Under the hood, the new Q3 has a familiar engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, but it produces 255 hp and 27 hp and 22lb-ft of torque more than the second generation Q3 273lb-ft. It also replaces the old Q3's sloppy 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission with a much better 7-speed dual clutch unit. That is, at least until we move on to the more expensive and performance-focused BMW X1M35I and Mercedes-AMG GLA35, which will be the most power in the class. At 3,935 pounds the Q3 is also the heaviest in its competition, but at least it comes with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard. The styling is subjective, but I love the look of the new Q3, especially if you have an optional 20-inch wheel installed.
Its more upright posture makes it look more like a proper SUV than a lifted hatchback like its predecessor. Good looks continue inside the new Q3, where it hides Audi's mix for a rather bold of materials including fabric, leather, patterned padded door sills, and large slabs of real wood on the dashboard as standard. I say it's bold for Audi because most of its models have three screens that span the dashboard when they're optioned. As for the price, the new Q3 is only available at a single trim level with a terrible name: the 2026 Audi Q3TFSI Quattro S Tronic starts at destination 44,995, including destination rates of destination1,295. There is only 1 engine, but other options and options packages include 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, infotainment package, technology package, driver assistance package, and Black optics package.
The new Q3 is expensive 3,900 more expensive than the Q3 it replaces, but it comes with a quattro, three selectable daytime running lights signature and LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, wireless phone charger, driver's seat memory, double glass front side windows, heated front windows, and more. It includes a large list of standard features including a touchscreen infotainment system, a touchscreen seat, and a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. My test car was fully loaded and rang at 5 51,790, including the destination. The new 7-speed dual clutch is the biggest growth point in 2026 Q3 compared to last year's model. The old car's 8-speed torque converter felt like it was out of shape and needed to breathe during each shift, regardless of the throttle input.
The new dual clutch unit is much better at changing gears, especially when using a paddle shifter attached to the steering wheel It still feels characteristically like a dual clutch, but when you take your foot off the brake, you get an amazingly fast pedal without touching the throttle pedal. In terms of feeling a surge of power as the car moves forward in the race. You get used to it pretty quickly, but the first few times it happens is surprising. Its more powerful turbocharged engine makes the new Q3 run without complaint, but this is not a sporty car. Lazy throttle pedals require a lot of input to move things around, and I've found that calibration to either cause me to crawl away from the stop, or dig deeper into the throttle and unintentionally speed away from the stop.
This is something that is likely to eventually normalize for real-world owners, but in my short time driving the Q3, it scoots clean from the corners, using a paddle shifter to keep the engine in its power band a sweet spot at the throttle. On the gorgeous green twisted roads around California's pristine Central Coast, the Q3 elt was able to drive through the winding roads, but nothing playful or particularly exciting. The brakes are great, the suspension is not adapted, but it can keep the tall Q3 remarkably flat throughout the turn. The seat provides little lateral support, though, so you fix yourself with your knees the entire time. There was no tendency for the nose to press wide when entering the corner, but there was also not much time to press the car. Take it on a less exciting road and the Q3 feels strong, solid, and overall very easy to drive and get together.
There is enough power for merging or passing, and engine noise is virtually inconspicuous, regardless of engine speed. Despite its standard dual-pane front window, the 20-inch wheels of my test car made its way into the cabin, and I think it won't beat the road noise or everyone else. My fully loaded test car is equipped with a driver 1,250 driver assistance package that adds lane centering and lane change assist to standard adaptive cruise control, heated steering wheel, Park Assist Plus and surround view camera. The experience was outstanding, lane centering and adaptive cruise control worked great during my very short time using them, and I appreciated the tactile steering wheel that doesn't require a jiggle to remind you that you're still alive.
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The biggest news is that its reimagined turn signal control and lack of stem is a lot of technology and new ideas inside. In place of the traditional rod the Audi flipping up and down to activate your indicator decided to attach a little toggle to either end of a separate control unit mounted on the top of the steering column. The turn signal is still being manipulated by pushing the left side of the control unit up and down, and it actually feels great to use. I'm less convinced by the wiper control dial, which is mounted just inboard of the turn signal toggle and is almost the size of Advil. Fortunately, you can only leave the wipers to automatic in most cases, and it is non-problematic.
The new infotainment system abolishes dark tiles on the home screen and puts them in contrasting gray tiles for easy selection at a glance One of my absolute favorite touches is the way the system allows you to select the display you want to edit using images. For example, when you need to adjust the height of the head-up display, go to the settings and then go to the display settings and go to the infotainment screen Da It is very streamlined, easy to use and yes, better than the old UX. The touch panel "Hi Audi" voice control work is also. Audi brought back the map view of the Q3's virtual cockpit, but Audi made the display of the digital gauge very wide and narrow, like a mail slot.
It is said to have been done to make sure nothing was blocked by the steering wheel, and although it has been successful in that mission, it still leaves a huge black frame around the actual screen, which looks like it has ruined the aspect ratio. If the front seat occupants are less leggy and can scoot their seats a little, there is enough space in the rear seat and the standard rear vent is a nice touch. Overall, I pretty much liked the new Q3. The structure is very solid, so it feels like it was cut out of a huge marble slab, the engine noise is very well quiet, and even in a wide range of standard features, in dynamic mode, the throttle requires too much pedal travel for not enough vitality, especially given its best-in-class power.
I think the biggest strength of Q3 is its bold styling. Buyers want onlookers to see their nose badges and say, "Wow, they're driving an Audi.""The small Q3 looks very impressive, especially if it's highly selected like my Malpero Blue Tester, especially when placed next to competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLA250. If you're looking for a new subcompact luxury crossover that will impress onlookers and justify your real estate business, the new Q3 is well worth your consideration.
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