2026 Audi Q3
Overview
German engineering has always been about more than precision. It’s about how every detail comes together to create a driving experience that feels intuitive, refined, and unmistakably premium. With the arrival of the 2026 Audi Q3, that philosophy is on full display. This latest evolution of Audi’s compact luxury SUV blends best-in-class performance with a bold new design language, delivering a vehicle that feels just as dynamic as it looks.
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Quick Specs
- MSRP – Starting at $43,700
- Engine – 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder
- Transmission – 7-speed S tronic®
- Drivetrain – quattro® all-wheel drive
- Power – Up to 255 horsepower; 273 pound-feet of torque
Who’s It For?
Do you have kids, or plan to have children in the future? The 2026 Audi Q3 is a fantastic family car. It’s packed with standard safety features, including front emergency brake assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure warning with emergency assist. Creature comforts look to keep all passengers happy, ranging from Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the available SONOS premium sound system, which boasts twelve high-performance speakers featuring 420 watts of amplifier power. It’s never been easier for your cabin mates to dazzle you with their sublime music tastes (so, perhaps choose your passengers wisely).
But the Q3 isn’t solely a fantastic all-around family vehicle. It’s also a dynamic performer on the road, offering improved driving dynamics over the outgoing 2025 model, with increased horsepower and torque (255 HP and 273 lb. ft. of torque). This, combined with its standard steel suspension, makes for a pleasant experience every time you get behind the wheel.
What’s New for 2026?
The headlining change for 2026 is the all-new Q3’s performance boost. The engine is upgraded to a new 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder, and there is a new S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for even smoother handling. More on that in a bit.
The benefits of the new 2026 Audi Q3 are not limited to the powertrain. On the exterior, newly designed full LED headlights are now standard. And on the interior, storage capacity has been increased, ballooning to 29 cu. ft of trunk space and approximately 50 cu. ft. of space when the second-row seats are folded down. There is also a new UX on the 12.8-inch MMI touch display and the 11.9-inch instrument cluster, and maps have been added back to the virtual cockpit.
Real World Performance
We haven’t been shy about trumpeting the performance improvements in the all-new 2026 Audi Q3, but let’s dive a bit deeper.
The new 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder gas engine and S tronic 7-speed dual-clutch transmission together produce 255 HP and 273 pound-feet of torque. This represents a boost of 27 more HP and 22 more lb.-ft. of torque versus the outgoing engine. Additionally, the 2026 Q3 achieves a 5.5-second 0 to 60 MPH time, which is an improvement of 1.6 seconds over the previous Q3 S model. Audi says it is also the quickest of its “direct competitors.”
Key Features (Standard & Available)
Interior Comfort and Technology
- 12.8-inch MMI touch display
- 11.9-inch instrument cluster
- Split-folding 40/20/40 rear seats
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- Available SONOS premium sound system
- LED interior lighting
- Audi assistant
Safety and Driver Assistance
- Parking system plus w/ distance display
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure warning w/ emergency assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Attention and fatigue warning
- Front emergency brake assist
- Swerve assist
- Front turn assist
- Front cross-traffic assist
Alternative Options
Drivers who like the new Q3 but want more space and features should explore the recently updated Q5. For those who want an EV SUV with a similar style and prestige, the Audi Q4 e-tron is perfect. Not sure yet? The Audi Silver Spring can find exactly what you and your family need. Just contact us online or take a look at our current inventory.
