Audi Q3 Review

The Audi Q3 sits in a useful middle ground. It gives you more space than the Q2 without making the jump to the larger Q5, and at 4.53 metres long, it should still be manageable when you're squeezing into a supermarket parking space. 

This latest Q3 is a completely new generation, rather than a light update of the old car. Inside, there's an 11.9-inch digital driver display alongside a 12.8-inch touchscreen. You also get a broader choice of engines than many SUVs now offer, including petrol, diesel and an e-hybrid plug-in hybrid with an electric range of up to 74 miles. 

That puts it straight up against the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. In this Audi Q3 review, we'll find out where the new model earns its premium price, how much room you actually get and which engine we'd choose. We'll also look at the compromises you need to know about before signing an Audi Q3 lease. 

Quick Verdict on the Audi Q3 

The Audi Q3 is a comfortable premium SUV with good passenger space and a much more modern interior than the car it replaces. The 488-litre boot and sliding rear seats make it practical for family life, and it feels settled on longer motorway journeys. 

It isn't as entertaining to drive as the BMW X1, and we'd avoid paying extra for huge wheels if comfort matters. But if you're considering an Audi Q3 lease, the 150PS petrol paired with one of the lower trims looks like a sensible place to start. 

Overall Rating: 8/10 

The Q3 earns an 8/10 for getting the family-SUV basics right without feeling unnecessarily big. There's more fun to be had in a BMW X1 and more boot space elsewhere, but the Audi counters with useful rear-seat flexibility and good long-distance comfort.  

Audi Q3 at a Glance 

The Audi Q3 is a five-seat compact SUV that sits between the Q2 and Q5 in Audi's range. At 4,531mm long, it's big enough to work as a family car without taking up the road space of a larger SUV.  

The sliding rear seats help the Q3 make good use of those dimensions, letting you trade some legroom for extra luggage space when you need it. If you're considering an Audi Q3 lease, the broad engine range also means you aren't pushed towards a plug-in hybrid if petrol or diesel better suits your mileage. 

Who Should Lease the Audi Q3? 

The Audi Q3 is a good car to lease if you want more space than a hatchback without committing to a large SUV. At 4.53 metres long, it gives you a useful amount of passenger and luggage space but should still feel manageable around town.  

The Audi Q3 is a great choice if: 

You want more space without a huge SUV 

The Q3 gives you a raised driving position and more room than an A3, but it doesn't feel unnecessarily bulky. The rear bench slides too, so you can give passengers more legroom or shift it forward when the boot needs the extra space. 

You regularly carry passengers in the back 

Adults get a decent amount of room in the second row, making the Q3 a better fit than a smaller crossover if the rear seats actually get used. The sliding bench is handy if you've got taller passengers one day and a boot full of luggage the next. 

Your driving is a real mixture 

You aren't forced into one type of powertrain. The 150PS petrol makes a sensible starting point for everyday mileage, diesel remains available for regular long-distance driving and the e-hybrid is worth looking at if you have somewhere to plug in. 

You want Audi's latest cabin tech 

Every Q3 gets the 11.9-inch driver display and 12.8-inch central touchscreen. That means you don't have to choose an expensive trim just to get the new Q3's main interior technology. 

The Audi Q3 may not be the best choice if: 

You want as much boot space as possible 

The Q3's 488-litre boot is useful, but there are family SUVs with more luggage capacity. If pushchairs, suitcases and sports kit regularly need to travel together, we'd check that the boot is big enough before signing a lease. 

You enjoy a sporty drive 

The Q3 is set up more for comfort than entertainment. There's plenty of grip, but if steering feel and handling matter to you, we'd test the BMW X1 before deciding. 

You're shopping mainly on value 

You're paying extra for the Audi badge and more upmarket cabin. If your priority is getting the most space and equipment for your monthly payment, a mainstream SUV could give you more for the money. 

Our Verdict 

An Audi Q3 lease is well suited to someone who needs genuine family space but doesn't want to drive a large SUV every day. We'd start with the 150PS petrol and resist automatically jumping to the biggest wheels or highest trim. The Q3's useful rear-seat flexibility and comfortable road manners are more important to everyday life than the cosmetic extras. 

Exterior Design & Road Presence 

The Audi Q3 has a sharper look than the model it replaces, with slim split headlights and a larger Singleframe grille giving the front end more presence. It still looks unmistakably like an Audi SUV, but there's enough here to distinguish it from the old Q3. 

The headlights are the biggest change. The daytime running lights sit high up, with the main headlights positioned separately underneath. Higher-spec versions are available with Digital Matrix LED headlights and selectable light signatures. 

Trim makes a noticeable difference too. Technik gets 17-inch alloys, S line moves up to 19 inches and Black Edition fills the arches with 20-inch wheels. We'd think twice about choosing the biggest wheels purely for appearance, especially if your local roads are liberally sprinkled with potholes. 

At 4,531mm long, the Q3 is around 4cm longer than its predecessor but still avoids feeling particularly bulky. If you want something less conventional, the Q3 Sportback adds a sloping roofline for a more coupé-like look. 

Interior, Technology & Comfort 

The Audi Q3 interior gets a major upgrade, with an 11.9-inch digital driver display and 12.8-inch MMI touchscreen fitted as standard. The screens sit together in a curved display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. 

Audi has moved more functions onto the touchscreen, so you'll need to tap through the display for some everyday controls. We'd prefer a few more physical buttons, although the screen sits high enough that you don't have to look too far from the road. 

There's plenty of adjustment in the driving position and good space up front. Adults fit comfortably in the back too, helped by the sliding rear bench. Cabin quality is generally good, although some harder plastics lower down stop it feeling quite as plush as you might expect. 

If you're considering an Audi Q3 lease, the new interior is one of the clearest improvements over the previous model. It feels properly up to date and should be comfortable enough for long motorway journeys. 

What's the Audi Q3 Like to Drive? 

The steering is light, visibility ahead is good and the automatic gearbox takes some of the effort out of stop-start traffic. Comfort is clearly the priority. The Q3 stays composed through corners but doesn't feel particularly playful. 

Wheel size is worth watching. Technik gets 17-inch alloys, whereas Black Edition goes all the way up to 20 inches. The larger wheels look better but can make rough surfaces more noticeable, so we'd think twice before choosing them purely for appearance. 

For an Audi Q3 lease that's going to cover a mixture of commuting and motorway miles, the Q3's calmer approach works well. It's a car designed to make everyday journeys easy rather than turn every drive into an event.

Audi Q3 Engines & Performance 

The Audi Q3 comes with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid power. For most Audi Q3 lease customers, the 150PS petrol is a good starting point, but the diesel is still worth considering if you spend much of your week on the motorway.  

Petrol and Diesel Audi Q3 

The entry-level 1.5 TFSI produces 150PS and uses mild-hybrid technology. It has enough power for everyday driving without lumbering you with the running costs of an engine you don't really need. 

There's also a more powerful 2.0 TFSI with quattro all-wheel drive. We'd only make the jump if you genuinely want the extra performance or regularly need the additional traction. 

The 2.0 TDI diesel is aimed squarely at higher-mileage drivers. If you're regularly clocking up long motorway journeys, its better long-distance efficiency could make it the smarter choice. 

Audi Q3 e-hybrid 

The Audi Q3 e-hybrid combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and can travel up to 74 miles on electric power according to official figures. That's enough to cover many commutes without using the petrol engine at all. 

It only makes sense if you'll actually charge it, though. If plugging in isn't going to become part of your routine, we'd choose one of the conventional engines instead. 

Which Audi Q3 Engine Should You Choose? 

We'd start with the 150PS 1.5 TFSI for mixed everyday driving. High-mileage motorway users should look at the diesel, and the e-hybrid becomes much more interesting if you can charge at home and make regular use of its electric range. 

For most people considering an Audi Q3 lease, paying extra for the more powerful quattro petrol is likely to be a want rather than a need. 

Fuel Economy & Running Costs 

Audi Q3 fuel economy varies considerably by engine, so the cheapest version to run depends on your mileage and whether you can charge at home. The 1.5 TFSI is the straightforward choice for mixed driving, with the diesel better suited to regular motorway miles. 

The Q3 e-hybrid has the most potential to cut fuel use. With up to 74 miles of official electric range, many shorter journeys could be completed without the petrol engine starting. That advantage quickly shrinks if you rarely plug it in, though. 

It's also worth looking beyond fuel economy when comparing Audi Q3 lease deals. Insurance, servicing and your annual mileage all contribute to the real cost, and larger wheels can mean more expensive replacement tyres. 

We'd choose the engine around your actual weekly driving rather than whichever one has the most impressive official MPG figure. 

Practicality, Passenger Space & Boot Space 

The Audi Q3 is a roomy five-seat SUV, with a sliding rear bench that lets you choose between more passenger space or a bigger boot. Adults should be comfortable in the back, and the raised seating position makes getting in and out easier. 

How Big Is the Audi Q3 Boot? 

The Audi Q3 has up to 488 litres of boot space, increasing to 1,386 litres with the rear seats folded. Sliding the rear bench forward also gives you extra luggage room without having to drop the seats completely. 

Boot capacity differs in the Q3 e-hybrid, so check the figures for the version you're leasing. We'd also choose the regular Q3 over the Sportback if carrying space matters more than the sleeker styling. 

Reliability & Safety 

The Audi Q3 comes with plenty of driver assistance technology, including systems designed to help avoid collisions and keep the car in its lane. More advanced assistance is available for motorway driving and parking, depending on the specification. 

It's too early to make firm claims about long-term reliability because this generation of Q3 is still new. Audi's three-year warranty provides some reassurance, though, and a typical two or three-year Audi Q3 lease should keep you covered for most or all of your agreement. 

For family use, the Q3 has the level of safety technology we'd expect from a modern Audi, without making you pay extra for every useful assistance feature. 

Audi Q3 Trim Levels Explained 

The Audi Q3 is available in Technik, Sport, S line and Black Edition trims. Technik already gets the Q3's main cabin technology, so you don't necessarily need to climb the range to get a well-equipped car. 

Audi Q3 Technik 

Technik is the entry-level trim, with 17-inch alloys plus the 11.9-inch driver display and 12.8-inch touchscreen. We'd start here when comparing Audi Q3 lease deals, especially if keeping the monthly payment down matters more than sporty styling. 

Audi Q3 Sport 

Sport adds extra equipment and some visual upgrades without changing the Q3's character too dramatically. It's worth comparing directly with Technik, as lease pricing can sometimes make the step up surprisingly small. 

Audi Q3 S Line 

The S line gives the Q3 a sportier appearance and moves up to 19-inch alloys. It looks sharper, but we'd weigh that against the potential impact of larger wheels on ride comfort. 

Audi Q3 Black Edition 

Black Edition turns the styling up again with 20-inch alloys and black exterior detailing. Most of what you're paying extra for is appearance, so we'd only choose it if you really prefer the look. 

Which Audi Q3 Trim Is Best for Leasing? 

For an Audi Q3 lease, we'd start by comparing Technik and Sport. Technik already gives you the Q3's main technology, so there's no need to upgrade unless the monthly difference gets you equipment you actually want. 

S line is the one to choose if you prefer the sportier styling, but don't assume a lower trim will always be cheaper. Lease prices can throw up surprises, so compare the monthly deals. 

Audi Q3 vs the Competition 

The Audi Q3 competes most directly with the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, with the Volvo XC40 another alternative. The Volkswagen Tiguan offers similar family-SUV practicality without the premium badge. 

The BMW X1 is the one we'd try if driving enjoyment matters. It feels sharper through corners, whereas the Q3 has a more relaxed character. 

The Mercedes-Benz GLA puts just as much emphasis on cabin technology, so your preference may come down to the interiors. The Volvo XC40 has a more understated, Scandinavian-style cabin and a boxier SUV shape, while the Tiguan is worth a look if practicality matters more than the badge.  

When comparing Audi Q3 lease deals with these rivals, we'd pay close attention to the monthly price and specification. A small difference in either could easily change which car works best for you. 

Audi Q3 SUV vs Audi Q3 Sportback 

The Audi Q3 SUV is the more practical of the two, whereas the Q3 Sportback trades some of that practicality for a lower, coupé-style roofline. Underneath, they're closely related, so the choice is mainly about space versus styling. 

The regular Q3's squarer rear end gives passengers more headroom and makes it easier to accommodate bulky luggage. We'd choose it if the car is going to spend its life carrying family members and all their stuff. 

The Sportback is the more style-led option. You still get five seats and a useful boot, so it's hardly impractical, but there are compromises for that sleeker shape. 

If you're comparing Audi Q3 lease deals, check the monthly difference between equivalent versions. If they're similarly priced, we'd choose the SUV for practicality or the Sportback simply because you prefer how it looks. 

Is the Audi Q3 Worth Leasing? 

The Audi Q3 is worth leasing if you want a premium SUV with enough space for family use without moving up to the larger Q5. You also have petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, so there's more choice here than with many newer SUVs. 

We'd start with the 150PS petrol for mixed driving. The diesel deserves a look if you cover serious motorway mileage, and the e-hybrid is the more interesting option if you can charge regularly. 

Don't automatically jump to S line or Black Edition either. Technik already comes with the Q3's main cabin technology, and lease pricing means a higher trim isn't always better value. 

Find All Of Our Audi Car Reviews

Browse Audi Q3 Lease Deals 

Ready to see how the numbers stack up? Compare our latest Audi lease deals to find the engine, trim and monthly payment that work best for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Audi Q3