2026 Audi Q3 Gains Sharper Sheetmetal and a High-Tech Cabin

Car and Driver

13 hours ago

The third-generation Audi Q3 arrives for the 2026 model year and mimics the recently overhauled Q5 SUV with sharp styling.
The cabin features two screens, with an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen that is canted towards the driver.
Audi hasn't yet revealed full details, but it said the U.S.-spec Q3 will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four without the 48-volt hybrid system.
The Audi Q3 may not capture the attention of enthusiasts the same way sporty models like the RS6 Avant do, but the subcompact luxury SUV is an important vehicle for the German brand. Last year, the Q3 was the second bestselling Audi in the United States, surpassing the A5 and Q7 and sitting behind only the compact Q5. Now, the Q3 has been completely overhauled, entering its third generation with handsome bodywork and a reworked dashboard.
Adopting the Latest Design Language
The Q3's styling follows the path set by the new Q5, with a split headlight design that sets narrow LED running lights above the main headlight unit, the latter living within a vertical trim piece that is linked to the lower bumper intake by a gloss-black blade. Along with the twinkle of Audi's intricate LEDs, the Q3's face is dominated by a wide grille with a bold repeating octagonal motif. The Q3's lights can perform cool tricks in Europe, such as displaying information from the driver-assist systems on the road ahead, but this LED tech will most likely be restricted in the U.S. due to regulations.
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Audi
Strong shoulder lines extend from the headlights and taillights, while crisp creases for the wheel arches give the Q3 an assertive stance. The taillights also adopt a split look, with a thin light bar spanning the width of the SUV and "eyebrows"—that can be had with optional digital OLED lighting—pointing inwards above. A large faux vent covers the rear bumper and sits above a diffuser trim piece. The Q3 rides on wheels ranging from 17 to 20 inches in diameter.
Inside, the dashboard supports a pair of screens, including an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen that is angled towards the driver, along with a head-up display. The screens run an Android Automotive OS operating system, with the ability to download third-party apps such as YouTube. Audi says the "learning" voice-controlled assistant uses AI.
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Audi
Audi also reconfigured the center console to free up more storage space, shifting the gear selector to a stalk behind the steering wheel. The center console has two cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and two USB-C ports, and there are also two USB-C ports for the rear passengers. The 2026 Q3 will feature laminated front side glass to help keep the cabin quieter, while the doors can be optioned with a fancy illuminated effect where light passes through a fabric panel that was laser-cut 300 times.
There's also a new 12-speaker Sonos sound system that is highly adjustable, with four preconfigured sound profiles—Neutral, Concert, Lounge, and Podcast—and other presets like "bass intensification" and "music revitalization," which aim to improve the quality of compressed files. Audi says the Q3's trunk can hold 17 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, expanding to 49 cubic feet with the rear bench folded.
Sticking with Four Cylinders
While the Q3 will be offered with a range of powertrains in Europe, Audi confirmed to Car and Driver that the Q3 will be sold exclusively in the U.S. with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine without any hybrid assistance, so no 48-volt system. The current 2025 Q3 is motivated by a 228-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and standard all-wheel drive.
We're still waiting for full details on the U.S.-spec powertrain from Audi, but in Europe, the base turbo four uses the aforementioned 48-volt system, sending 147 hp through a seven-speed automatic gearbox to the front wheels. Europe also receives a 147-hp diesel four-cylinder and more potent gas four-pot setups with all-wheel drive, churning out either 201 or 261 hp, respectively. There is a plug-in hybrid model with 268 hp and a 20-kWh battery that should provide roughly 63 miles of range. Audi says the Q3 can tow up to 4630 pounds.
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Audi
The Q3 will come standard with a steel-spring suspension, but it will also offer an optional sports suspension. Plus, there's an available suspension featuring upgraded two-valve dampers. There's also a new "adaptive driving assistant plus," which aids with acceleration, braking, and maintaining a set distance to the car ahead, along with lane guidance at speeds of up to 130 mph. The system will assist with lane changes at speeds over 55 mph on highways, and a new interior camera also monitors the driver's attention and looks for signs of drowsiness.
The Q3 will launch in Europe in October, and Audi says it will make its way stateside next year, with more details on the U.S.-specific version coming at a later date. We'll likely have to wait a few months until Audi reveals full information for the U.S. market, but we don't expect the new Q3 to be substantially more expensive than the current 2025 model's $41,095 base price.
Caleb Miller
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.