First Drive: Has Audi’s Q3 gone more upmarket than ever?

What is it?

The Audi Q3 has always offered a premium-feeling take on the compact SUV platform. First launched way back in 2011, the Q3 quickly became a go-to choice for drivers who wanted an upmarket model with a decent level of space, but without the bulky exterior dimensions of a full-size SUV.

Fast forward to 2026 and we’re now on to the third-generation Q3, which arrives bringing a host of innovations, a bold new look and some interesting tweaks to the cabin. What is it like, though? We’ve been behind the wheel to find out.

What’s new?

The third-generation Q3 brings some substantial changes to this compact model. The exterior, for instance, has been brought closer in terms of styling to Audi’s larger SUVs, while its interior now gets some of the technology that you’d expect to find on far more expensive models from the German brand.

Interestingly, Audi has also deemed the Q3 the ideal test vehicle for its new ‘steering wheel control unit’. Essentially, this introduces two new steering wheel-mounted levers; the right one acts as the gear selector, while the left one houses light and windscreen wiper controls as well as the indicators. In doing so, Audi says that there’s more storage space in the centre of the car – that’s the theory, anyway.

What’s under the bonnet?

Audi is launching the Q3 with a series of fuel-sipping engines. There’s a four-cylinder petrol at the entry point of the range, rising to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 259bhp as the most powerful combustion option available. Bucking the trend elsewhere, you can also get the Q3 with a diesel engine.

But we’re testing out the plug-in hybrid model, or ‘e-hybrid’, as Audi calls it. It brings together a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a 19.7kWh battery for a combined output of 268bhp but, most importantly, a claimed electric-only range of up to 70 miles – one of the longest from any plug-in hybrid available today. Emissions are incredibly low at 43g/km CO2, too, and while Audi does claim up to 150.1mpg, you’d need to be travelling on electric-only power for nearly all of the time to achieve this.

What’s it like to drive?

The Q3 feels more upmarket inside and it’s the same story for the driving experience. It’s a polished affair, overall, helped no end by this car’s long electric range. This ability gives the car a quiet, smooth feeling that is particularly noticeable around town, though battery power can still be used at speeds of up to 87mph, too. Things are upset slightly by a firm ride, but this feels like a common theme throughout this segment, with the 19-inch wheels of our test car seemingly extremely large for the type of car they’re fitted to.

Visibility is pretty good, too, and because the Q3 sits quite square on the road, it’s not too tricky to park either. However, it does feel larger than ever, and so may take a little getting used to for some drivers. At just over 1.8 tonnes, it’s pretty heavy, too.

How does it look?

Well, it’s very much an Audi, isn’t it? With its huge front badge and large grille, you can instantly tell which manufacturer it’s from. Thanks to its redesign, the Q3 feels more ‘grown-up’ than ever and feels closer to the larger Q5 than before in terms of presence.

There are plenty of neat touches, too, such as the intricate headlights and the large bash-plate-style trim piece at the front of the car, which gives the Q3 a little bit of ‘go-anywhere’ attitude.

What’s it like inside?

Spaciousness has definitely improved inside the Q3. Rear-seat space is particularly good, with decent levels of headroom and legroom for those sitting in the back. You get a nice elevated view of the road ahead, too. What about that new steering column setup, though? Well, it may be a slight reinvention, but it works quite well. The indicator switch, in particular, is satisfying to operate and has a metallic ‘click’ to it when operated.

The amount of boot space depends on the model you opt for. Go for a standard petrol or diesel and you’ll get 488 litres of space, whereas e-hybrid cars see this drop back to 375 litres. The good news is that all models get sliding rear seats, so you can tailor things depending on the need for more rear-seat legroom or extra boot space.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the Audi Q3 start from £38,300 in entry-level Sport specification with the standard petrol engine. Standard equipment is good, too, with heated front seats, ambient lighting and a 12.8-inch curved infotainment display included on all models. The screen, in particular, is sharp and easy to operate, while functions such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly.

Our e-hybrid model, with a few optional extras, came in at a hefty £51,800, which is a lot of money for a car of this size. However, you could argue that there are some big savings to be made when it comes to running costs overall, with this car’s excellent electric-only range ensuring that fuel stops should be few and far between, particularly if you’re often doing shorter journeys which allow you to charge regularly.

Verdict

The Audi Q3 feels more complete than ever. Both inside and out, it’s more grown-up, refined and comfortable than before, yet it hasn’t lost sight of the spaciousness and practicality that made its predecessors so popular.

The e-hybrid model certainly has its merits and could prove very cost-effective if you’re able to charge at home. However, we expect most drivers to opt for standard petrol versions and, in doing so, they’ll be getting a very accomplished compact SUV which feels better than before.