Reviewed byBen StewartBen Stewart
Overview
The Audi Q3 is the luxury brand's smallest and most affordable SUV. It's also one of Audi's bestsellers. A standout in the red-hot compact luxury SUV class that includes heady competition like the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40, the Q3 is handsome, spacious, and well-equipped. In fact, every Q3 comes with all-wheel drive for sporty handling and all-weather traction. The Q3's rivals offer all-wheel drive as an option. Audi's cabins are generally among our favorites, and the Q3's is no exception. It features high-quality materials, pleasing design with a modern, high-tech vibe, and excellent comfort. The front seats are supportive and can be adjusted to fight off fatigue on long drives. It isn't the most spacious interior in its class, but there's enough rear-seat legroom for average-sized adults to get comfortable. The well-designed infotainment system is easy to use and features one of the largest optional screens in the class. The Q3 is fun to drive, with agile handling and responsive steering. It isn't out of place on a twisty back road. The smooth ride also excels in the city, and it's quick enough for most buyers, especially with the available 228-horsepower engine.
Positives
Sporty, upscale design. Fun to drive, with sharp handling. Standard all-wheel drive for all-weather traction.
Considerations
Tight rear seat. Engine response and fuel economy lag behind some key rivals.
Verdict
The Audi Q3 stands out in a crowded field of small luxury crossovers with its handsome design inside and out and standard all-wheel drive, but it's the SUV's fun personality we like best.
What's New for2023
This year the Audi Q3 gets several improvements. Full LED headlights with DRL signature and a wireless phone charging pad are now standard. The smaller engine Q3 gets new 18-inch five-Y-spoke wheels. The Black optic package on the Premium trim now includes 19-inch wheels with a 20-spoke-V design. On Q3s with the larger engine, newly designed 20-inch wheels with summer tires are now an option on top of the Black Optic Sport package.
Trims and Pricing
The 2023 Audi Q3 is available in four trim levels: Premium, S line Premium, Premium Plus, and S line Premium Plus. The standard model gets a 184-horsepower turbocharged engine, while the S line uses a more powerful 228-hp version of the same engine. The S line Premium is the popular model, but we recommend the standard Premium. We'll explain why.
Premium
Starting at $37,595 (including a $1,195 destination fee), the Premium trim is the best deal because it comes standard with plenty of desirable equipment. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard, as is Audi Drive Select (drive modes). The entry-level Q3 also includes 18-inch wheels, full LED headlights with daytime running light (DRL) signature and high beam assist, a parking system with front and rear acoustic sensors, a wireless phone charging pad, a power panoramic sunroof, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a power tailgate, three-zone climate control, heated leather front seats, and power-adjustable mirrors.
Larger 19-inch wheels are available. We recommend the Convenience package with eight-way power-adjustable seats, heated power-folding mirrors, alarm with motion sensor, auto-dimming interior mirror, and SiriusXM with a three-month trial subscription. Other options — such as rear passenger airbags, LED interior lights, and natural wood trim — can add a bit more to the price.
S line Premium
Priced at $39,895, the S line Premium delivers a 44 hp bump along with sportier S line exterior styling. The LED headlights have high beam assist; other standard features mimic the standard Premium model. The Convenience package is optional, and so is a Black Optic package with 19-inch titanium wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and S line sport seats.
Premium Plus
Starting at $40,895, the Premium Plus adds driver-seat memory, full LED headlights with a DRL signature, a top-view camera system, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, and an LED light interior package. You can also upgrade to 19-inch wheels. More important, at this trim level, the Tech package becomes available. This grouping of equipment includes Audi Connect Prime and Plus for six months, MMI/Navigation Plus, Audi Virtual co*ckpit gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch screen, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, traffic sign recognition, Sonos premium sound system, and wireless Apple CarPlay.
S line Premium Plus
The $43,195 S line Premium Plus builds on the standard Premium Plus with extra horsepower and 19-inch wheels. A 20-inch wheel package is available. The Black Optic and Tech packages are also available. Choose every option, and the Q3 costs approximately $49,000.
Engine and Performance
The 2023 Audi Q3 offers a choice of two turbocharged engines. The standard Q3 receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The more expensive Q3 S line gets a more powerful version of the same engine, thanks to some tuning changes. It's rated at 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. We noticed a small turbocharger lag during acceleration in both the Q3 models. The eight-speed automatic performs flawlessly. And engaging the Sport calibration wakes the engine up and makes the lag less noticeable.
Still, the Q3 isn't the quickest in its class. Independent testing has found both the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 to be quicker in a sprint to 60 mph. As long as all-out acceleration isn't a priority, we'd likely stick with the lower-horsepower Q3 to save some money.
Despite being slightly slower than its competitors, the Q3 has a sporty personality. The little SUV's handling is lively with quick and precise steering. If the daily drive requires traveling a twisty road, the Audi is a great choice. Better still, the Q3's suspension tuning is compliant enough for city dwellers.
Fuel Economy
The standard 2023 Audi Q3 is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency to return 22 mpg during city driving and 30 mpg on the highway. The more powerful S line is rated at 20/28 mpg city/highway. A front-wheel-drive BMW X1 delivers 3 mpg more on the highway. But an all-wheel-drive model (which is most comparable to the all-wheel-drive Audi) is only 1 mpg better on the highway. An all-wheel-drive Volvo XC40 returns exactly the same fuel economy as the Q3. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the class champ, returning 34 mpg on the highway.
Interior
Audis have long set a benchmark for interior design, and the Q3's trappings are some of the best in this class. The standard digital instrument cluster is excellent and similar to other Audi models. Its design is both inviting and tech-forward. Everything looks modern but functions in a way that instantly makes sense. The same cannot be said for many of Audi's competitors.
The Q3 offers slightly less space than the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40. The BMW offers an inch more legroom and 2 inches more headroom. And both the BMW and Volvo have quite a bit more cargo space.
While the Q3 has plenty of room for an adventurous single person or couple, a little more cargo space would help to fit strollers, bags, and toys. Plus, rear-facing child seats can eat up seat space and force the front-seat passengers to move forward. Every inch counts. If you are deciding between the Q3 and the next-size-up Audi Q5, the Q5 provides much more room.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2023 Audi Q3 Premium models come standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Audi's smartphone interface and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. There's also hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity. Plus, Audi's digital instrument cluster comes standard. The Premium Plus model adds the Technology package, which includes a larger 10.1-inch infotainment screen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa integration, a larger and more comprehensive 12.3-inch virtual co*ckpit gauge cluster, and more.
The BMW X1 offers just one standard 8.8-inch screen. The Volvo XC40 comes standard with a 9-inch display as well as a 12-inch digital instrument panel. The Volvo doesn't offer any optional display screens.
Safety
The 2023 Audi Q3 has yet to be rated, but the 2022 model posted a good safety record. It received a top five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tested the Q3 and awarded it a Good rating in all categories except for the organization's updated side-impact test, where it earned an Acceptable rating.
The Q3 comes standard with Pre Sense Basic, a safety system that prepares the car for an impending collision by tensioning seatbelts and closing windows. In addition, all Q3s have blind-spot warnings with cross-traffic assist and lane-departure warning. Stepping up to the Premium Plus brings active lane assist. Rear passenger-side airbags are optional.
Audi Q3 vs. theCompetition
The 2023 Audi Q3 is a compelling entry among small luxury crossovers. It handles with poise and offers a tech-forward interior that's easy to use and easy to live with. Unlike most competitors, it provides standard all-wheel drive.
The BMW X1 and Volvo XC40 provide quicker acceleration as well as more room for passengers and gear. If roominess is a priority, and Audi is the right brand for you, the larger Audi Q5 is priced $10,000 above the Q3.
Audi Q3 vs. Audi Q5
Audi Q3 vs. BMW X1
Audi Q3 vs. Volvo XC40
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