Now in its third generation, the Audi Q3 has continued to grow in popularity on the world stage since it first appeared back in 2011. Once considered the ‘baby’ of the Audi Q range, it has grown in stature and accomplishment ever since, the original model paving the way for a luxury SUV with premium qualities before the second generation arrived in Australia in 2019 and upped the game significantly.

This new Q3 SUV is an even more muscular model that introduces the new Audi brand architecture both inside and out, as well as employing greater levels of technology, safety and driver assistance in a vehicle that appeals across a broad correction of Audi customers.

That it is classified as a ‘compact’ model has long been a gripe, given its dimensions and ability to carry up to five adults in comfort and towing capacity of up to 2100kg, but that is nothing more than an industry classification and not an apt description. 

The new Q3 again delivers a spacious and beautifully executed interior as well introducing the new interior design layout and technology from the larger models. In Europe it will be offered with an entry-level TFSI powerplant featuring mild-hybrid technology, as well as a TDI power plant – both delivering 110kW, as well as an e-hybrid model outputting 200kW. New suspension delivers an even more engaging driving experience and new technology likewise builds on the overall driver experience and safety, including including Matrix LED headlights that use micro-LED modules for the first time on Q3.

Visually the design of the new Q3 SUV is even more robust than its predecessor with the new, narrower Matrix LED headlights giving the front end a more aggressive look. Its design nevertheless achieves a drag co-efficient of 0.30 cd which also serves to improve acoustic comfort for passengers, something that is further improved through the addition of acoustic glazing for the front side windows – the first Audi model in the compact segment to do so.

There are 11 colour exterior colours on offer for the new Q3, starting with the solid finish Arkona white and on through metallic colours Glacier white, Mythos black, Arrow grey, Navarra blue and Progressive red as well as new colours Sage green and Madiera brown. Madeira brown as a matte finish is in fact exclusive to the new Q3 while Daytona grey metallic is reserved for S line equipped cars while Tambour grey is available for the advanced line.

To that end, the S line equipment with differentiated front and rear bumpers in selenite silver is available as an option and the exterior can also be ordered with a black exterior package.

Wheels start from 17-inches and of up to 20-inch, with additional aerodynamic wheel designs measuring 18 and 19-inches are also available.

Lighting plays a key role in the look of the new Q3 with key features and technology offered for the first time by Audi in the compact segment. The use of micro-LEDs is a first for the Q3 and results not only in superior light but greater flexibility, from customisable daytime running lights to improved light guidance features.

Features such as the lane guidance and orientation lights are now much more closely linked to the driver assistance systems in the vehicle and display important information into the driver’s field of vision on the road in front of the vehicle.

A new feature sees the active warning light from the lane change assist now reflected in the lane light on highways if the Q3 driver wants to change lanes while a vehicle is in its blind spot. Likewise where road markings are not clear, such as in road works, the digital Matrix LED headlights automatically adjust the light guidance by switching to orientation light to make it easier to remain in the right lane.

In addition, customers will be able to select up to four digital light signatures with customised coming/leaving home lighting scenarios depending on the Q3 specification level, while optional OLED rear lights will be available complemented by a continuous LED strip and the illuminated Audi rings.

Inside, a total of nine interior packages are available, featuring a wide range of sustainable materials from fast-growing, resilient wood, to recycled materials used in upholstery. The velvet floor matts are made from Econyl, which is a completely recycled fibre made from old fishing nets and industrial cast offs, while interior elements in Impressum cloth are made from 100 percent recycled polyester. Despite the origins of many of these materials, they have been reborn into a new, premium application and deliver to the accepted Audi standard.

The new model sees the introduction of the brand’s new ‘Softwrap’ treatment to the dash area, from door to door, which highlights the sense of space as well as providing a new backdrop for dash layout and equipment. 

With the 11.9-inch instrument cluster and the 12.8-inch MMI touch forming the digital stage, the driver and front passenger can monitor and control all vehicle systems from car functions to the infotainment systems and climate control. For the driver, a head-up display shows all important vehicle information at a glance, while a new steering control unit gives a new user experience and integrates two new steering columns for the first time, creating even more space. With gear selector on one side and light functions and windscreen wipers on the other, space is freed up for the storage of small items. The elimination of the gear selector in the centre console allows for cup holders and the addition of a cooled inductive charging tray with 15 watts of charging power including two USB-C ports – with another two USB-C ports provided for those in the rear seats.

Indeed where the rear seats are concerned, practicality is as important as comfort, with adjustment available to enhance passenger comfort as well as increase storage space when not occupied. The 488 litre storage capacity becomes 575 litres when the rear seat is slid forward and placed in the upright position, while that same space increases to 1386 litres when the seat is folded down. The seat can also be moved lengthwise and its angle adjusted when passengers are in the vehicle.

Various lighting packages including ambient lighting allow the owner to change the feel of the cabin after dark at the touch of a control, with up to 30 different colours to choose from in some options, as well as indirect ambient light which illuminates the MMI panoramic display and the door interiors.

Indeed  a new design element sees the front door inlays now optionally available with a mesmerising pattern laser cut into the surface and backlit with dramatic effect.

A new optional SONOS sound system provides 3D sound to the beautifully executed interior, boasting 420 watts and 12 high-performance speakers and offering four preconfigured sound profiles. Customers also have the option of expanding their sound experience with additional features that can be added via Functions on Demand.

The powerplants at launch cover both petrol and diesel options as well as hybrid plug-in electric drive. The entry level model sports the 1.5-litre petrol with 110kW of power and featuring mild-hybrid technology all mated to a seven-speed S tonic transmission. With cylinder on demand technology, it is able to shut down two of its four cylinders when not in use for extraordinary fuel economy. A TDI variant also with 110kW of power and front-wheel drive will also offer tremendous fuel economy.

A more powerful quattro unit with 150kW and 320Nm of torque will be introduced at a later date while the top internal combustion option will sport 195kW and 400Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre TFSI power plant and quattro drive.

A plug-in hybrid model combines an electric motor with 85kW and 330Nm of torque to the TFSI engine for a combined system output of 200kW and 400Nm of torque. This delivers up to 120km of all-electric range (WLTP test cycles) and charging from 10 to 80 percent in less than half an hour in ideal conditions.

Suspension has also been revised to deliver the very best driving experience both for the every day and trips away from the city. With steel-spring suspension, sports suspension and units with two-wave damper control, all levels of performance are catered for at launch.

The suspension with damper control continuously reacts to the characteristics of the road surface and conditions, while also taking into account the steering inputs, braking and acceleration. The twin-valve dampers also accentuate the difference between comfort and dynamic settings, while an optional progressive steering system further improves handling as well as providing tremendous feedback to the driver.

The new Q3 SUV also features a raft of safety and driver assistance systems, including a number of new innovations. In addition to the familiar systems such as lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, the new Q3 offers the likes of the optional emergency assistant for the first time, a system which can now take over command of the vehicle if the driver no longer reacts, driving it to the road shoulder.

The Q3 also features an interior camera which monitors the driver for signs of drowsiness and the trained parking feature allows customers to ‘teach’ their Q3 to perform individual parking manoeuvres – particularly useful if access to and from garages is difficult.

Once again the Q3 SUV represents a comprehensive offering, a beautifully balanced vehicle that delivers on premium quality, driving dynamics and supreme versatility. That it has enjoyed such outstanding success to date with over two million sales world wide comes as now surprise and the new generation only building on that legacy.

While the new Q3 will hit European roads towards the end of 2025, their Australian release and specification is yet to be confirmed at time of writing.