Some cars whisper their presence; others roar onto the scene. The 2026 Audi Q3, now in its third generation, needs no such fanfare. It arrives, not as a stranger, but as a familiar face refined – a known quantity, evolved.
The newest iteration from the German automotive giant arrives to challenge the compact premium SUV hierarchy. Prepare for a head-to-head clash with rivals like BMW’s X1 and X2, Mercedes-Benz’s GLA, the Lexus UX, and Volvo’s XC40 in a battle for supremacy.
Audi serves up the Q3 in two distinct flavors: the classic SUV, boasting a traditional, upright silhouette, and the Sportback, a more daring coupe-SUV with a dramatically sloping roofline that lowers the rear by just over an inch. Choose your Q3 adventure.
Beneath the hood, a symphony of turbocharged four-cylinder engines awaits, offered in both spirited petrol and robust diesel flavors. For the eco-conscious driver, an ‘e-Hybrid’ plug-in system seamlessly blends electric power with combustion, delivering a guilt-free surge of performance.
Hold your breath, performance junkies. The roaring, five-cylinder RSQ3 may be singing its swan song. Rumors swirl that this generation marks the heartbreaking end of Audi’s magnificent 2.5-liter engine, with its final, glorious hurrah likely reserved for the current RS3 hyper hatch.
Beyond Glasgow, where city edges blur into emerald hills, we chased the horizon in Audi’s revamped Q3 range. Our compass pointed firmly at the Sportback e-Hybrid, a sleek silhouette against the rugged Scottish landscape.
How much does the Audi Q3 cost?
Audi Australia is keeping us on the edge of our seats! Pricing for the all-new Q3 is still under wraps, as the current generation bows out with a final run, its legacy still shimmering on the company website.
Anticipate a slight price bump for the upcoming Q3 compared to its predecessor. The outgoing SUV model ranged from $57,500 to $68,400 (before on-road costs) – think a little extra for the sleek Sportback, which previously commanded between $61,000 and $70,800, plus those on-road expenses.
Audi Australia faces a pivotal positioning act with the Q3 and its Sportback sibling, needing to land blows against the BMW X1 and X2. Currently, the X1, the more accessible of the two, commands a price range from $61,800 to $73,400 (excluding on-road costs), save for the exhilarating M35i outlier, which stretches the budget to $92,300 plus ORCs. The Q3’s success hinges on strategically undercutting or matching these figures, offering compelling value in the premium compact SUV segment.
While the snarling, five-cylinder RSQ3, a $96,000-plus beast, remains a fond memory, its replacement isn’t on the horizon. The new Q3, sans that iconic warble, is expected to land between $60,000 and $75,000. Fancy the Sportback’s sleek lines? Prepare to add a few thousand more, model-for-model, over the standard SUV version.
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
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What is the Audi Q3 like on the inside?
Audi’s renowned build quality shines through, a testament to their commitment to excellence. High-end materials grace nearly every surface, creating an aura of sophisticated luxury. However, the passenger fascia is marred by an unusual choice: a dimpled metal trim that sprawls across the scalloped area, a curious design decision that slightly detracts from the otherwise flawless interior.
It looks bizarre, even if it’s solid and cold to the touch, so we’d avoid it if we were you.
SUVs offer a welcome stretch in the second row for taller passengers. However, Sportback models trade that airy headroom for a sleeker silhouette. Backseat behemoths, beware: you might find your hairstyle grazing the ceiling.
Need more room? The [Car Model]’s got you covered. Both the SUV and Sportback versions boast a respectable 488 litres of boot space with all seats up – enough for a family getaway. But here’s the clever bit: the rear seats slide. Prioritize legroom for taller passengers, or slide them forward to create cavernous cargo space for those bulky shopping trips. It’s boot space that adapts toyourneeds.
The Sportback’s sleek, sloping roofline comes at a cost: cargo space. Folding down the rear seats reveals a capacity of 1289L, a step behind the SUV’s more boxy 1386L. But the real practicality pinch? The plug-in hybrid’s hefty 25.7kWh battery (19.7kWh usable) shrinks the Sportback e-Hybrid’s boot to a modest 375L, expanding to 1196L with the seats down. Compromises, even in the electrifying world of hybrids, must be made.
Our gripes with the interior don’t end with dodgy metallic trim and a relatively cramped boot, however.
Audi’s 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster? A missed opportunity. Instead of a vibrant cockpit experience, we’re met with a screen that feels…underwhelming. Imagine staring into a narrow, grey abyss – that’s the vibe. The graphics, sparsely populated, leave you wanting more, a far cry from Audi’s usual tech wizardry. It’s a functional display, sure, but where’s the pizzazz? The innovation? It feels like Audi played it safe, resulting in a digital canvas that’s more drab than dazzling.
Above the vibrant letterbox screen, a slab of clunky black plastic looms – a design faux pas that whispers ‘budget’ instead of ‘boulevard.’ And then there’s the control cluster conundrum. In a quest for symmetrical bliss around the steering column, Audi banished essential controls to a lone, looming extrusion. This leaves drivers fumbling for functions normally at their fingertips, sacrificing intuitive design at the altar of aesthetics.
Forget intuitive controls. This car throws tradition out the window, burying the indicator stalks in a baffling redesign. Prepare for a frustrating learning curve before you can confidently signal, wipe the windshield, or flash the high beams. The result? A clumsy cluster of switches, a visual blight almost as offensive as the pointless strip of plastic above the display.
| Dimensions | Audi Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid | | — | — | |Length| 4531mm | |Width| 1859mm | |Height| 1546-1581mm | |Wheelbase| 2678-2681mm | |Cargo capacity| 375L – 2nd row up 1196L – 2nd row down |
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Beneath the Audi Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid’s sleek silhouette lies a familiar heart: the Volkswagen Group’s proven plug-in hybrid system, shared across a fleet of its sibling brands.
| Specifications | Audi Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid | | — | — | |Engine| 1.5L 4cyl turbo-petrol | |Engine outputs| 130kW + 250Nm | |Electric motor outputs| 85kW + 330Nm | |System outputs| 200kW + 400Nm | |Battery| 19.7kWh li-ion – net | |Transmission| 6-speed dual-clutch | |Drive type| Front-wheel drive | |Weight| 1825kg – unladed | |0-100km/h (claimed)| 6.8s | |Fuel economy (claimed)| 1.7-2.2L/100km | |Electric driving range (PHEV)| 104-118km | |Fuel tank capacity| 45L | |CO2 emissions| 40-50g/km | |Emissions standard| Euro 6e-bis |
Forget what you know about the Q3. This new e-Hybrid isn’t just another model; it’s the undisputed heavyweight champion of the third generation, packing a punch that knocks the 195kW 2.0-litre TFSI quattro off its throne. Sure, the e-Hybrid’s carrying a bit more weight, meaning the all-wheel-drive TFSI might initially surge ahead but don’t write it off just yet. This plug-in hybrid slingshots to 100km/h in a respectable 6.8 seconds – proof that power and efficiency can tango.
The e-Hybrid unleashes all its electric and gasoline fury through the front wheels alone – a puzzling omission, as quattro all-wheel drive is absent. Adding insult to injury, while other Q3 models enjoy the crisp shifts of Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the e-Hybrid soldiers on with an outdated six-speed gearbox.
The Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid holds a trump card: its beefy 19.7kWh battery. Audi boasts a 106km electric range – realistically, that’s 100km of pure, silent driving bliss before the engine even considers chiming in, provided you’re gentle with the accelerator. The payoff? A ridiculously low 2.1L/100km combined fuel consumption (WLTP). Of course, chasing that dream figure requires plugging in religiously. Neglect the charger, and reality bites.
Rather more realistically, Audi claims 6.0-6.7L/100km when running with a depleted battery in the e-Hybrid.
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
How does the Audi Q3 drive?
Forget the brochure. We got behind the wheel of several Q3s, from the entry-level 110kW models to the potent 200kW e-Hybrid and the sure-footed 195kW TFSI quattro. A stark truth emerged: if you’re considering a front-wheel drive Q3, prepare for a bumpy ride.
However, don’t mistake "practical" for "punishing." This PHEV actually outshines its petrol and diesel siblings. The secret? Its substantial 1900kg weight acts like a well-behaved anchor, keeping the suspension composed and the ride surprisingly smooth.
However, the third-gen Q3 harbors a restless spirit. Cross a significant road imperfection, or let a tire stray into a pothole’s maw, and a jarring thump erupts, shaking the Audi’s composure and reminding you of a hidden unease beneath the surface.
The Q3’s handling? Utterly forgettable. Perfectly adequate, yes, but about as exciting as watching paint dry. And that "Sportback" badge? Pure marketing. The PHEV’s hefty battery pack turns any dreams of spirited cornering into a sluggish reality. It resists eagerness at every turn, hampered by steering so light and devoid of feeling that any connection to the road – and any driving joy – simply vanishes.
Even with 200kW surging through the front wheels alone, the real challenge wasn’t raw power, but keeping it glued to the tarmac. A delicate dance between throttle and steering became a necessity, especially under the deceptive drizzle of a Scottish September. One wrong move, and all that fury transformed into a symphony of spinning tires.
Keep the Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid in check, and it’s a remarkably refined companion. The engine hum stays hushed unless you push it hard, where it admittedly gets a bit raspy. However, wind whisper and suspension sighs are impressively suppressed, creating a serene sanctuary within.
The Q3’s otherwise polished ride reveals a chink in its armor when tackling coarse surfaces. A noticeable tire rumble permeates the rear cabin, a subtle yet persistent echo. It’s a quiet reminder that while you’re enjoying the Audi SUV experience, you haven’t quite ascended to the serene heights of their flagship models.
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
What do you get?
Australian Audi Q3 details remain shrouded in mystery! Will the sleek SE and sporty S line trims of the UK model make the jump down under? Fingers crossed!
2026 Audi Q3 e-Hybrid S line highlights:
- 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster
- Head-up display
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- 20-inch S line alloy wheels
- S line exterior sports styling
- S line interior enhancements
- S line front seats
- Climate control
- Sonos premium sound system
- LED exterior lighting
- Adaptive cruise control
- Front and rear parking sensors
- 3-spoke multifunction Sport steering wheel
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
Is the Audi Q3 safe?
While the all-new Q3 hasn’t faced the rigorous trials of Euro NCAP or ANCAP yet, its predecessors boast a flawless five-star safety legacy earned during their initial evaluations.
Previous-gen Audi Q3
"The Audi faced a gauntlet far more rigorous than before, yet it’s armed to the teeth with cutting-edge driver assistance systems. Anything short of a perfect score in the upcoming safety evaluations would be a genuine surprise."
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
How much does the Audi Q3 cost to run?
Unlock incredibly low running costs with the Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid. While we’re crunching the precise numbers, picture this: regular charging – whether at home or the office – translating into astonishingly affordable day-to-day driving. Think minuscule fuel bills thanks to that beefy battery pack.
Juice up your Audi faster! Forget just overnight trickle charging – hit a public DC fast-charger and pump 50kW directly into the battery.
Audi’s got your back long after you drive off the lot. The new Q3 is poised to arrive with Audi Australia’s reassuring five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Plus, should the unexpected occur, you’re covered with five years of roadside assistance – peace of mind comes standard.
The previous Q3 demanded a service visit every year or 15,000 kilometers. Savvy owners could snag a five-year pre-paid service plan for just over $3,300. Expect something similar when you buy the new SUV.
To see how the Audi Q3 compares with its rivals, use ourcomparison tool
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Audi Q3
The Audi Q3: Predictably polished, surprisingly unshaken. It delivers exactly what you anticipate from a freshly minted German machine – competent performance, sleek lines, and a tech-laden cabin. Minor interior quirks aside, it avoids any catastrophic missteps that would sink its appeal entirely.
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