Audi goes for efficiency, dynamics with all-new Q3

The premium compact SUV is entering its third generation for the 2026 model year.

2026 Audi Q3 front — *The new Audi Q3 gets a more muscular stance and aggressive front end. – Audi AG photo*

Audi has unveiled the third generation of its popular premium compact SUV.

The all-new Audi Q3 is launching for the 2026 model year.

The automaker said it has sold more than two million Q3s since the original model launched more than 10 years ago.

“With the third generation of the Audi Q3, we are renewing an important model family as part of our product initiative and strengthening our range with a powerful plug-in hybrid and efficient combustion engines. The new model combines efficiency, driving dynamics, and comfort,” said Audi AG CEO Gernot Döllner in a news release.

2026 Audi Q3 side — *The 2026 Audi Q3 gets a more striking side profile. – Audi AG photo*

New styling

The new compact SUV gets all-new design that is more muscular than before.

Audi points out the vehicle gets a mix of rounded sections and precise lines, with an efficient airflow around the front end.

Up front, the Q3 gets tapered digital Matrix LED headlights, with a micro-LED module for the first time in a Q3. The company said these headlights provide stronger light.

The daytime running lights, also LEDs, have 23 segments per side for a distinct light signature.

The horizontal shoulder line between the headlights and taillights is described as visually dividing the vehicle into two parts.

The rear has optional digital OLED rear lights as well as continuous LED light strips and illuminated rings.

Available wheel sizes measure from 17 to 20 inches.

Interior

Audi said the centre console gets more storage space thanks to a new steering wheel control unit, which integrates two steering column levers.

The right lever is for the gear selector and the left lever controls lights and windshield wipers.

The space behind the rear seats gets 488 litres of volume; with the rear seats folded down, cargo space grows to 1,386 litres.

The rear seat bench can also be moved lengthwise and its recline angle can be adjusted. If the seats are moved all the way forward, the trunk capacity grows to 575 litres.

The small SUV can also now be ordered with acoustic glazing on the front side windows, to reduce noise, particularly at high speeds.

There are also nine interior packages available.

2026 Audi Q3 rear seats — *The rear seats in the 2026 Audi Q3 move forward and backward and have an adjustable recline. – Audi AG photo*

Tech

The Q3 gets a driver-oriented panoramic display with an 11.9-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. There’s also an available head-up display.

The infotainment system uses an Android Automotive operating system, which supports apps such as YouTube.

A voice-controlled Audi assistant can be used to operate various vehicle functions. The assistant is said to be enriched with AI.

The new compact SUV has an optional Sonos premium sound system with speakers located in the upper section of the doors. The system has 420 watts of power and 12 speakers.

2026 Audi Q3 rear — *The all-new Audi Q3 gets OLED rear lights. – Audi AG photo*

Powertrains

Powering the Q3 are available mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The entry level Q3 gets a TFSI 1.5-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology producing 148 hp, with the motor mated to a seven-speed transmission. The powertrain can temporarily shut down the second and third cylinders at low and medium loads for improved fuel efficiency.

Another powertrain consists of a TFSI turbocharged 2-litre four cylinder engine with 262 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive.

Further up, there’s the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) unit pairing an electric motor with a gasoline engine, producing a total output of 268 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque.

The plug-in hybrid has a battery with a gross capacity of 25.7 kWh (net 19.7 kWh), which Audi said is almost double of the previous model’s capacity, while the battery dimensions are nearly identical.

Audi said the new PHEV unit has an estimated electric driving range of 119 kilometres – keep in mind this is by European testing standards and that number will likely be reported as lower when the vehicle goes on sale in Canada.

Audi said the Q3 can charge up to speeds of 50 kW under ideal conditions with a DC charger.

2026 Audi Q3 trunk — *The 2026 Audi Q3 gets 488 litres of trunk volume, which grows up to 575 litres with the rear seats pushed forward. – Audi AG photo*

Improved dynamics

Audi said the Q3’s driving dynamics are improved significantly thanks to improvements to the suspension.

The suspension with damper control continuously reacts to road surfaces and the driving situation to provide the ideal damping for each wheel, adjusted in fractions of a second, the automaker said.

Audi said the Q3 is suitable for everyday use and impresses with its agility.

The third-gen Q3 will launch in Germany and other European markets first, beginning in October.

Canadian pricing was not provided.

For updates, visit the Audi Canada website.