Summary
The Audi Q3 is a mid-sized SUV/crossover, available as both a conventional SUV and a more sleekly-styled Q3 Sportback version. The current model is the second generation and was launched in 2018.
The Q3’s Expert Rating puts it firmly in the midfield of small-to-medium SUVs. As of November 2022, its Expert Rating of 66% (based on 35 reviews) is slightly behind the BMW X1, but falls a long way short of the class-leading Volvo XC40 and Range Rover Evoque.
The Q3 has received generally good, rather than great, reviews from the UK motoring media. Most titles have praised its quality and technology systems, however it has been criticised for not being as enjoyable to drive or as comfortable as the best cars in its class.
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV and Coupé SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £32,200 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2018
Last updated: Summer 2019
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Q3 35 TFSI S Line
“The latest Q3 feels a resoundingly good product, both inside and out.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Rage overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is a BMW X1 rival that has bags of style, impressive tech and makes a great all-rounder.” (Ben Custard)
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Model reviewed: Sportback 35 TDI
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s agile enough for a car of this type, and while the steering is light, even front-wheel drive models like ours demonstrate plentiful grip on greasy roads.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“From an objective point of view, it’s hard to justify the price premium that the Sportback carries over the standard Q3. However, the extra style it adds – without significantly compromising practicality – means that this is one of the most convincing coupe SUVs yet.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is a BMW X1 rival that has bags of style, impressive tech and makes a great all-rounder.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7.4 / 10
“Eye-catching design, backed up by a high-quality interior, make it one of the most desirable and well-rounded models in the segment. Good passenger space and a generous boot add to its appeal, as does its wide range of engines.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is a small premium SUV with an eye-catching design, backed up by a high-quality interior, making it a desirable and well-rounded machine. Good passenger space and a generous boot add to its appeal, as does its wide range of engines.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Sportback range review
Score: 7 / 10
“Make no mistake, despite our lukewarm feelings towards this pricey top-spec engine choice, the Q3 Sportback is a wholly competitive product and complements the standard Q3 well.”
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Model reviewed: Q3 45 TFSI quattro
Score: 8 / 10
“A welcome injection of extra power brings the Q3 more in line with the lofty expectations placed on it by the introduction of the Q2 and Audi’s repositioning of it as a more premium offering.”
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Model reviewed: 35 TFSI S Line
Score: 7 / 10
“Although refined, slick and pretty economical when left to amble along, the 35 TFSI doesn’t give this car much of a turn of pace, nor the sense of versatility you might be looking for in premium-branded family transport.”
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Model reviewed: SUV range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Second-generation Audi Q3 remains a good car but is rough around the edges when it comes to engine and gearbox.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Q3 45 TFSI e Black Edition S-Tronic
Score: 7 / 10
“An easy PHEV operation, with impressive refinement, but rivals have bigger boots.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Sportback Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“Material and build quality are hard to fault, while there’s plenty of tactile delight, with squidgy slush-mouldings, glossy surfaces and even fillets of Alcantara to caress.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“When rivals like the jazzy BMW X2 and even the first-generation Range Rover Evoque are so much better to drive and the Volvo XC40 does such a better job of being alternatively cool and supremely comfortable, the Q3 by comparison is just so… vanilla.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic Sportback
Score: 9 / 10
“Audi has certainly upped the appeal of its Q3 Sportback — adding an extra sense of style without compromising on practicality. Levels of equipment continue to be generous, and fit-and-finish comes in at a very high standard. On top of all that, it’s actually quite fun to drive too.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The latest Audi Q3 is smart outside, clever inside and a pleasure to travel in.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Q3 Sportback range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi Q3 Sportback is a more stylish alternative to your average boxy SUV, although others are more fun to drive and have more room for passengers.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is an upmarket compact SUV that delivers owners loads of high-tech features and lots of cabin space. It’s not that enjoyable to drive, however.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic S line Sportback
“Certainly a niche addition, but the development of the coupe-SUV combination continues, with Audi adding to its broad portfolio to meet seemingly every requirement.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Audi Q3 scores well for running costs, interior quality, standard equipment and the driving experience, although emissions aren’t always up with the best.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“All models are reasonably well equipped, with Audi’s MMI touch infotainment system, a basic set of digital instrument dials, 18-inch wheels and LED headlights standard.”
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Model reviewed: Q3 45 TFSI
Score: 8 / 10
“Quick and chuckable… for an SUV.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 35 TFSI petrol automatic S line
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Audi Q3 now has a lot more visual character than the last model, while the interior remains a quality place to be and it’s refined overall.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 Sportback is far from flawless, with a harsh ride and limited rear headroom compared to the standard model. But we know that many people will live with that for its stylish looks and impressive interior. It’s also cheap to run and, of course, has that Audi badge on the grille…”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is the archetypal compact SUV. Blessed with a premium badge, but with almost no off-road talent, it’s an incredibly popular car.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Compact SUV combines up-to-date tech, practicality and a dose of style”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Q3 Sportback
“The Audi Q3 Sportback is clever, spacious, great to look at — and aimed at parents that still have sex”
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Model reviewed: Q3 35 TFSI 1.5-litre petrol automatic
“Inside and out, this robust, chunky, high-quality sports utility vehicle has swelled and is now sizeable enough to bully others in the segment.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic 35 TFSI S Line
Score: 6 / 10
“Solid, comfortable, safe and slick, the new Q3 is exactly what you’d expect of it, although less upmarket rivals are more practical. This 1.5-litre petrol engine should be avoided, too, as it’s noisy, slow and a little on the thirsty side; although with a different engine this could be a sensible and classy, if slightly dull, family SUV pick.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“A very competitive posh crossover, but it fumbles some of Audi’s traditional strengths.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 is practical, has plenty of tech and is decent to drive. However, the Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40 are both classier inside, more comfortable and, ultimately, are better all-rounders.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 45 TFSIe Vorsprung Sportback
Score: 6 / 10
“The ability to drive the Audi Q3 45 TFSIe on battery power alone will minimise running costs on shorter commutes, but fuel consumption is high once the battery is depleted. The firmer ride and reduced boot capacity compared with non-hybrid models take some of the polish off, too. The Range Rover Evoque P300e and Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge offer similar strengths without feeling as compromised, and we reckon both are better choices.”
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Model reviewed: Sportback
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 Sportback is roomy enough for most families, and decent to drive.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Sportback range
“The Audi Q3 Sportback offers a boost in style and street presence compared with its standard Q3 sibling, while there’s little penalty to pay in cabin practicality or even boot space. However, the Q3 Sportback is heavy and thirsty and carries a price premium over the standard Q3.”
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Model reviewed: SUV range
“Audi’s second-generation Q3 majors on spaciousness and has a plethora of technology on board. It’s comfortable and good to drive, as well as being very safe. Overall, it’s an excellent contender in a very competitive market.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 85%
More safety recognition
- Thatcham Research rated the Audi Q3 as one of the ten safest new cars for 2019.
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of November 2022, the Audi Q3 has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 64
Average repair cost: £873.25
Last updated: October 2022
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of November 2022, the Audi Q3 has a below-average reliability score, according to warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current version of the Q3 and the previous (pre-2018) generation.
To date, average repair bills for the Q3 have been quite high, at nearly £900. That’s obviously a lot more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is worth bearing in mind.
Suspension problems are the most common faults, although they’re relatively inexpensive with an average repair bill of less than £300. Engine problems are also reasonably common, but again they’re nowhere near as expensive to fix as most cars with an average repair bill of a bit over £500. Gearbox bills have been very expensive, but seem to be rare.
If you’re looking at a used Audi Q3, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Audi Q3, you might also be interested in these alternatives
BMW X1 | BMW X2 | Cupra Ateca | Cupra Formentor | DS 3 Crossback | Jaguar E-Pace | Lexus UX | Mercedes-Benz GLA | Range Rover Evoque | Volvo XC40
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