Audi Q3 Returns: More Screens and More Lights

Audi has unveiled the third generation of its Q3, a compact SUV that has become one of the brand’s sales cornerstones. The recipe hasn’t changed—think family-friendly premium crossover—but Ingolstadt has layered on more digital dazzle, more lighting tricks, and, inevitably, higher prices.

In the decade since its debut, the Q3 has sold more than two million units worldwide, cementing its role as the entry point for buyers who want the Audi badge without stretching to A6 or Q7 money. The latest iteration sticks to that core formula, offered in two body styles—the standard SUV and the sleeker Sportback coupe.

Audi’s press kit dwells on the new lighting tech with evangelical zeal. Buyers can now specify Matrix LED, micro-LED, or OLED taillights, with up to 36 customizable segments. Drivers can even project ice-crystal icons on the road and select between digital “light signatures” via the MMI system. The message: your car now speaks in light shows.

Inside, the glow continues. A 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit dominate the cabin, joined by an “Audi assistant” avatar powered by Android Automotive. That means the Q3 can natively run apps such as YouTube without tethering to a smartphone—a first for this class of Audi.

The engine lineup holds few surprises:

Q3 35 TFSI: 1.5-liter petrol, 150 hp, paired with 48V mild-hybrid tech.
Q3 35 TDI: 2.0-liter diesel, also 150 hp, for long-distance drivers.
Q3 45 TFSI quattro: 2.0-liter petrol, 265 hp, with all-wheel drive.
Q3 55 TFSI e: Plug-in hybrid, 272 hp combined, promising up to 119 km of electric-only range (WLTP) and eligible for subsidies in some markets.

Pricing in Europe starts at €46,590 for the Q3 SUV, with the Sportback carrying a €1,900 premium. The plug-in hybrid begins at €56,090 (SUV) or €57,990 (Sportback), placing it squarely against the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, where brand cachet matters as much as spec sheets.

In essence, the third-generation Q3 doesn’t surprise. It does exactly what it is supposed to: anchor Audi’s sales volume and reassure buyers that they have stepped into the “premium” circle. The rest—the micro-LEDs, OLED signatures, and talking avatars—are modern noise. The heart of the matter remains unchanged: a compact SUV that sells status as much as engineering.