2022 Audi Q3

The second-generation Audi Q3 came onto the scene in 2019 substantially revamped to keep it relevant in a market segment quite literally booming with desirable subcompact crossover choices. BMW's X1, with a powerful four-pot engine and enjoyable handling, competes with the four-ringed SUV, which offers you a choice between two power plants for 2022. The base engine is a 2.0-liter four-banger with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, which is rather underwhelming. In 45 TFSI configuration, you get a slight bump up in specs to 228 hp and 258 lb-ft for a seven-second sprint to 60 mph; this isn't truly thrilling by any manner of means, although with a reasonable starting price, loads of standard tech, and a carefree-cruising attitude, there's lots to be said for the Q3. But, with less traditional rivals like the surprisingly sprightly Volvo XC40 starting to grab attention, the Q3 may have to work a little harder to remain near the top.

We're fans of how Audi styles its cars, and the Q3 follows that classy, sophisticated ethos while still offering little hints of athleticism. Both available trims are fairly similar, rolling on 18-inch wheels - with bigger items available. Premium models get aluminum roof rails, a tailgate roof spoiler, LED head- and taillights, dynamic turn signals, rear fog lights, and a panoramic sunroof. Premium Plus models add an auto-dimming function to the exterior mirrors and upgrade the exterior lighting to full LEDs with daytime running lights.

The Audi Q3 SUV is a subcompact luxury crossover that measures up in dimensions to the BMW X1. The total length of the Q3 is 176.6 inches, which is just over an inch longer than the BMW. Height comes in at 62.9 inches. The total width with the mirrors folded outwards is 79.7 inches, and it's stretched over a 105.5-inch wheelbase.

At nearly 200 pounds heavier than the heftiest X1, the Q3's curb weight is 3,916 lbs.

The Audi Q3 SUV is a subcompact luxury crossover that measures up in dimensions to the BMW X1. The total length of the Q3 is 176.6 inches, which is just over an inch longer than the BMW. Height comes in at 62.9 inches. Total width with the mirrors folded outwards is 79.7 inches, and it's stretched over a 105.5-inch wheelbase.

At nearly 200 pounds heavier than the heftiest X1, the Q3's curb weight is 3,916 lbs.

For what a subcompact SUV is intended for, the power plant at the heart of the Q3 is sufficient - but only just. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged unit with 184 hp and 221 lb-ft that requires 8.6 seconds to cross the 60 mph mark. The 45 TFSI S line models do much better, with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft for slightly more assertive take-offs - these models can do 0-60 mph in seven seconds, which is still quite a bit behind the 6.6 seconds of the FWD and the 6.3 of the AWD BMW X1. In both cases, the top speed is 130 mph. Every model is equipped with Audi's quattro AWD system. Although the Q3 isn't overly enthusiastic when you press the accelerator initially, once it's on the move, it feels good, especially with the more potent engine. Audi does not provide a towing capacity, unfortunately.

There's only a single engine and transmission available to the 2022 Audi Q3 models, but it can be had in two states of tune. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque in the base models, indicated as the '40 TFSI' models. We prefer the slightly more assertive '45' motor, which is good for 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. On paper, this setup sounds fairly promising, but out in the real world, we encountered some issues. From a standstill, or while driving slowly through city or suburban traffic, the Q3 is a little slow to react to throttle inputs. It suffers from turbo lag low down in the rev range, which can get frustrating at times. Once on the boil, the Q3 offers strong performance, and highway cruising and overtaking is done without issue. We love the eight-speed automatic, which always does a good job of keeping the Q3 in its optimum powerband without feeling jerky and unrefined. Competitors such as the BMW X1 are quicker off the line and feel more robust, but the average driver will find very little to fault here.

People buying in this segment aren't looking for a track-day champion, but they're also not interested in driving a wallowy slush-bucket. Modern compact SUVs are expected to handle like their sedan counterparts, and this is one area in which the crossover Audi Q3 brings the heat. The Q3 is beautifully damped for both slow speeds and harsh road surfaces, and high-speed cruising on highways. We found that it soaks up small and medium mid-corner bumps with aplomb. The electrically-assisted steering feels typically light to the touch, but it's fast and gives the Q3 a pointy feel that is reminiscent of other smaller Audi models. On a twisty road, the Q3 flexes its abilities and feels planted and sure of itself. It handles like its bigger siblings, which isn't a bad thing at all. Braking is confident and true; there's good brake feel, and the biting point is, well, on point. Push this little SUV too hard, and it will naturally understeer, but drive it like a sane person, and it will reward you with a refined driving experience.

Fuel economy is another big selling point when it comes to the subcompact segment - people expect SUV benefits with the gas mileage figures of a much smaller car. The Audi Q3 manages to keep the fuel bills reasonable by utilizing a small-capacity four-cylinder engine; it provides good power, but when driven with a light foot will return average gas mileage for its class.

The EPA gives gas mileage figures of 23/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined for the base spec, while the 45 models are slightly thirstier at 21/28/24 mpg. With a fuel tank size of 15.9 gallons, the Q3 should be able to travel between 380 and 413 miles before needing to refuel. Those are not quite hybrid numbers, though, and the BMW X1 in AWD guise will still do a bit better at 23/31/26 mpg or up to 27 mpg combined when it is specified in FWD guise.

The new Q3 is a testament to the manufacturer improving its product in response to feedback from buyers who wanted a more natural driving position and more user-friendly cockpit layout. The Q3 is improved in this sense, and boasts higher quality materials than before, making it a plush little cruiser to spend time in. The Audi Q3's interior room is good in the front but gets understandably tighter in the rear, which isn't a failing of the Q3 and is par for the course in this segment. Still, the seats, both front and back, are really comfortable with leather as standard. Three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and heating for the front perches are included from the base model.

There is space for five adults inside the new Audi Q3, but as is expected for the subcompact segment, the middle seat at the back is a bit of a squeeze. There's enough headroom and legroom up front for taller occupants, but the back seat may become a little cramped on longer journeys for those who have a height advantage. Getting in and out is relatively simple thanks to a user-friendly ride height and doors that open widely.

The driver gets a prime position without sitting so high that they feel like they're piloting a bus. Visibility out the front and sides is good, but less so when looking out the rear, necessitating the use of the backup camera.

One of Audi's strong suites is elegant, comfortable cabins that don't overdo gaudiness. The interior materials in the Audi Q3 feel premium with leather upholstery from even the entry-level model. 40 TFSI models come with a choice of Black, Okapi Brown, or Pearl Beige leather on the seats with a headliner in Black matched to the first two options, or Lunar Silver for the Pearl Beige option. Aluminum Spectrum inlays that were previously optional are now standard on all trims, while all trims can have Brown-Gray Natural Wood matte inlays for $250 extra. An aluminum interior package is standard.

45 TFSI S line models get more options to choose from, namely Black with Rock Gray stitching, or Rotor Gray leather with Anthracite stitching. These also come with the aluminum interior package already included, which includes mirror switches, window controls, parking brake, door handle pull clips, and door trims being finished in aluminum.

Cargo and trunk space is one of the most essential elements to any SUV: the more you can fit in the back, the more value you're receiving from the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Q3 is a car that doesn't impress much when it comes to trunk and cargo space, especially when compared to its rival, the BMW X1. Behind the rear seats, you get 23.7 cubic feet of space, which is useful enough but pales in comparison to the 27.1 cubic feet available in the X1. With the sliding, split-folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks out of the way, the Q3 offers 48 cubic feet - more than enough space to accommodate two Labradoodles.

In terms of small-item storage, the Q3 has a small nook in front of the shifter, bordered by two cup holders. You also get a glove box, center console storage bin, and door pockets front to back. In the rear, there's also an adjustable cargo floor with underfloor storage, and a storage compartment under the front passenger's seat.

Considering the price of the Audi Q3, the features list is pretty impressive. You get three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, leather seating surfaces, heated eight-way power front seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver, as well as a tilt and telescopic manually adjustable steering column, all from the entry spec model. Driver aids include Audi pre sense front with pedestrian detection, pre sense basic, a rearview camera, lane departure warning, progressive steering, and cruise control. The Premium Plus builds on this by adding driver's seat memory and keyless start, stop, and entry, with a hands-free tailgate. The safety suite is fleshed out with Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic jam assist, Audi pre sense city, and front and rear acoustic parking sensors. A LED ambient lighting package is standard on top-end models only, but front and rear parking sensors are now standard on all trim. Only the Premium Plus gets a top-view camera.

Both the Premium and Premium Plus are equipped with a 10.25-inch driver-info display and an 8.8-inch touch response infotainment display, which sits a bit low in the dashboard for our liking. All trims come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Audi's infotainment setup includes two front USB ports and Bluetooth streaming. The standard sound system consists of ten speakers with a 180-watt amplifier. The Premium Plus adds Audi's Phone Box with wireless charging. Enhancements to the sound system can only be made by means of the Technology Package, which - at $2,700 - adds a premium Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, and Audi's virtual cockpit with 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster. The catch is that it can only be equipped to the Premium Plus model, so you'd best skip over the base trims if you want the best in this regard.

While the 2022 Audi Q3 has not had any mechanical reliability issues in terms of recalls in the USA thus far, the 2021 model was recalled for a seat belt locking retractor malfunction.

Audi covers the new Q3 with a standard four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a 12-year corrosion warranty, a four-year/50,000-mile drivetrain warranty, as well as four years of roadside assistance.

The NHTSA subjected the 2022 Audi Q3 to review for safety and deemed it worthy of a full five stars overall, with the same rating applied to side crash tests. Frontal crash and rollover tests yielded four out of five stars. The IIHS' 2021 review of the SUV was equally as positive, with all six crashworthiness evaluations returning top scores of Good - results that should carry over to the 2022 model. It's worth noting that the agency felt the LATCH child seat restraint system was so user-friendly in the Q3 that it scored above average - which is ideal for a family vehicle such as this.

All Q3s come standard with six airbags and the option to add additional protection in the form of rear-passenger side airbags, which will add $350 to your total bill. The standard safety fare across the range includes cruise control, light/rain sensors, LED exterior lights and rear fog lights, high beam assist, Audi pre sense front with pedestrian detection, pre sense basic, a rearview camera, and lane departure warning. Choosing the Premium Plus trim adds keyless entry with keyless start and stop, Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, Audi pre sense city, and front and rear parking assist. Most of the top-end features found on the Premium Plus can be added on to the base model by means of the $1,700 Convenience Package. Finally, a top-view camera system is standard on the Premium Plus.

Forming an opinion on the Q3 is actually pretty easy. Firstly, it looks better than ever. We love the trapezoidal grille and sleek LED headlights, and with the S line kit on board, it looks aggressive yet stylish. On the road, and equipped with the 45 TFSI engine, the Q3 is a satisfying little SUV to drive. It is beautifully damped and shows top-class refinement on the road. The powerplant isn't mind-blowing, but if you expect the turbo lag and don't have any desire to burn rubber, it'll be more than adequate for city driving and the day-to-day hustle. Although the Q3 fails to offer as much cargo space as rivals such as the BMW X1, the cabin is comfortable and classy. Starting at around $35k, the Q3 is well-priced for what it has to offer. It's a great package which you can't help but like.

The cost of the Audi Q3 for 2022 is as low as $35,900 if you don't count taxes, registration, and a destination fee of $1,095. That's for the 40 TFSI Premium. The price of the 45 TFSI Premium version goes up to $38,200. The top-end Premium Plus goes for an MSRP of $39,200 with the base engine, and $41,500 when you opt for the 45 TFSI. Now could also be a good time to look for a used 2021 model for sale.

The 2022 Audi Q3 range comprises two trims, Premium and Premium Plus. Both come as standard in 40 TFSI spec with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine developing 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and both can be upgraded to 45 TFSI spec with a more powerful version of the same engine producing 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. All models share the same eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro AWD system.

The base Premium trim has 18-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lights with auto headlights and high-beam assist, and a panoramic sunroof. Standard features inside include a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, leather-upholstered seats, eight-way powered and heated front seats, and three-zone climate control. The infotainment system uses an 8.8-inch touchscreen and incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver-assistance features include cruise control and Audi pre sense forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, as well as Audi pre sense basic, parking sensors front and rear, and a backup camera.

At the flagship Premium Plus level, self-leveling headlights and heated, automatically dimming rear-view mirrors are added. This trim also gets keyless start, stop, and entry, as well as a frameless interior rear-view mirror that automatically dims and incorporates a compass. A garage door opener and LED interior lighting package are standard too. On the safety front, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, as well as Audi side assist and rear cross-traffic alert are added.

When the more powerful 45 TFSI version of either trim is specified, it comes with a different style of 18-inch alloy wheel and gives access to two additional interior color schemes.

The options list is not particularly extensive this year. Premium models can be equipped with the Convenience Package, which is priced at $1,450 and includes keyless start, stop, and entry, a hands-free tailgate, an upgraded alarm system, Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror, LED interior lighting, driver's seat memory, and SiriusXM.

Premium Plus models get the good stuff, with an available Technology Package for $2,700, which will add Audi's Virtual Cockpit (including a 12.3-inch LCD digital instrument cluster), a larger 10.1-inch infotainment display with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, traffic sign recognition, and a top-end Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

A LED interior lighting package costs $150 and matte-finish brown-gray wood inlays is available to replace the aluminum trim for $250. The $1,700 Black Optic Sport package adds 19-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and S line sport seats and is only available on the 45 TFSI Premium Plus model. All 2022 Audi Q3 models can get rear passenger side airbags for $350.

Before even considering which trim to look at, the important decision is centered on which engine to go for. Those who prioritize gas mileage figures will be happy with the base 40 TFSI engine but will have to contend with slow take-offs and a little lethargy overall. We'd take the fuel economy hit and go for the 45 TFSI - and we'd go all-in for the Premium Plus trim too, purely because it unlocks the option to add all the available tech by means of the options list. Adding the Technology Package for the Virtual Cockpit, navigation, and upgraded sound system brings the total build cost to $44,245, including destination, and allows you to add a premium metallic color and some nice rims without breaking the $45k mark.

One size up, the Audi Q5 is still on the smaller end of the crossover spectrum but competes with cars such as the BMW X3, meaning there is certainly more space on offer as opposed to the Q3. The Q5 has been one of Audi's most popular Q models thanks to a great balance of size, power, and luxury. Under the hood of the Q5, you will find a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 261 hp and 273 lb-ft. A pricier plug-in hybrid version of the Q5 is also available. Power is, as in the Q3, sent to all four wheels. The Q5 might be the larger car, but performance is impressive, and the Q5 doesn't struggle to get up to speed - it manages the dash to 60 mph in only 5.7 seconds. On the road, the Q5 feels great, and the optional adaptive suspension means that this car can be even more comfortable than the Q3. Gas mileage figures are a solid 23/28/25 mpg city/highway/combined, which is an improvement over the 45 TFSI powertrain in the Q3. As though we needed more convincing, the Q5 is obviously more spacious both for passengers and for cargo. Still, we feel the Q3 has the more updated cabin. Starting at $44,100, the Q5 is more than $9k dearer than the Q3. If you didn't need the additional space or performance, we reckon you'd be happy with the Q3. But, if you have the budget, stretch for the Q5.

The BMW X1 is the Q3's biggest rival and both begin at almost exactly the same price, although the base X3 has FWD. But, the little Bimmer brings a whole bunch of tricks to the party to, in certain areas, outdo its countryman. Powering the X1 is a 2.0-liter turbo-four with identical specs to the 45 TFSI. The catch is that the X1 manages the benchmark sprint in a much quicker 6.6 seconds in FWD guise, dropping to 6.3 with AWD. The X1 not only offers better acceleration, but its gas mileage figures are much more impressive too; in AWD guise, the EPA says it will manage 23/31/26 mpg to the Q3 45 TFSI's 21/28/24 mpg. On the road, the BMW also feels more dynamic to drive. The interior is of high quality, and there's a comparable amount of tech dotted around the cabin, but there's also more space inside the Bimmer, and the trunk is significantly larger, which is a big deal in this class. If it were our money, we'd go with the BMW.