Should you buy an Audi Q3?

If you don’t mind that it’s been replaced by a third generation Audi Q3 and value a flexible interior, yes. We like this family SUV‘s roomy and functional interior, slick styling and tech that just works. It’s also available with a broad range of powertrains including four-wheel drive options. Keen drivers should look elsewhere, though, as it’s a little boring from behind the wheel. The BMW X1 and MINI Countryman are much more playful, while the Volvo XC40 has a higher quality interior.

Petrol engines will suit most buyers better than diesel, though there’s still a place for it if you do lots of miles or need the towing capacity. While it’s reasonably attractive to company car drivers, the plug-in hybrid is outdone on range and CO2 emissions – and therefore BIK rates – by more recent rivals.

What is it?

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Despite being released way back in 2018, the second-generation Audi Q3 still makes for a fine premium family SUV. It’s worth noting that a third-generation Q3 has been revealed and went on sale in the summer of 2025, so keep an eye out for bargains as production of the outgoing car winds down.

We’ve tested many Q3s over the years, including a six-month long-term test, covering thousands of miles and putting it to a variety of tasks. You can read more about how we test cars at Parkers to reach the conclusions presented here.

When the original Q3 was launched, it was pretty much the only premium-brand small SUV available, but it’s now up against a whole swathe of competitors. The biggest threat comes from the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, MINI Countryman, Alfa Romeo Tonale and Volvo XC40. There’s plenty of mainstream opposition, too, but the smaller Audi Q2 is better priced to compete with those.

Key to the Q3’s far-reaching appeal is its clever packaging solutions, frugal and punchy engines, useful tech and the TFSIe-badged plug-in hybrid models. We’re concentrating on the core, estate-ish Q3 SUV in this review; there’s also the sleeker Q3 Sportback, which we’ve reviewed separately, and the ballistic RS Q3. We love the RS Q3 but probably shouldn’t…

You get a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines plus a plug-in hybrid. Diesels are becoming rare in this type of car, and we like that Audi still offers that option; they’re particularly good for towing, with a capacity of up to 2,200kg. Other engines were previously available, something we’ll cover in the Engines section.

There’s also a good spread of trim levels: Sport, S Line and Black Edition. They all have broadly the same set of standard features, being marked out by different packages of exterior styling and interior trim details. S Line is, err, sportier than Sport, and Black Edition adds trim details in… black. Other trims have been available in the past; our specs pages provide the details.

Over the next few pages, we’ll thoroughly review all aspects of the Audi Q3 and rate them in our verdict. Along the way, we’ll consider the car’s driving experience, the quality and comfort of its interior, its practicality and how much it’ll cost you to keep on the road.

If you’re curious about how we reached our verdict on the Audi Q3, check out our how we test cars explainer page. And if you’d rather watch than read, we’ve created an Audi Q3 video review below.

Watch our Audi Q3 video review