SAN LUIS OBISPO, California—I’ll be trustworthy, it’s been some time since I’ve pushed an Audi Q3, however my final expertise, every time that was, left a bitter style in my mouth. I’ve a imprecise recollection of low-cost plastic and subpar seat consolation. Certain, it drove good, however all the pieces else was type of meh.
All that modifications for 2026.
2026 Audi Q3 Footage
All that modifications for 2026.
What’s new on the Audi Q3: Exterior
The 2026 Audi Q3 is about 2 inches longer and a half inch wider than the previous-gen mannequin. This interprets into as much as 29 cubic-feet of cargo area behind the rear seats and 50 cubic toes behind the primary. Probably the most seen change, nevertheless, goes to be to the outside, with a brand new grille, new headlights and taillights, and a extra upright stance. Full LED lighting is customary.
What’s new on the Audi Q3: Inside
On the inside, the brand new Q3 cashes in on the massive mono-screen development, and it homes a 11.9-inch digital cluster and 12.8-inch infotainment display screen. The Q3 debuts a brand new Audi consumer interface on its infotainment system, with bigger and redesigned app icons, which shall be rolled out throughout the app and future autos. Oh, and with the Q3.
New Shifter
One of many greatest modifications goes to be to the gearshift. The Q3 debuts a brand new gearshift and switch sign indicator, housed in a single steering wheel management unit. So, the gearshift is moved off the console and onto the column. It’s a novel operation with a squarish lever off the top of the gearshift stalk that really selects the gears. It’s a bit odd to explain, however in observe it has a considerable and logical really feel to it. Equally, the flip indicator is a lever off the left stalk that has a satisfying click on when engaged. It looks as if it must be bizarre, however it’s not.
Engines
Although the engine itself isn’t new, it’s, as Audi says, “completely up to date.” The two.0-liter TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, which is extra energy than any of its opponents—together with the BMW X1. The usual transmission is a 7-speed automated. One of many extra spectacular issues to notice about this new powertrain: It doesn’t require premium gasoline.
Trip and Dealing with
As you’ll count on, there’s a little little bit of sporty baked into the 2026 Audi Q3. We stayed within the “Balanced” drive mode for many of the drive, and it was well-suited to the on a regular basis driving most individuals do. It had respectable throttle response, and simply sufficient enjoyable to maintain you engaged. I toggled by way of “Dynamic” and “Consolation” modes as nicely, however ended up again in Balanced as a result of appeared to be, nicely, a pleasant stability between sporty and comfy.
Should you aren’t used to sporty autos, nevertheless, it’s price noting the journey for the Q3 is extra on the agency facet of issues, so you’ll really feel the street’s imperfections greater than you’ll in another subcompact SUVs. However that agency journey can also be a part of the enjoyment.
Energy and Perfomance
Audi has performed a terrific job with the engine updates, and the acceleration feels lots fast. The general dimension of the Q3 makes it nimble. So, the top result’s a car that has a fun-to-drive dynamic with extra carlike dealing with.
I’ve beforehand complained about turbo lag in Audi autos when accelerating from a cease, however the updates to the Q3 engine eliminates many of the lag.
What we preferred
With the replace, you get a whole lot of new customary options on the Audi Q3, akin to heated entrance seats and tri-zone local weather controls. Different customary options that have been as soon as non-obligatory or not accessible embody the distant begin, the Audi Join App Retailer, wi-fi telephone charging, keyless entry, energy folding mirrors, driver’s reminiscence seat, rear facet airbags, ambient lighting, and three years of pre-paid upkeep. So, whereas the bottom value for the brand new Q3 may seem like a giant leap, it’s not as a lot as you’d assume.
I additionally actually actually preferred the brand new consumer interface for the infotainment system. The app icons are nicely designed and huge, thus being straightforward to faucet whereas driving. The brand new mono display screen that homes the infotainment and digital cluster feels well-planned relatively than like an afterthought, and the digicam views on the display screen are excessive definition and clear. The Q3 has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and one of many actually cool issues I preferred is that the map within the instrument cluster mirrors no matter you’re utilizing on the infotainment system.
A number of issues that may very well be improved
Frankly, there isn’t a lot that I didn’t like in regards to the 2026 Audi Q3. It’s nicely put collectively and quiet, but when I needed to level to a couple issues, and be actually choosy, I’d begin with the dearth of a lever—handbook or in any other case—within the cargo space that can launch the rear seats to fold flat. I additionally thought the cup holders have been somewhat too small for the big drinks Individuals are wont to hold together with them. My 18-ounce Yeti-brand drink bottle, for instance, was too extensive for the underside of the holder, thus it bobbled round a bit. Annoying however not a dealbreaker. Particularly for the reason that bottle holders within the door have been completely positioned and will maintain the Yeti no drawback.
One other choosy level: There’s black lacquer on the console space. Sigh. It appears to be like good so long as it isn’t soiled or dusty or fingerprinted, however if you happen to don’t carry a mud material in your arm relaxation, it gained’t keep any of these issues for lengthy. Talking of the armrest, if you happen to open it partially to achieve for one thing, like a mud material, you’ll be able to’t shut it once more with out opening all of it the best way.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, there is only one well-equipped Q3 trim degree: the TFSI quattro S tronic. It contains issues akin to LED headlights, leather-based seats, adaptive cruise management, heated entrance seats, and a 12.8-inch infotainment display screen for $44,995, together with vacation spot.
As an alternative of trim ranges, the Q3 now features a sequence of accessible packages, together with:
- Infotainment ($1,000): SiriusXM with 360L Sonos sound system, and 4 USB retailers (2 entrance, 2 rear)
- Know-how ($1,400): Head-up show and OLED taillights.
- Driver Help ($1,250): Adaptive cruise help, heated steering wheel, improve park help, and top-view digicam.
- Black Optic ($750): Black exterior mirror housings, black exterior trim, and black roof rails.
Should you go for all of the issues, which is what we drove in San Luis Obispo, you’ll prime out at $51,790, which incorporates vacation spot, premium paint ($595), and the 20-inch wheel package deal ($1,800).
Our take:
Certain, that is only a first spin, however our preliminary impression of the 2026 Audi Q3 is favorable. It’s vastly improved over the earlier era, even when it is a bit more costly. It has a whole lot of cargo area, snug seats, extra energy, nice tech, and a whole lot of customary facilities.
The following-generation Q3 is a tidy package deal, and if you happen to’re searching for a small however sporty SUV, that is going to be place to begin your search.
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