When testing a new car, one aim is to unearth an “Ah, now I get it,” feeling. The epiphany. When the vehicle’s in its correct environment and doing as its designers intended. And with a bit of luck, it’s doing it well, too.
For me, the new third-generation Audi Q3 started winning on a dark, drizzly evening, stuck in traffic with its thermometer showing 8.0 degrees C. But with Audi’s reassuring rings on an unfussy wheel, subtle ambient lighting, sculpted twin-screen dash panel and heated leather-appointed seat, it felt utterly fit for purpose. Solid, cosseting and comfy.
That’s a relief, really, as up to that evening – which felt very winter-in-Munich-like – I was struggling to make a compelling case for this new take on a strong-selling small SUV. It was fine, but it hardly blowing my skirt up.
The fresh-for-2026 Q3’s exterior styling looks slightly sharper and more mature than the generation it replaces, but the design’s hardly taken a huge leap forward. The cabin, too, has been substantially remodelled, with Audi introducing its new MMI media interface system and by decluttering the centre console.
But in the clear light of day, I’d spotted some interior missteps not tallying with the premium price asked: from $61,600 before on-roads an entry-level Q3, rising to a chunky $84,400 plus charges for the tree-topping 195kW quattro version.
Then there’s the base-spec engine. The range kicks off with a mild-hybrid 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol – borrowed from the A3 hatch/sedan – and mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
Figures are a rather wanting 110kW and 250Nm sent only through the front wheels, with 0-100km/h registering in a pedestrian 9.1 seconds. Positively, it sips gently, with quoted combined fuel use a decent 5.8L/100km.
This powertrain was fitted to our primary test car: the wagon-back SUV 110kW Launch Edition with some choice kit, costing $67,000 before charges. Complimentary metallic paint is one benefit, and ours was handsomely coated in Sage green. Worth considering, if you’re in the market and favour good taste.
It’s around an extra $3000 to move to coupe-like Sportback SUV versions, while there are two further engine choices: 150kW (from $70,200) or 195kW (from $81,900) versions of Audi’s 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrols, also with seven-speed dual clutches. Importantly, these higher output models (with 320Nm and 400Nm respectively) bring quattro all-wheel drive.
Sadly, no confirmation of a plug-in hybrid variant, as seen in big brother Q5. But this Q3 e-Hybrid looks likely to soon join the Aussie line-up with an electric range up to 119km, trumping key plug-in rivals the BMW X1 (78-86km) and Mercedes-Benz GLA (65km).
On our first date, the new Q3 was keen to show its grown-up side. It’s a smidge longer than before, now over 4.5 metres, so flirts with medium SUV territory. That said, it still looks a whack smaller than the size-up Q5.
Wheel arches are marginally more pumped out, the black grille’s a sizeable unit (the black exterior package comes with Launch Editions), but lighting makes the biggest future-push. Skinny, attractive LEDs feature front and rear; a full-width light strip for the rump looks neat, and sits below the theatre of red illuminated Audi rings.
As Chinese products increasingly fill our roads, Audi’s ensuring you can tell this driver’s remained a German luxo loyalist.
How does the Q3 110kW drive?
A solid reason to fork out an extra $5400 on the Launch Edition of our entry-level 110kW is the included adaptive damping. We couldn’t test one without this setup, but with its variable suspension the SUV returns a supple, controlled effort more in line with larger SUVs.
A minor grumble would be some low speed stiffness, even in Comfort mode, but I could put some of this down to skinny tyres over the Launch’s 19-inch Audi Sport alloys.
Push on and at speed it well soaks up hits if you ignore the Sport setting, and it’s a talented thing to haul into a corner, sitting flat and gripping well. In fact, its front-wheel drive and lower kerb weight gives a dash more feel and playfulness than a quattro variant, without ever being exactly fun. Brakes also felt a big grabby at times.
But there’s a level of maturity to this Q3’s drive. Acoustic glazing and general build quality means it’s superbly quiet, while the little 1.5-litre, despite its size, feels reassuringly refined and the gear shifts always tidy.
It’s at its best on city duties. Turbo torque means it’ll squirt around town with some pep, but on the open road our Q3 110kW prefers to take its time.
It soon runs out of guts, and gets a bit grumbly if you floor it. There’s a sound actuator to bring more engine note into the cabin, but it’s not that welcome when it’s struggling for puff.
As we’re increasingly finding, car companies are reducing the annoying intrusiveness of its driver assist kit. The Q3 proved impressively non-nannying, while only gently massaging back into lane if white lines were breached. Bravo, Audi.
Briefly sampling the 150kW quattro, it absolutely has a more sporting bent. There’s proper surge to the power delivery, plus more muscle and measure given that the two-litre turbocharged engine piles on an assertive 320Nm.
It’s quicker by the stopwatch, too, with its 7.1sec 0-100km/h sprint far more sprightly than that of the entry 1.5 powertrain.
But the trade-off of the added performance – and all-paw quattro drive – of the 150kW format is its 7.3L/100km thirst, which quickly climbs higher once you venture through the urban crawl.
Keener drivers will want to move up the range, but if we consider the bulk of Q3 shoppers, I’ll make a case for the 110kW’s defence. Not least if I return to that chilly Canberra night where the little 1.5L gently supped unleaded while I warmed in its classily-lit, neatly arranged cabin. If that’s your typical commute, the base car will tick your boxes.
The lusty flagship 195kW/400Nm combination certainly appears handy on paper, promising 5.7sec for the sprint to triple figures. We’ve yet to sample this trim, though we look forward to getting the hottest version through the Chasing Cars garage soon.
How is the Q3 110kW’s interior?
Inside, the new sweeping, curved MMI impresses with its 12.8-inch infotainment. It’s fast and intuitive to navigate, while wireless smartphone mirroring pops up quickly and reliably. The screen looks decent quality, but is let down by the reversing camera. When Chinese cars costing half this price better Audi’s picture, it seems an easily solved oversight.
An 11.9-inch driver display covers vitals in your eye-shot, but is more letterbox shaped rather than the full-fat virtual cockpit we’ve come to love in Audis across the years.
The centre console’s been decluttered as the chunky gear shifter’s gone, replaced by a stalk gear selector. Indicators and wipers are on a rectangular block on the left side of the steering wheel, plus a neat small wheel for setting wiper speed. It’s all a bit clunky at first, but once used to it, works in a solid and pleasing way.
There’s a proper knob for volume and song skipping, and real buttons to choose drive modes, disable auto stop-start and turn off some driver assist. Steering wheel buttons are also of the press-y rather than swipey kind. All this is good.
Inevitably, climate control has moved to the big centre screen. Temperature control, thankfully, is permanently displayed at the base, but I always die a little inside when presented with the screen button for a ‘climate menu’. Here we must dive to adjust fan speed. For reference, Audi: wine menus and dessert menus are good; climate menus are bad.
The roomy front cabin presents classily enough, although piano black feels old hat and remains a smudge-fest. The Launch Edition’s partial leather trim isn’t overly spongy, supple or screaming ‘premium’.
Low-down plastics feel a bit Volkswagen, our glove box lid didn’t perfectly align, and some dash fabric was unevenly tucked into our tester’s optional silver beige whitewood dash inlay. I’m being picky, but it’s not unreasonable to have high expectations of an Audi, even if the entry-grade Q3 sits at the lesser end of its portfolio.
Prestige points include power and heat to the front chairs, three-zone climate control, leather steering wheel with shift paddles (they feel great), a 260-watt sound system, inductive phone charging with adaptive cooling, and that sub-par camera is at least a 360-degree job.
Hop in the back seats and the new Q3 feels roomy enough for a family car. At 180 centimetres I had ample head and leg room behind the front seats, although seat bases are flat and don’t offer much under-thigh support.
Sportback versions don’t rob you of much headroom; there’s just slightly less side visibility. All get rear air vent control and a couple of USB-C ports, while seats handily slide forward for boot versatility.
Tap the auto tailgate and said boot space in both body shapes is quite long but not especially deep, although the floor can be lowered to a second tier.
At 488L, cargo space is about average for class, although you add a bit more with the rear bench slid forward.
What are the Q3 110kW’s ownership costs?
The Q3 is covered by Audi Australia’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. An Advantage Package is offered extending this out a further two years for new cars (plus a very conditional added two years is available for ‘pre-owned’ vehicles through Audi’s Approved Plus program).
A five-year servicing plan costs $3330, with servicing intervals required every 12 months or 15,000kms.
Budget Direct told us the median annual premium purchased for the first time between 1/4/25 and 1/4/26 to comprehensively insure a new Audi Q3 was $1405. Individual circumstances and policy terms may vary.
Of course, everybody’s situation is different, and the premium will vary according to make and model, and other things insurers take into account, such as your postcode, driving history, who drives the car, where you garage the car and more.
Please quote for yourself. Subject to meeting underwriting criteria. Insurance issued by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited. See PDS & TMD at budgetdirect.com.au.
The honest verdict
The Q3 is Audi Australia’s best-seller, so the importer is likely to be pleased the formula’s not been much tampered with here. The new generation hardly moves the game on, but instead locks in its place as a worthy foil to an X1, GLA or Volvo XC40.
Those four interlocked rings have enduring cachet, but Audi has some friendly fire challenges. From under $50K, the Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0L AWD R-Line and Cupra Ateca V in-house rivals look solid good value next to Q3s with prices starting with a ‘six’.
The new Q3’s engine, body style and trim level range add the luxury of choice, and it remains a refined, attractive and smartly equipped small SUV, even if cabin elements don’t reflect the premiumness of Audi’s asking price.