New Audi Q3 starts from £38,300 and boasts impressive powertrain line-up

Audi’s best-selling compact crossover is back. But is this third generation model the new ‘segment benchmark’, like the brand claims? Get all the answers, below.

Since its debut back in 2011, Audi’s compact Q3 has been a ubiquitous sight on British roads — small wonder, given the firm’s shifted over two million of them globally since then. And, to add to that pressure, the Q2’s imminent departure will soon make this new model the smallest SUV in Audi’s stable. So, the new model has got an unenviable task on its hands, but can it deliver? 

If the muscular styling’s anything to go by: yes. As you’d expect, the new Q3 has been treated to a comprehensive redesign to ensure it slots neatly into Audi’s latest lineup. That means plenty of Q5-inspired design cues. In fact, from a head-on view, the two cars are virtually indistinguishable. Just like its bigger brother, the Q3 sports new slimline — and optionally digital — headlights, as well as a larger, more aggressive grille. And, while the taillights have a more technical feel on the Q3, the Q5’s full-length lightbar also makes an appearance here. 

Those handsome looks are functional, too. Crack out the tape measure and you’ll find the Q3’s grown by 40 mm, which should benefit cabin space and rear legroom. Then, at each corner, those eye-catching alloys are shod with fuel-efficient Continental Eco Contact 6 Q tyres as standard. And, if that wasn’t enough, the svelte silhouette now cuts more cleanly through the air — offering a reduction in drag that you should feel at the petrol (or diesel) pumps.

Speaking of which, there’s a veritable smorgasbord of powertrains to choose from. Whether you enjoy the motorway mile-munching abilities of a diesel, the explosive oomph of a high-performance, turbocharged petrol, or the flexibility of a plug-in hybrid, there’s a Q3 for you. We’ll not bore you to tears by listing the details of every configuration, but two highlights (in our opinion) are the frugal 148 bhp front-drive TDI, and the impressive 268 bhp PHEV — that’s capable of nearly 75 miles on battery power alone.  

Agile handling and engaging driving dynamics have never sat particularly high on the Q3’s agenda, but this new version does sport some reassuring revisions for keen drivers. Most notably, sportier suspension with optional two-valve damper control is said to offer ‘an optimally balanced driving experience’, by continuously adapting to the road surface.

Inside, the indicator stalk — or lack thereof — is the talk of the town. That’s not a sentence we ever thought we’d utter, but the Q3’s reinvented, all-in-one button/rocker-style indicator arrangement has caused a commotion in the press recently. Still with us? Good. In more exciting news… The Q3’s interior has been treated to a new panoramic screen setup (backed by AI) to ensure all the info you need is never more than a voice command away. Interestingly, you can also spec acoustic glazing for the front windows — a feature we’d expect to see on much more luxurious machines — which should result in an appreciably quieter cabin at speed. 

Is there anything else you should know? Well, there’s an optional new Sonos sound system, which should appease the audiophiles. Oh, and you can even “train” your Q3 to park for you in up to five different types of spaces.  

Sold? Order books open this summer, with entry-level machines commanding a £38,300 price tag. Expect to pay considerably more if you’re after one of the fruiter engines and all the kit, though.  

Has Audi created a new compact crossover king? Let us know if you’d pick the new Q3 over the BMW X1 or Mercedes GLA.

Hero image credit: Audi