The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Pleasant interior
- Decent tech for the money
- Good rear seat
- Reasonable price for base trim
Dislikes
- Lousy fuel economy
- A bit slow in base form
- Exterior’s too derivative
- Top-end versions get pricey
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2025 Audi Q3 is a good first step in the brand’s SUV lineup, but adding more than a few options makes less sense than simply stepping up to the Q5.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Audi Q3? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Audi Q3 is a small luxury SUV that compares nicely with the Volvo XC40 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class.
Is the 2025 Audi Q3 a good SUV?
It’s a pleasant overall choice, though the 2025 Audi Q3 is surprisingly inefficient. It has a comfy and stylish cabin and the base version is well priced, earning it a 5.8 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Audi Q3?
The Q3 is available with a new Black Optic package with special 19-inch alloy wheels and various minor styling tweaks inside and out.
Audi’s entry-level SUV looks the part. It scales down standard Audi styling cues such as a big grille and softly curving side haunches with reasonable effect. It’s more interesting inside, with a nice touchscreen integration and some unique angular touches that give it a busier appearance than some other Audi models. Look closely and you’ll spot some VW-sourced buttons and knobs that the brand largely filters out of its costlier models, though.
It's powered by two versions of a 2.0-liter turbo-4 used in a huge range of Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche models. In the Q3, it can put out either 184 or 228 hp through an 8-speed automatic transmission that fires off syrupy smooth, predictable shifts with an occasional reluctance to pop down a cog or two when needed. The Q3 is never quick, but it offers perfectly acceptable power.
Relatively heavy, the Q3 nonetheless has a nimble feel in town, though it is far from entertaining at faster speeds or on a winding road. It settles in fine for highway cruising, with a ride quality that echoes the brand’s larger offerings.
It may be small, but the 2025 Q3 is a thirsty SUV. It’s estimated at just 23-25 mpg combined, which is several mpg lower than many of its rivals. There’s also no hybrid or electric version just yet.
Splitting the difference between mainstream and luxury, the Q3 borrows some bits and some of its styling themes from Volkswagen. But its cabin is reasonably spacious and comfortable, with surprisingly good rear-seat legroom and a cargo area that grows substantially when the rear seat backs are folded down
The Q3 has an iffy crash-test record. It got five stars from the NHTSA, but the IIHS offered up a mix of results including some concerns about its standard automatic emergency braking system. Standard adaptive cruise control is a plus, though.
How much does the 2025 Audi Q3 cost?
The base Q3 40 with the Premium trim level starts at $38,695, while the Premium Plus is $1,800 more. All-wheel drive is standard.
With its 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, leather upholstery, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and 18-inch alloy wheels, the entry-level Q3 is just fine for luxury shoppers on a budget.
Where is the 2025 Audi Q3 made?
In Hungary.
2025 Audi Q3 Styling
The smallest Audi SUV is a stylistic gateway to the brand.
Is the Audi Q3 a good-looking SUV?
The 2025 Q3 is a pleasant enough vehicle outside, but its slick cabin is what stands apart. It’s a 6 on the TCC scale.
Outside, the Q3 looks like a shrunken Q5. That’s another way of saying that it’s sophisticated but inoffensive. Its big grille up front has a bit more angularity to it than on other Audis, and it’s flanked by smaller headlights. But the side profile is solidly in line with other Audi offerings, and the taillights at the rear leave little impression. The Black Optic package adds dark touches throughout but does little to move the needle for us.
It’s more interesting inside, with a simple enough design and pleasant materials. The touchscreen is nicely integrated above some substantial-looking climate controls. The transmission lever sprouts from a center console that looks a little more VW-typical, though. We suggest adding extra-cost wood trim to spice things up a bit inside as the silver plastic that comes standard looks a bit too budget-minded for us.
2025 Audi Q3 Performance
The Q3 is nimble, if not particularly quick.
Audi’s smallest SUV has quick-witted steering, if not rapid acceleration. It’s pleasant enough to drive around town, earning it a 6 on the TCC scale.
Is the Audi Q3 4WD?
Yes, the Q3 comes with all-wheel drive. It’s not an off-roader, but it’ll be just fine for slippery roads in winter.
How fast is the Audi Q3?
The Q3 comes with two different 2.0-liter turbo-4s. Here, the base 40 TFSI engine is adequate. It makes decent use of its modest 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, but it’s far from quick. Figure 60 mph in about eight seconds. The zippier 45 TFSI is worth the spend for its 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque if you live in a hilly area or plan to carry around a full carload of people. It's likely a second quicker to 60 mph.
The standard 8-speed automatic transmission works quietly in the background. It could deliver slightly snappier downshifts, but overall it’s a good match here.
Neither version of the Q3 is particularly fun, though they all have fast steering and nimble reflexes that help offset a somewhat hefty 3,900-pound curb weight. That said, the Q3’s suspension helps it ride almost as smoothly as a bigger SUV, especially with the standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The available 19-inchers let in too many road ripples due to their somewhat short sidewalls. As with so many things on the Q3, it’s best to stick with the least-costly setup.
2025 Audi Q3 Comfort & Quality
Audi carved a decent amount of space out of the Q3’s small footprint.
The 2025 Audi Q3 is fairly spacious for a subcompact SUV. It stretches a mere 177 inches long, making it a good fit in just about any garage. The 2025 Q3 gets a 7 on our scale due to its roomy enough front seats and decent cargo area.
The front seats are a bit narrow and light on support, even though they have good room in most dimensions and are heated and power-adjustable. The center console pushes right up against the driver’s leg, too. Rear-seat riders have decent room for such a small SUV, plus reasonable headroom given the big, standard panoramic sunroof.
Interior materials impress for the price, even if many of the switches and knobs are more Volkswagen than Audi.
The small 18.7 cubic-foot cargo area bests similarly sized sedans, and it grows to about 48 cubic feet with the rear seat backs folded down.
2025 Audi Q3 Safety
The 2025 Audi Q3 has mixed crash-test scores.
How safe is the Audi Q3?
That depends on who’s asking. The NHTSA says it’s a five-star overall choice, while the IIHS notes a mix between “Good,” “Acceptable,” and “Marginal” ratings. The NHTSA rating gives the Q3 a point, while standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection nets another. Note that those crash ratings are for the 2024 model and they should hold for the little changed 2025 version.
The Q3 also has standard adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control. That said, the automatic emergency braking system was rated “Marginal” by the IIHS.
Outward vision is pretty good overall.
2025 Audi Q3 Features
The 2025 Audi Q3 can get pricey quickly.
The base version of the 2025 Audi Q3 offers reasonable value for the money, though that selling point erodes quickly the more you add options.
We score the range at 7 out of 10 thanks to good standard features including a quality infotainment system.
Prices for the 2025 models aren't available yet, but the base Q3 40 Premium 2024 model runs $38,695, which buys a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, leather seats that are heated and power-adjustable up front, a big sunroof, LED headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels, plus adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitors.
A luxury-typical 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is included.
Which Audi Q3 should I buy?
The Premium trim is a solid value. We might step up to the S Line version with its more powerful turbo-4, but that’s about it. You’ll pay $2,400 for that extra power.
How much is a fully loaded Audi Q3?
The 2024 Q3 Premium Plus trim level runs $41,495, or $2,400 more for the S Line. This trim level includes a wireless charging pad, a surround-view camera system, a hands-free power tailgate, and memory settings for the driver’s seat.
Optional features include Sonos speakers, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. That’s nice tech, but it nudges the Q3 to nearly $50,000 when so-equipped.
2025 Audi Q3 Fuel Economy
The 2025 Audi Q5 is surprisingly thirsty.
Is the Audi Q3 good on gas?
Not especially. In fact, the 2025 Q3 is remarkably thirsty. Most check in at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined, while the S Line versions guzzle at a rate of 20/28/23 mpg. Those figures earn the Q3 just 3 out of 10, and they’re well off the mark of some competitors.
On the bright side, the Q3 uses regular unleaded rather than premium fuel.
Note that we’ve used 2024 EPA estimates. We’ll update this space when the EPA checks out the 2025 model.
