubic feet behind the first row, but rear legroom is improved thanks to the longer wheelbase.
This generation Q3 also offers more driver-assist technology, including automatic emergency braking, automatic parking assistance, a surround-view camera system, and lane-keeping assistance.
Model highlights
New platform with larger body and more interior space
Front-wheel drive dropped
More power for the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Less powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder offered in 2021-2024
Eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the six-speed automatic
Digital instrument cluster available in two sizes
Infotainment touchscreen available in two sizes
First generation Audi Q3
Audi introduced its smallest SUV yet for the 2015 model year with the new Q3 crossover SUV. Designed to take on the likes of the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, it was small in stature but still offered the premium look of larger Audi crossovers.
Built on a front-wheel-drive architecture, the first-gen Q3 offered all-wheel drive as an option. The lone powertrain was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Q3’s small size made for tight rear legroom and limited cargo space, though still useful at 48.2 cubic feet behind the front row. The infotainment system also trickled down from larger vehicles. It featured a seven-inch display screen controlled by the Audi MMI® rotating dial.
Initially, driver-assist features were limited. Even a rearview camera was optional, as was blind-spot monitoring. The rearview camera and parking sensors became standard for the 2016 model year, but automatic emergency braking was never offered for the first-generation Q3.
Model highlights
Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
Front- or all-wheel drive
Scaled-down styling from other Audi crossover SUVs
Audi MMI® infotainment system with seven-inch display screen
No automatic emergency braking for this generation
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2019 - present
2025 Audi Q3
2024 Audi Q3
Highlights
Adaptive cruise control and lane centering became standard
Convenience package added wireless charging and a universal garage door opener
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2023 Audi Q3
Highlights
Full LED headlights became standard
New 19-inch and 20-inch wheel designs
Available wireless phone charger replaced previous “phone box” with signal booster
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2022 Audi Q3
Highlights
New infotainment software
Additional driver-assist features became standard
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2021 Audi Q3
Highlights
Top Prestige trim replaced by option packages
Some previously available features became standard
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2020 Audi Q3
2019 Audi Q3
Highlights
New platform, larger size, and more interior room
New interior and exterior design with improved ergonomics and upgraded technology
More power for the turbocharged four-cylinder engine
Eight-speed automatic replaced six-speed
Front-wheel drive dropped; all-wheel drive standard
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Previous generation from 2015 - 2018
2018 Audi Q3
Highlights
New features on base Premium included heated front seats and a restyled front bumper
Prestige trim dropped and its features became stand-alone options or parts of options packages
Convenience package added a power liftgate and an auto-dimming rearview mirror
Sport Plus package newly available for Premium Plus trim
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2017 Audi Q3
2016 Audi Q3
Highlights
Mild front-end styling refresh
New standard features included front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera
Prestige trim added standard 19-inch wheels, full LED headlights, dynamic rear turn signals, and sporty S Line styling cues
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2015 Audi Q3
Highlights
Launched to enter the growing subcompact SUV market
Available with front- or all-wheel drive
Single turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
Six-speed automatic transmission
Seven-inch display screen
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Audi Q3 an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Audi Q3 13th out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Audi Q3 is $625, compared to an average of $599 for Luxury Compact SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Audi Q3 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.7 times per year, compared to an average of 1.2 times for Luxury Compact SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 10% for the Audi Q3, compared to an average of 10% for Luxury Compact SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Kirk Bell has been an automotive journalist since 2001, doing stints at Motor Authority, MSN Autos, and Consumer Guide. He's currently a freelance journalist with an interest in luxury and performance cars.
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