Audi Q3, Round Three: Smarter, Sleeker, and Comfortably Familiar

If it works, don’t fix it—Audi seems to have embraced this ethos with the newly unveiled third-generation Q3. The German premium brand’s second best-selling model after the Q5 has been given a refresh that feels more evolutionary than revolutionary. And customers seem to approve: Q3 sales have jumped 45 percent in the past year, so why rock the boat?

The new Q3 still rides on the familiar, now-refined MQB platform, but its design has matured. The lines are softer, the stance more composed. It no longer looks like a compact crossover trying to punch above its weight; it now resembles a car that’s been paid extra to look expensive. Dual-level headlights—with programmable upper LEDs and lower ones that can project warnings onto the road—bring a touch of sci-fi. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 20 inches.

Inside, Audi has gone green. Plastics are recycled, along with polyester and nylon upholstery. Dominating the dashboard are two generously sized displays—11.9 and 12.8 inches—merged into a seamless digital surface that whispers luxury. Gone are the physical buttons on the steering wheel, replaced by touch-sensitive alternatives (a move that seems more baffling than brilliant), while the gear selector has migrated from the center console to the steering column, lending the cockpit a pilot’s feel.

Then there’s the new stalk: the first Audi to combine lights and wipers on a single lever using a tiny wheel and physical buttons. It’s either inspired or infuriating, depending on whether the rain is coming straight at you or from the side. Optional features include a 12-speaker Sonos sound system and ambient lighting that gives every drive the drama of a Netflix intro sequence.

Sales officially begin in October, but pre-orders are already open. Buyers can choose from petrol, diesel, or a plug-in hybrid. The 2.0 TDI offers 150 horsepower, paired with a seven-speed S tronic and front-wheel drive. The base petrol engine is a 1.5-liter with an identical power output, supported by a 48-volt hybrid system and the same transmission. At the top sits the 2.0 TFSI with 265 horsepower and Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive.

The hybrid pairs a 1.5 TFSI engine (177 hp) with a 116-horsepower electric motor, working through a six-speed dual-clutch system. Usable battery capacity is 19.7 kWh, offering up to 119 kilometers of electric range—enough to forget the gas station for at least a few days.

Prices start at €44,600 for the base model, reaching €49,300 for the hybrid.