2026 Audi Q3 Short Review: What We Liked & What Needs To Improve

With the new Q3 Audi isn’t just looking to introduce its new age product line in India. It also has to show where the brand’s value proposition now lies among rivals who’ve changed quite a bit since Audi was last dominant. While technology is a notable part of the proposition, to make a mark, the Q3 has to offer something significant to actually make the other Germans sweat. 

Audi Q3: Looks

The Q3 looks squat and has a mix of design elements that are evident and subtle. The more apparent ones include daytime-running LEDs that get four switchable patterns and there are three light projections from the digital LED headlights too. Even the rear logo lights up so it’s quite Diwali ready. 

Subtler touches include the shaping of the rear bumper that makes the car show off its tyre width more when you follow it and the rear lights look like something Spiderman sketched. We’re glad to see these more daring alloy wheels vs the bland design the old one got. However, there is still no 19-inch wheel option.

It has to be said while Mercedes-Benz mastered the art of interior light play, Audi was the first to do it outside and it’s no secret how much that’s affected car design today.

Audi Q3: Space & Quality

The front seat experience is very likeable. The driving position gives you a good view of the bonnet, but simultaneously tucks you in and cocoons you in the cockpit. It feels slightly sporty like it would in a sedan.

Even if you’re someone who is exceptionally large, the pedal box feels roomy. The seat support is good and you can get a low-slung driving position should you want it. The interior isn’t uber-luxurious, but makes the use of solid and robust plastics accompanied with some fabric trim along with an aircraft grade, almost marble like panel on the crash pad. The centre console has a good quality piano black panel. However, the piano black finish for the steering-mounted controls feel tacky.

As for the design, it’s an evolutionary upgrade. Nothing that’s over-the-top or dramatic for the sake of it. One sharp difference is the new steering stalk set up. It’s a fixed unit that houses the controls for the lights and wipers on the left with the gear selector to the right. It certainly feels foreign at first but needs about 10 minutes to adapt to.

Rear seat space is good enough for a family of four. A six-footer has about 4 inches of space behind themselves and overall seat support is good including underthigh support. The seat does slide but you’d leave it in the all-the-way-back position unless you need more room for luggage and you’d keep it fully-reclined because even when all the way back, it’s still relatively upright. Certainly not uncomfortable but not the lazy boy angle some would’ve expected for a reclinable seat.

Back seat occupants get an armrest with cupholders, two USB-C ports, and a dedicated climate control zone along with seatback pockets and a storage tray to the side.  Sunblinds for the windows are missed.

Audi Q3: Tech  

Feature bombardment? Not quite, but the Q3 does get a panoramic sunroof, heated and powered front seats with driver memory, a wireless phone charger, two USB-C charge ports up front and in the rear, 3-zone climate control and ambient lighting. Unfortunately, no seat ventilation.

The SONOS music system offers decent sound quality and gets specialised modes too. As for the touchscreen, fluidity and response is sweet and while there are quite a few settings to go through, the interface is easy to follow. Annoying that the AC fan speed adjustment and the transmission’s auto-hold function need you to fiddle with the screen, though voice commands can be used too.

Much like the touchscreen the virtual cockpit also follows a UX that’s not too rich in colours but you get all the info you’d need. Even Google Maps can run right here with your CarPlay/Auto connected. A classic two-dial display option is missed though. Unfortunately, no seat ventilation. 

Feature Highlights

Audi Q3: Boot

The 488-litre boot hides a space-saver spare tyre underneath.

Although it has plenty of space above it to accommodate two full sized suitcases or 4-5 cabin sized trolley bags easily. 

Audi Q3: Drive & Ride

The EA888 turbo-petrol engine is one of the Volkswagen Group’s most proven powerhouses. In the Q3, it feels as versatile as you’d expect. In traffic, there’s a little lag initially before the power delivery flows smoothly while the 7-speed twin-clutch transmission seamlessly works through the gears.

What’s enjoyable about this engine is how quickly it turns into a rocketship with just a downshift. The Q3 crosses 100kmph effortlessly and keeps going north of that with equal ease.

Combine that with the tucked-in driving position and it feels like a car that has the ground clearance advantage of an SUV with the precision of a hot hatchback. Quattro AWD comes as standard but this isn’t all off roader. A bit of muck and slush should be fine but it’s mainly to aid handling on the road. Also, auto start/stop is rather trigger happy and cuts the engine before you’ve actually stopped at times so it’s best to just click it off.

 Ride comfort is a strong point in the Q3 as the bump absorption is excellent. The suspension has an initial firmness that’s typical of German cars which could’ve been isolated slightly better but doesn’t feel too stiff either. The Q3 handles poorly finished and oddly leveled roads with poise and superb stability.

The steering is also both engaging and easy to use. Driving through Goa’s old narrow roads and pacing through its new highways felt equally easy.

Audi Q3 Safety

Safety’s handled by 9 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX, front and rear parking sensors and a rear camera. Yes, that’s right, no surround view camera, and just a tyre pressure loss indicator, no pressure displays. 

You do get some advanced driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and auto-emergency braking but a blind spot monitor or lane-assist are missing.

To Summarise

Does the Audi Q3 do enough to make its German alternatives sweat? It does with standout design, definitely more exhilarating performance and handling, while still being strong on ride comfort.

The cabin space isn’t super back seat focused but it’s roomy nevertheless and the features package while good has some very odd misses. And yes, no diesel, no hybrid, no EV - yet. 

Now Audi may think their differentiator is fancy tech. The truth is the tech package is decent but outside of the lighting systems, it’s par for the course. But I think it’s actually the fact that in a world focused on overloading you with tech for the sake of it or dramatising your experience for the kick of it, this delivers a classic German luxury car experience that’s charming like nothing else.