AudiQ3

　　

2024 Audi Q3 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The 2024 Q3 is Audi's smallest and most affordable SUV positioned below the popular Q5. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and many top-notch tech features such as adaptive cruise control and a digital instrument panel. Its small rear seats aren't ideal for family hauling, but the little SUV provides a decent amount of cargo space considering its size. The Q3 also boasts excellent build quality and a lower starting price than most rivals equipped with all-wheel drive.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Audi Q3 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$152/mo  for Q3 Premium

　　Q3 Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,000 MSRPPremium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,400 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,800 MSRPPremium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $42,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Lots of tech in a small package

With the addition of adaptive cruise control and lane centering as standard equipment, the Q3 now provides a large package of driver aids on every model. Many rivals charge extra for those features. Front and rear parking sensors, emergency automatic braking and blind-spot warning are also included. Inside, you'll enjoy the crisp digital instrument panel and sizable center touchscreen. If you opt for the Premium Plus trim, a wireless charging pad and a convenient 360-degree camera system are added. For all the tech features, add the aptly named Technology package, which includes a larger digital instrument panel, wireless Apple CayPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a Sonos audio system and a navigation system.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Q3 was last redesigned in 2019, but the Audi is still a solid choice for a little SUV. However, there are other highly rated rivals to consider like the recently redesigned BMW X1 and the stylish Volvo XC40. Mercedes offers two alternatives, the boxy GLB and the sporty GLA. The BMW X2, which was just redesigned for the 2024 model year, should definitely be considered as well. To help you decide if the Q3 is right for you, check out our test team's thorough review in the zzdcar Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Q3 drive? The Q3 is more interested in delivering comfort than thrills. Our test Q3 with the 45 TFSI powertrain reached 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, which is slightly slower than average for a luxury subcompact SUV. The eight-speed automatic transmission can also be a little slow to react when you're leaving from a stop.

　　The Q3 is more energetic from a handling standpoint. It has responsive steering and stays composed when driving through high-speed curves. Altogether, everyday driving is crisp and comfortable, but if driving pleasure is important, you're better off with a BMW X1.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Q3? The Q3's ride quality is firm but not overly stiff. Bumps can be felt through the cabin, but the Q3 quickly dispatches with them and doesn't make any excessive body motions. It's also pretty quiet since there's little outside noise, either from the tires or wind.

　　The front seats have enough adjustment so you can find the perfect position for long trips. The controls are clearly labeled and well within reach. The seat heaters take a few minutes to warm up and never get as hot as others in the class.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below