Following suit from the A5, Q5, fully electric A6 and Q6 E-Tron models, Audi has now revealed its next-generation Q3.
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Now in its third generation, Ingolstadt’s compact SUV has been given a much-welcomed overhaul and promises several powertrain options and a thoroughly updated interior to match the bold and personable exterior. Speaking of which, Audi’s smallest SUV adopts split headlights, which is interestingly a design element that the larger Q5 skips. The upper DRLs are cited below the bonnet, while the matrix LED clusters are positioned lower down, behind darkened glass – Audi says each unit boasts a whopping 25 600 micro-LEDs. The rear has been given similar treatment with a divided LED light bar, which complements an OLED upper section and offers six customisable lighting signatures. Further down, there aren’t any faux exhaust tips but instead a clean diffuser and hidden tailpipes across the range.
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On the topic of powertrains, Audi has endowed the third-generation Q3 with a broad spectrum for buyers to choose from. The base model runs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech, producing 110 kW and 250 N.m, sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A 2.0-litre petrol with 195 kW and 400 N.m brings quattro all-wheel drive into play, while a 2.0 TDI diesel offers 110 kW and 360 Nm in a front-wheel-drive layout. Perhaps the most interesting option is the front-driven plug-in hybrid, which pairs a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 200 kW and 400 N.m. It uses a 19.7 kWh battery to achieve up to 120 km of WLTP-rated electric range and supports DC fast charging up to 50 kW.
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Inside, the Q3 receives the full digital treatment with drivers immediately greeted by an 11.9-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive. New for the segment is acoustic glazing for the front windows, promising a hushed cabin. The gear selector has also migrated behind the steering wheel, freeing up space for dual cupholders, a cooled wireless charging tray, and additional USB ports. A new multi-function stalk now handles indicators, wipers, and lights. With the rear bench in place, the Q3 offers 488 litres of boot space. Slide the seats forward and this swells to 575 litres, while folding them flat yields 1 386 litres. Towing capacity is rated at 2 100 kg.
Audi has confirmed an SQ3 is in the works, while an RS Q3 successor remains unconfirmed, though an inline-five seems unlikely to return. On the cards is a Q3 Sportback to rival BMW’s X2, too. The new model will be jointly manufactured at Audi’s plants in Győr, Hungary, and Ingolstadt, Germany. The new Audi Q3 will launch in Europe over the coming months, starting at (an equivalent) R920 000, and word on a local launch is earmarked for early 2026.
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