2023 Audi Q3 SUV

　　

2023 Audi Q3 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　, rating written byChristian WardlawContributor

　　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.

　　Serving as one of the most affordable ways to buy an Audi, the 2023 Q3 is a small luxury SUV equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive, and more standard features than many of its rivals. The Q3 is the least expensive of Audi's SUVs, slotting into the lineup beneath the Q4 e-tron and Q5, and is one of the automaker's best-selling models. Its job is to attract younger people who've never bought an Audi before in the hope they'll become loyal Audi fans as they age and earn more money.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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) - $36,800 MSRPPremium S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $39,200 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,100 MSRPPremium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $42,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Though the Q3 is entering its fifth year of production since a complete redesign, Audi makes few changes to the SUV for 2023. That's not a problem because the Audi Q3 is already stylish, comfortable, built with quality materials, and packed with desirable technology. However, it's not terribly enjoyable to drive and, based on our testing, returns disappointing gas mileage.

　　Furthermore, the Q3 is facing new competition from a redesigned 2023 BMW X1 and Audi's other primary rival, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, which received a complete overhaul just a couple of years ago. Volvo's refreshed XC40 is also an undeniably appealing alternative, and some people might find the Lexus UX compelling thanks to its newly standard hybrid powertrain. Can the Audi Q3 still pull in luxury SUV buyers in this highly competitive segment? Be sure to read our full Expert Rating to get more details that can help to answer that question.

　　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