BREAKING THREE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audiq3_2026

By Jonathan Crouch

Audi's third generation Q3 breaks free from the conservative vibe of its predecessors. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 50

With this MK3 version of their Q3, Audi's third attempt at creating a really premium small SUV is probably their most convincing yet. There's all the electrification you really need. While inside, you'll feel like you're in a more premium kind of car. And in many ways, you will be.

Backgroundword count: 169

Good things often come in little packages. The Q3 compact SUV has certainly been good for Audi, with over 2 million sold since the first generation model's launch back in 2011, a number heavily contributed to by the MK2 design which followed in 2018. So what of this third generation version, announced in mid-2025, built at the brand's Hungarian factory in Gyor and heavily based on a close VW Group rival, the CUPRA Terramar. As before, it's essentially an SUV version of Audi's A3 small hatch, so gets the same platform and powertrains (which don't include an EV version; only a PHEV). But the styling and interior are very different from the A3 because this is the first more compact Audi model to feature the brand's latest generation style of design. As before, its key segment targets are the Mercedes GLA and the BMW X1, but likely customers may also be looking at upper-spec versions of models like the Honda HR-V, the Alfa Romeo Junior and the Lexus LBX.

Driving Experienceword count: 408

The MQB platform here is much the same as before, but auto transmission is now mandatory - the usual dual clutch seven-speed s tronic set-up for conventionally-engined models. Engine-wise, things kick off with the brand's usual 150PS 1.5 TFSI mild hybrid petrol unit that most customers will choose. It's no ball of fire, but 0-62mph in 9.1s en route to 140mph is as fast as most Q3 customers will want to go. That's if you select the most urgent of the available drive select drive modes - dynamic (the others are balanced, comfort and efficiency). The alternative mainstream engine, surprisingly still offered, is the brand's familiar 2.0 TDI diesel, available either with 150PS and front wheel drive - or 193PS and quattro 4WD. Obviously, this unit's more torquey than the petrol unit, even the feebler TDI version with 360Nm of pulling power. If you want your Q3 to go faster, then you'll need to know that a pair of conventional 2.0 TFSI petrol units round out the conventional part of the line-up, with 204PS or 265PS - both with quattro 4WD, the latter sprinting to 62mph in just 5.7s. For our test, we avoided all of those conventional engines and chose instead to try the PHEV e-hybrid variant. Disappointingly, the Q3 doesn't get the advanced 2.0-litre Plug-in Hybrid drivetrain we've seen in the larger Q5. Just a further developed version of the previous PHEV petrol set-up borrowed from the A3, which sees the TFSI model's 1.5-litre four cylinder unit mated with six-speed dual clutch transmission and a 25.7kWh battery offering an EV range of up to 74.4 miles - a huge increase over the feeble 32 mile figure of the previous MK2 Q3 TFSI e model. As usual in a VW Group PHEV, you can save battery charge for later in your trip when you might need it. The Q3 e-hybrid's peak power is 272PS, with 400Nm of torque. 0-62mph takes 6.8s en route to 134mph, so it's not slow. On all Q3s, the standard 'comfort' suspension set-up seems well-judged over tarmac tears and potholes; if you regularly encounter those, we'd steer clear of the firmer passive 'sport suspension' set-up found on pricier variants. Beyond the city limits, the light, accurate steering feels good and body roll's kept well in check, though you'll feel this e-hybrid version's extra 150kg of kerb weight through the turns. On the highway, refinement's excellent, but overtaking means working the engine quite hard.

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