Audi Q3 Review 2025

New Audi SUVs seem to crop up as frequently as social media links to online Dubai chocolate emporia and supposedly shocking stories about Dragons’ Den’s entrepreneurial Steven Bartlett. Given their visual similarities it can be tricky to determine whether it’s a facelift of an existing model or a new-new one that you’ve forgotten you’ve seen before. Rest assured that in spite of any overwhelming sense of déjà vu you’re experiencing, this is the all-new Audi Q3 SUV. Honestly.

Given the proliferation of Q-prefixed, high-rise models adorned with a four-ring logo, it doesn’t seem all that long since the original Audi Q3 made its debut, so maybe ensure that you’re sat down with a glass of brandy on standby to absorb the shock at realising that was 14 years ago and this new one is the Mk3.

That this latest Audi Q3 looks the way it does is far less of a jolt to the system, a fine exponent of the brand’s tendency to produce the same wurst in different sizes. Judging by how many Q models seem to ply every stretch of the UK’s road network, it’s a successful recipe, so expect a customer clammer for the latest Q3 because of its 80%-scale Audi Q5 styling, not despite it.

A trio of engine options will be available for the new Audi Q3 from the outset, all driving the front wheels via S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmissions and benefitting from simpler naming conventions than those used over the past decade-and-a-half.

With mild hybrid assistance, the petrol TFSI 150PS and can save fuel by starving two of its cylinders when less acceleration’s required from the engine. With the same amount of power but 360Nm of torque is the diesel TDI 150PS. Performance and efficiency figures are still to be confirmed.

Now called e-hybrid instead of the clumsier TFSI e, is the 272PS plug-in hybrid Q3, with a combined output of 400Nm of torque. With a 19.7kWh usable battery capacity, the Audi Q3 e-hybrid has a provisional WLTP Combined cycle electric driving range of 74 miles and can be recharged using a DC public facility at a rate of up to 50kW.

No electric Q3s will be forthcoming — that role’s performed by the similarly sized Audi Q4 e-tron — but further TFSI petrols are in the pipeline. Their increased outputs of 204PS and 265PS benefit from the additional traction offered by Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

Not that Audi will have the compact-yet-upmarket SUV market all to itself, particularly if its long-time German rivals can do anything about it. Of those, the Mercedes GLA is in a weaker position given its relative age and size, while the BMW X1 also trades on the back of resembling its larger showroom siblings.

BMW can also have a cheeky second nibble at the Q3 as a development of the X1’s underpinnings are also employed by the MINI Countryman.

Competition from elsewhere comes in the angular shape of the Volvo XC40, a model that’s curiously successful at totting-up sales despite being one of the oldest car designs still on sale. Nevertheless, it can still be as much of a stone in the Audi’s shoe as the Range Rover Evoque can be.

Climb aboard the latest Q3 and front seat occupants are enveloped with a similar style of Softwrap dashboard that’s already appeared in a variety of new models from the brand, including the latest Audi A6 Avant. Here the dual-screen arrangement consists of an 11.9-inch display immediately ahead of the driver, while the one located towards the dash’s centre is a 12.8-inch touchscreen for the multimedia and myriad other systems. Audi’s placed permanent shortcuts on the screen for frequently used functions such as adjusting the climate control’s temperature settings, although we’d rather have physical buttons.

On a similar theme of reinventing things that worked just fine before, Audi’s got rid of indicator and wiper stalks in the Q3. Replacing them are chunky, immovable extensions from the steering column with physical controls on their ends — the left side for indicators and wipers, the right for the gear selector. We’ll reserve further judgement until we’ve used them.

While the Audi Q3 is equipped with five seatbelts, its compact nature means it will be most comfortable for four people, unless the fifth’s of a petite stature and can make the most of the central rear bench position. Making the most of the space available, the rear seats can be slid back and forth as well as have their backrest angle adjusted.

That benefits bootspace, allowing between 488-575 litres with the rear seats in use and a total capacity of 1386 litres when they’re folded over. Further boosting their practicality is their 40/20/40 split.

As per Audi’s other models, the Q3 will be available in its usual trim level hierarchy of Sport, S Line and Edition 1 across the whole suite of engines barring the TFSI quattro 265PS which can’t be paired with Sport.

All Q3s come with LED head and tail lights, automatic main beam, auto-dimming and electrically folding door mirrors, roof rails, acoustic glass for the windscreen and front doors, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, multicoloured LED interior ambient lighting, a wireless smartphone charging pad, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Upgrading to S Line increases the alloy wheel size to 19 inches, adds selectable LED exterior lighting signatures, a continuous strip of red LED illumination across the tailgate — including the Audi logo — leather and faux leather upholstery and a sports steering wheel. Flagship Edition 1 versions net 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black exterior fixtures, Matrix LED headlights and suede-like upholstery.

Among other new technologies available for Q3 customers is an improved automatic parking function that can be ‘trained’ to memorise five preset manoeuvres covering up to 50 metres in distance, such as entering or exiting an awkward garage space from a tight driveway.

Orders for the new Audi Q3 SUV open in July 2025 for TFSI 150PS and TDI 150PS versions, while those for the e-hybrid 272PS models can be placed from August. Dates are still to be confirmed for the TFSI quattro 204PS and 265PS choices.

Pricing starts at £38,300 for the Audi Q3 TFSI 150PS Sport rising to £52,450 for the forthcoming TFSI quattro 265PS Edition 1. First customer deliveries are expected in September 2025. There’s no official word yet on a replacement for the coupe-like Audi Q3 Sportback but it’s a safe bet that it will appear within six months of its more conventionally shaped twin.

Keep this page bookmarked further news on this important new range and to read our forthcoming full and comprehensive Audi Q3 review in the weeks ahead.