2023 Audi Q3

Crossovers continue to dominate the market, keeping manufacturers in a constant cycle of reinvention. Audi’s entry-level Q3 compact SUV is no exception, and for the fourth year of its second generation, the little Audi gets more standard features and a better standard engine, though it comes in fewer configurations than before.

For the 2021 model year, Audi ditched the highest spec ‘Prestige’ trim, leaving the lineup with the Premium 40, Premium 45 and the Premium Plus 45 as the available trims. Shortly after the launch of its 2023 model year update, Audi slashed the less powerful 40 trim, leaving a two-trim lineup consisting of the Premium and Premium Plus, both with the 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder.

For many, this was a favorable decision; most regarded the base engine as underpowered. With 184 horsepower pulling a nearly 4,000-pound SUV, the Q3 40 had unimpressive performance. Now, all Q3s make a healthier 228 horsepower, but as a result, the cost of entry increases slightly to account for the higher standard trim.

The Q3 40 Premium formerly started at $37,595, and now the new base price for the Q3 45 Premium is $39,895, including a $1,195 destination fee. An increase of $2,300, it’s a fair price for the more powerful and flexible engine alone. The price remains in line with most competitors, such as the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Mercedes GLA. Those cost $39,595, $37,645 and $37,450, respectively, all including destination fee. Though, out of those models, the Audi and BMW are the only options that offer AWD as standard.

A $3,300 price difference separates the Q3’s two available trims. The base model comes with parking sensors, a digital driver’s display, heated, power leather seats and a moonroof. Above the $39,895 Premium model, the $43,195 Prestige trim adds adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, memory seats, a top-view camera, ambient lighting, and keyless entry. Unfortunately, options like wireless Apple CarPlay and premium sound still run extra even on the Prestige.

What the Q3 lacks in raw performance, it makes up for with light, accurate steering, responsive handling and smooth braking action. Like its larger Q5 and Q7 siblings, it values balanced performance and a compliant ride quality above all else. Unlike those models, however, Audi doesn’t offer a true performance variant of Q3. Though few will find egregious dynamic faults with the Q3, buyers looking for a more engaging experience might be better served by the BMW X1. Looking forward, we expect a new or significantly refreshed Q3 in the next few years giving Audi an opportunity to field a performance variant.

Performance: 11/15

For the 2023 model year, Audi has dropped the base 40 trim and its relatively meager 184 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder in favor of the higher-spec 45 trim, though it might still be possible to find an example of the 40 at some dealers. The 45 comes with a more potent four-cylinder engine making a respectable output of 228 horsepower and 251 foot-pounds of torque shuffled through an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Audi says the 228-horsepower four-cylinder can propel the Q3 to sixty in 7.1 seconds, a reasonable number but hardly the quickest in the segment. The X1 has a newly fortified 241-HP engine for 2023 and claims a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds. Sadly, Audi doesn’t offer a performance variant of the Q3 stateside, though the German automaker has a 394 horsepower RS variant available in European markets. 

Despite the power bump, Audi doesn’t rate the Q3 for towing, so trailering won’t be an option for this car. However, if towing is of utmost concern, the Volvo XC40 and its 3,500-pound capacity might be worth a look. Disregarding towing, all Audi Q3s have Quattro all-wheel-drive and a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, about 2 to 2.5 more than its A3 sedan cousin.

Fuel Economy: 10/15 

The 2023 Audi Q3 does not have praiseworthy fuel economy ratings. The Q3 achieves a mediocre rating of 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, accumulating to 24 mpg combined. For comparison, the Q3’s larger sibling, the Q5, averages 25 mpg combined, thanks to standard mild hybrid technology. But in contrast to other crossovers of its ilk, the XC40 and GLA 250 4matic return a combined 27 mpg, and the X1 boasts 28 mpg. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 11/15

The Q3 scored well in all crash worthiness categories in testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but scored ‘acceptable’ in the side impact test and ‘poor’ in the seat belt reminder category. The IIHS did not give the Q3 a Top Safety Pick rating for the 2022 model year. Despite the IIHS’s conclusion, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the Q3 an overall five-star rating. 

The 2023 Q3 has various safety features to prevent collisions, but many do not come as standard. Its safety features include forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection (Pre-Sense front), lane departure warnings, and automatic high beams. Audi also includes its Pre-Sense basic, which tightens the seat belts, and closes the windows and sunroof. In addition, options like adaptive cruise control, blind spot alert, and lane keep assist are available, though only on the Premium Plus trim. Rear seat side airbags are $350 on both trims. 

Comfort & Room: 10/15

The Audi Q3 is a comfortable car to drive, and its standard 8-way power heated leather seats and panoramic sunroof give it just an extra touch of luxury. For its segment, the Q3 does well, though its compact form factor impedes on some practicality.

The Q3 offers 39.6 inches of headroom and 40.0 inches of legroom in front. That compares to 41.9 and 40.4 in the X1, 39.0 and 40.9 in the XC40 and 39.0 and 41.0 in the GLA. One cool feature, however,  is the Q3’s is its adjustable rear seats. The Q3 boasts 40-20-40 split reclining and folding rear seats, allowing for easy hauling of long items, like skis or an unusually large saxophone. 

Rear seat legroom measures 36.1 inches; the XC40 matches that, while the X1 offers slightly more at 37 inches and the GLA takes top honors with 38.4 inches. 

Infotainment: 11/15

The Audi Q3 offers a digital dash and a pleasant-looking 10.1-inch center display featuring haptic feedback. The haptic feedback physically signals users they’ve actually clicked on something eliminating the need for a second or third glance to confirm. The center display is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (non-wireless as standard). Sitting below the screen is a wireless phone charging pad, a feature that now comes as standard on the ‘23 model year. 

The standard audio system is a 10-speaker array, but there is an option for a 680-watt, 15-speaker SONOS system. Unfortunately, the SONOS system is only available in the $2,700 Technology package atop the Premium Plus trim. For that upcharge, you also get Audi’s impressive virtual cockpit plus (12.3-inch screen across the dash), a separate 10.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, navigation with traffic sign recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Alexa integration.

However, Premium owners can still have some fun with the $1,400 convenience package, including ambient interior lighting. 

Cargo Space & Storage: 11/15

The Audi Q3 sits at 176.6 inches long, putting it in the upper echelon of the 177.2-inch BMW X1, the 174.2-inch Volvo XC40, and the 173.6-inch Mercedes GLA. Yet, despite being nearly as long as the X1, the Q3 offers substantially less interior storage space. There’s a healthy-for-the-class 23.7 cubic feet with the rear seat in place, but 48 with it folded flat. Those numbers are bested overall by the X1’s 27.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.7 with them folded. The GLA provides 15.4 and 50.5 cubes, and the XC40 trails all three with 16 and 46.9 cubic feet. 

Style & Design: 8/10

The Audi Q3 design language is uncontroversial and pleasant. It wears hints of the core Audi familial theme and appears stylish and handsome but never extroverted. With styling that won’t alienate, the Q3 will seamlessly blend into the streets of suburbia. But buyers can spruce up their build with Audi’s $1,700 ‘Black Optic’ package, presenting larger 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, black roof rails, high-gloss black trim pieces, and sporty front seats. 

The interior isn’t particularly striking, but it features a digital driver’s display and a well-integrated center screen. An additional $250 brings brown-gray natural wood inlays on the dash. Buyers looking for a more extroverted design might want to consider a BMW X1 or a Volvo XC40. 

Is the 2023 Audi Q3 Worth it? Which Q3 is the Best Value? 

While the Audi Q3 is a solid offering, its competition is making the Q3 an easy option to pass up. The 2023 BMW X1 will offer better practicality, better fuel efficiency, more power and faster acceleration, all at a marginally lower price of $39,895, just $300 more than the base Q3. The Volvo XC40 is another example; it offers towing capabilities, more standard safety features, and better fuel economy. That said, the Q3 still exudes a certain level of contemporary cachet with its clean, satisfying design inside and out. 

Buyers who take a liking to one would have the best experience choosing the base Premium trim with the optional $1,400 Convenience Package. The Convenience Package adds luxury features like memory seats, keyless entry, a hands-free tailgate, power folding rearview mirrors and ambient lighting, among other features. An option like this would cost around $41,295, approximately $1,900 less than a Prestige.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the Audi Q3?

The Q3’s insurance rates fall right in line with its competitors. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $2,170 for the Premium and $2,236 for the Premium Plus. A similar BMW X1 rings in at $2,172, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 about $2,205, the Volvo XC40 $1,850, and just under $2000 for the performance-oriented XC40 R-Design. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.