New 2026 Audi Q3 Review

Does this small Audi feel like a big premium Audi?

Exterior – Front

So, starting with the design of the Audi Q3 and over the past few years the previous generation Q3 was never as loved as other Audi’s as it never received a facelift so when the new Q3 was released it was a huge leap ahead. To start with the Q3 takes a lot of inspiration from the new Q5 with its big but wide octagonal grill with this big mesh pattern which gives the Q3 a road presence. The upper light parts are the customisable LED Daytime running lights. This is becoming more common on Audi’s, and it does make them more unique. The main headlight units are hidden in these very large side vents which are almost too big for the car but again this is becoming more common on Audi’s at the moment. Overall though the design isn’t too bad and is liveable.

Exterior – Side

Moving round to the side of the new Q3 and there isn’t really much to talk about. We do get a few creases around the wheel arches and along the sills, but we get this smooth and curvy body which I think suits this car well. We also get a little floating roof at the back which gives this car a sporty look and it is nice to see some proper door handles too. the wheel designs are also typical Audi but suit the car well.

Exterior – Rear

Moving round to the back of the Q3 and we get a design that is very reminiscent of the latest A6. This means we get this big light bar that also turns into the indicators, and this is connected with a black lower wing. The upper part isn’t connected to the main taillight unit, but it has been designed to look like it does. This is customisable just like the LED Daytime Running Lights and it gives this car a modern look. The Audi logo also lights up just like other Audi’s too, so this little Audi doesn’t miss out.  The lower bumper borrows its design elements from the A3 Facelift with this big fake mesh at the back. I am ok with this as it does give it a bit more of an aggressive design and it isnt as bad as the fake exhausts, but it doesn’t have a purpose either. We do get a black lower splitter though. Right, lets have a look at what battery and motor options you can have with the new Audi Q3.

Car and engine specs and price

So, for the Audi Q3 you can have it with either petrol engines, plug in hybrid engines or even diesel still which is getting rarer these days. Lets start with the petrol engines first. The first petrol engine uses the usual 1.5 litre turbo from the Volkswagen Group that we know of. This has 148 bhp and it can do 0-62 in 9.1 seconds which isn’t too bad. This is mated to a 7 speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox, and it powers the front wheels. The next options is a 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine which has 202 bhp and this can do 0-62 in 7.1 seconds. Again, this is mated to a 7 speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox but this time it sends its power to all 4-wheel using the Quattro system. The final petrol version uses the same 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine as the previous model, but the power has been increased to 262 bhp and this has reduced the 0-62 time down to 5.7 seconds which isn’t too bad. Power goes through the 7 Speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox to all 4 wheels using the Quattro system. Right, lets have a look at the plug-in hybrid options and this uses the 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine and an electric motor giving this car a 270 bhp. this has a 25.7 kWh battery pack which is decent in size and give the Q3 70-mile electric only range which will mean that most people will drive it in electric only mode until they do a longer journey to go on holiday for example. The power is sent through a 6 Speed S-Tronic gearbox to the front wheels. Finally lets have a look at the diesel model and this uses a 2.0 litre turbo unit with 148 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 9.2 seconds and sends its power to a 7 speed S-Tronic Automatic gearbox to the front wheels. The price of the new Audi Q3 starts at £38,300 which is a decent price with what you are getting. Right, lets have a look and see what the interior is like.

Interior – Design

So, climbing inside the new Audi Q3 then and at first you would think you get a usual Audi interior but once you turn the car on you will notice that a few things aren’t the same as what they used to be. Lets start with the displays first. To start with we get the same style as the other Audi’s, but the infotainment system and Instrument cluster runs completely different software and personally whilst the software is easier and simpler to use it feels to me that it is missing some of the features that the main Audi Software has which is a bit of a shame really. I understand why it has been done like that because of the smaller screen size but the other software must have been able to fit. This is the same as the instrument cluster too. it just makes the car feel that bit cheaper. The overall dashboard design though I do really like with this metal finish and no passenger screen. It makes it feel like they have properly designed the dashboard. The centre console is minimalistic and only houses the parking brake switch, start stop button and volume control as well as storage which I am ok with. What I am not so ok with is how they have implemented the gear selector. Now its not like Renault and it is placed in a nice place but it’s just how Audi have designed it. So, if we look you can put it into the drive modes very easily but then if we move over to the indicator stalk and it doesn’t actually move. Only the end bit moves which is a bit odd and unique, but you could get used to it. What I don’t like though is that there are loads of buttons and knobs on this stalk for the lights and wipers and it gets very complicated to understand and this could be a deal breaker for some people. This is a big shame really as there was no need to change what was already a simple system. Anyway, we get the usual Audi steering wheel with the touch sensitive buttons which can be a bit fiddly to use but apart from that everything is normal Audi. The seats are supportive and comfy, and you could easily do a long journey in this car. it’s just a shame about the stalks. Anyway, lets have a look at the rear seats.

Practicality

So, climbing in the back of the Q3 and we get a decent amount of legroom and headroom for a 6-foot person. We also get some premium touches too and even some air vents, an arm rest and 2 USB C ports. Fitting 3 in the back will be a bit difficult because of the big hump in the floor but because the centre console sticks quite far back so people with long legs wont be comfy in the back.  Overall though it isn’t too bad. Right, lets have a look and see what the boot space is like.

Boot Size

Opening the boot to the new Audi Q3 and you are welcomed with a few boot options. To start with you can have the standard setup which gives the Q3 a 488-litre boot size, but you can slide the rear seat bench forward to give you 575 litres which is impressive. We don’t know the space with the seats down, but the seats do fold 40:20:40 and they also lay flat. This is a decent practical car.

Summary

So, in summary then what do I think of the new Audi Q3. Well, the design on the outside suits this car really well and it makes the car feel more expensive and premium. I also like the engine lineup and the fact that it has a diesel option, and I like the plug-in hybrid option too as that will do most people. Now the interior is very nice don’t get me wrong and most people wouldn’t worry about the infotainment system, but I do think that the indicator stalks would put some people off which is the biggest shame. They are not the easiest to use but nice you do get used to them and once everything is set up. then you should be ok. Practicality is decent though so really then I would recommend this car as it is a very good car but make sure that it suits you with the controls as that will be the deal breaker.

Exterior 5/5

Interior 2/5

Practicality 4/5

Total 11/15

Model	Audi Q3 S-Line
Engine	2.0l Turbo Petrol, 202bhp, 0-62 = 7.1 Seconds, 4 Wheel Drive
Transmission	7 Speed S-Tronic Automatic
Price	£44,800
On Sale	Now