The 2026 Audi Q3 finally feels like it belongs in the room with Audi’s bigger SUVs. For years the Q3 was the entry point you bought because you wanted the badge and couldn’t quite stretch to a Q5. This year that’s not really true anymore. Audi gave it more power, a new dual-clutch transmission, and a dashboard that looks like it was lifted straight out of a car costing twice as much. It starts at a price which undercuts the competition.
PRO: Upgraded Power
The new 2.0 liter turbo four makes 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, a jump of 27 horsepower over last year’s car. That’s enough of a difference that you’ll actually feel it merging onto the highway, not just read about it in a spec sheet.
PRO: The Best All-wheel-drive Standard
Every single Q3 comes with quattro all-wheel drive paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. You’re not stuck choosing a front-drive base model just to save a couple grand, which is how a lot of competitors structure their lineups.
PRO: Comfortable Without the Need for Adaptive Suspension
Even with a fixed, non-adjustable suspension, the 3,935 pound Q3 stayed flat and composed through canyon roads with no excessive body roll or pitching. Audi proved you don’t need adaptive dampers to make a small SUV handle well.
PRO: Clean Quality Interior
The cabin now features an 11.9 inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 12.8 inch central touchscreen. Audi kept physical buttons for climate and volume too, so you’re not stuck poking at a touchscreen just to turn up the heat.
CON: Lack of Trims
There’s no Premium, Premium Plus, or Prestige version to step up into. You get the S line quattro or nothing, so your only real decisions come down to paint color and option packages.
CON: Strange Gear Shifter Placement
Audi moved the gear selector to a stalk on the steering column instead of the console. Reviewers said it takes real time to get used to, and it’s the kind of change that annoys people who just want to hop in and drive.
