Audi Q3 2026

The new-gen Audi Q3 is here! Well, almost. Audi is finally starting to bring its new-gen lineup of models in India, starting with the entry-level Q3, which has just been unveiled in the country. It might be the smallest car in Audi India’s portfolio, but it is a volume-driver and also a hint at what we can expect in terms of tech and design from the other new-gen cars that will follow.

The new Audi Q3 will have to rival the likes of the BMW X1 and X1 LWB as well as the Mercedes-Benz GLA. So is it the tech that is going to differentiate this Audi in the luxury segment or is what’s under the hood that will give it an edge? Let’s find out.

Over the outgoing model, this Audi Q3 feels like a genuine and proper upgrade. The car, while still ‘compact’ in size, has a very aggressive demeanour and doesn’t feel as rounded or curvy as before.

The nose of the car is almost entirely made up of the gaping grille with the four Audi rings in the middle. The LED DRLs and LED headlights are separate units, the former sitting at the edge of the bonnet while the latter have been placed in the bumper. The LED DRLs have 4 selectable lighting patterns that you can customise from the screen, and also have sequential functions. A silver skid plate down below adds a bit of contrast to the otherwise dark-theme style.

In profile, you can clearly tell that the car looks more purposeful. It sits on 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with subtle body creases around the arches and some raked contours for the side sills. The chrome on the windowline has been used generously and gives a nice contrast to the piano black pillars. It also gets silver roof rails and pull-type door handles. 

The new Audi Q3 measures 4351 mm in length, 1859 mm in width and has a height of 1623 mm. The wheelbase stands at 2681 mm.

The rear styling of the new Q3 is quite eye-catching with a slim connected LED light strip running across the width, while the LED tail lights sit above it. The illuminated Audi logo further adds to the drama, and with its overall sculpted look, the rear looks properly futuristic. 

Audi has kicked things up and taken the feel up a notch with a futuristic cabin design too. There’s nothing much in terms of the passenger-side dashboard, but the curved dual-screen display and the new four-spoke Audi steering wheel look chic. While the steering wheel looks sporty, it misses out on physical controls, which have been replaced by touch-based controls for media.

The theme is dual-tone with brown and black upholstery, but there’s a lot of piano black in the mix too. The keen observer will notice that the central console is rather free with two cupholders, and that’s because the gear shifter has been moved to the steering column. In fact, Audi has even re-invented the controls for the wipers and headlights, and this setup is now entirely unique to Audi. There are no physical controls for the AC, just some toggles below the central AC vent that control drive modes, traction, camera and idle start/stop. For climate control, you’ll have to use the screen.

It doesn’t get leatherette on the dashboard, but there’s still soft-touch material that maintains the luxury quotient of the cabin. A panoramic sunroof above rounds up the interior.

Second Row

The new Audi Q3 gets sliding and reclining rear seats to make space for occupants. Features like a dedicated climate control zone, rear AC vents and rear central armrest add to the comfort. 

The new Audi Q3 comes with the typical set of features that you’d expect from an entry-level luxury car like itself. Features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, Type-C fast charging ports, rear central armrest, keyless entry and push-button start/stop cover the basics. 

For India, ventilated seats would’ve been appreciated, but it only gets a heating function. There are three zones of climate control, however. 

As far as the screens are concerned, the main display measures 12.8 inches in size and gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The driver’s display is slightly smaller at 11.9 inches. A Sonos sound system takes care of the entertainment package. 

The 2025 Audi Q3 has a full five-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP. In terms of equipment, the car gets multiple airbags, an ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) suite, electronic stability control (ESC), all-wheel disc brakes, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), front and rear parking sensors as well as front and rear view cameras.

Unlike its rivals, the new Audi Q3 is a petrol-only offering at launch. And while the omission of a diesel engine might be a miss for a few, the people interested in the petrol engine would be happy to know that this is the biggest engine that the segment offers. It is also the only powertrain in the segment to send its power to all four wheels (Quattro). Here are the specifications:

Note: The Audi Q3 has the highest displacement and cylinders in the segment, as BMW uses a three-cylinder, 1.5-turbo, and Mercedes uses a four-cylinder, 1.3-turbo. So the Audi is the most powerful car in the segment. The Q3 is also the only one to get all-wheel drive, compared to its front-wheel driven rivals.

The Audi Q3 brings fresh life to the German carmaker’s portfolio in India with its new styling approach and new-gen tech. However, compared to its rivals, the Audi Q3 still might not push the envelope in terms of the tech and features, and certainly not by virtue of its space (BMW has the X1 LWB now); it has something far more important that can tip the decision in its favour: the powertrain. The turbo-power of the TFSI, the snappy DSG, all-wheel drive capability of the Quattro tech, and the comfortable ride quality that Audi is usually known for might just combine together and give it a package that will be the one to beat in the segment.