First Drive: 2026 Audi Q3

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Click the image to view the full Q3 review on the All-Wheel Driven Podcast

by Zach Miller

Given the popularity of crossovers these days, the Q3 is the volume selling introduction to the Audi brand for most U.S. buyers, the first step into the Audi ecosystem before moving into larger SUVs like the Q5 or Q7. That means the Q3 must strike a delicate balance; it must be accessible enough to serve as an entry point, but refined enough to feel like a genuine Audi and not a de-contented penalty box (something the previous Q3 struggled with).

For 2026, Audi has given Q3 its most significant redesign yet for its third generation. During a recent press drive in California, Audi Club got the chance to experience the new compact luxury crossover, revealing a sharper design, a noticeably updated interior, and a respectable boost in performance.

Under the hood, Audi’s familiar TFSI 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine now produces a class leading 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 27 and 22 respectively compared to the previous generation. An immediately recognizable change was that road noise, wind noise, tire noise, and especially engine noise felt dramatically reduced compared to the old Q3, partially attributed to thicker dual pane front door glass.

Another welcomed change is that the new Q3 ditches its old 8-speed Tiptronic Automatic transmission for Audi’s 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission, with standard quattro all-wheel drive. The revamped powertrain combination delivers a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds, compared to the outgoing model at over 7 seconds.

Audi has also added its new progressive steering rack, which improves handling by allowing the steering ratio to get quicker as you get closer to full lock, ultimately providing greater maneuverability during tight turns and lowering the amount of full wheel rotations needed.

Inside, the changes are immediately visible. The cabin adopts a continuous panoramic display that houses Audi’s latest virtual cockpit and MMI center touchscreen. The new interface is redesigned with faster, cleaner, and more intuitive functionality than found in the outgoing model’s aging, smaller interface. Some physical controls remain in their expected locations for more frequent functions, such as the center console mounted volume knob, mirror & window controls, and a row of plastic rocker switches near the lower dash (a noticeable direct carryover from the prior Q3’s cabin, likely to cut costs).
Material quality and diversity also improved overall, though not every design decision is perfect. The center console uses large sections of glossy piano-black trim that looks more modern but easily attracts dust, scratches, and fingerprints, although it remains an improvement over the previous model’s widespread use of hard touch plastics.

Audi’s new generation steering wheel appears in similar fashion to what we have already seen on the latest Q5 and A5 models, meaning it replaces traditional buttons with single unit haptic touch panels that feel less tactile than the physical controls they replace. The flat Audi logo placed in the center is another downgrade, looking more like a shiny decal at first glance, rather than something befitting a luxury car. The steering wheel felt like the biggest miss across the interior design and material execution, which is a shame since that is what you will be touching more than anything else in the car.

Although, one new interior feature that we left our drive praising, was the Compact Command Interface unit, debuting first on the new Q3. Despite facing significant controversy when images of the Q3 first appeared, the functionality serves as a wonderful execution of simplified ergonomics that quickly become intuitive. Basically, Audi has combined three column mounted stalks into one unbroken switchgear unit that hugs the top half of the steering column, extending behind the 9 and 3 positions of the steering wheel. Within mere inches of your fingers, you can access the gear selector, turn signals, and front & rear wiper controls. Not only is it easy to adopt, but each input delivers wonderfully satisfying feedback, inclusive of notchy adjustments with appropriate weight and soothing clicks. For now, the Compact Command unit is only in the Q3, but we found ourselves turning on the wipers just for pure tactical enjoyment. Audi, please give us more of this and less haptics!

As for the exterior, the new Q3 is modernized, with a wider grille, slimmer lighting elements, and a full-width rear LED light signature (plus a light up Audi logo when the headlights are on). However, while the design is clean, it is perhaps less distinctive than some earlier Audi models. The overall silhouette is familiar, but not necessarily because it looks distinctly Audi, more so because it looks like a combination of several other designs spread across the broader crossover market. The lighting design signatures clearly align with the latest Audi Q products, specifically the Q5, and the split rear lights take inspiration from the newest Audi A6.

Starting at $43,700 before optional packages, the overall refinement and substantial performance improvement feels befitting of the Q3’s modest $3,900 price increase. The value proposition becomes stronger when you factor in Audi’s standard 3-year complimentary maintenance and that the Q3 can run comfortably on regular grade gasoline.

The 2026 Q3 is more powerful, more technologically sophisticated, and more refined than the model it replaces. It’s a compact luxury SUV that now feels much closer to the rest of Audi’s lineup, and further from the negative connotation of “entry level luxury”. If this is Audi’s starting point for the new generation Q3, then I certainly hope there’s a chance of seeing an SQ3, or maybe, if we’re lucky, Audi will give American buyers a new RS Q3!

To dive deep into our full first-drive impressions of the Q3, check out the video review on our YouTube channel and look for the full article in our next issue of quattro magazine.

▶️ Watch the full review below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube | Spotify

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