2018 Audi Q3

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Rating7.0

Ranked #5 in 

Subcompact SUV
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$32,900 - $37,900
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on May 3, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

High-quality cabin

Engine feels underpowered on open roads

Prestige trim is discontinued

Comfortable and smooth ride

Tight backseat

Heated seats now standard

Quiet cabin even at highway speeds

Lack of standard safety features

New Convenience package for Premium trim

Below class average fuel economy

Infotainment controller is awkwardly placed and lacks USB interface

Specs & Features

$32,900

price

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

horsepower

207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Premium and Premium Plus are the two trim options available for the 2018 Audi Q3. This year, Audi has chosen to discontinue the Prestige trim. The Premium trim starts at $32,900 and goes all the way up to $35,800 for the Premium Plus trim. Leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats are included in the base Q3.

The 2.0-liter turbo-four engine in the 2018 Audi Q3 produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, and it is mated to a six-speed automated transmission. The EPA has given the Q3 a combined fuel economy rating of 23 mpg for FWD and AWD variants. The Audi Q3 can tow up to 2,200 pounds when properly equipped. There is 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats in position.

Buying Advice

If you are opting for the Q3, the base Premium with Convenience package adds lots of features like keyless entry and a power lift-gate. Having said that, upgrading to the Premium Plus trim is our recommendation as it adds the Convenience package features as well as blind-spot monitoring, LED headlights, and an upgraded exterior and interior trim. It is a sweet deal as there is a lot that Audi adds to the Premium Plus trim for a small price bump.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

"The stylish new 2018 Audi Q3 is the luxury brand’s smallest and least expensive SUV." - Kelley Blue Book

The Audi Q3 is not Audi's best work, it's not even their average work. It lacks in several departments and has many rivals that do way better. Q3's only advantage is its upscale interior and luxurious ride quality. Otherwise, Q3 fails to impress. 

The 2018 Audi Q3 starts at $32,900 for the base Premium trim and goes up to $35,800 for the Premium Plus trim. Leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats are included as standard on the base model. Gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance costs for the 2018 third quarter are expected to be around $28,375 for five years or $5,675 per annum.

Features
7.0/10

Premium and Premium Plus are the two trim options available for the Audi Q3. A 2-liter turbocharged I-4 engine with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque powers both versions. A 6-speed automatic transmission is mated to the engine. FWD is standard, whereas AWD (Quattro) costs a little more than $2,000 more.

For either trim, there are two feature packages to choose from. 19-inch wheels, front sport seats, variable driving modes, and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles are included in the Sport package. A navigation system with online services and a color driver information display are included in the Audi MMI Navigation Plus package.

Trim Premium Premium Plus
MSRP $32,900 $35,800
Key Features Panoramic sunroof All features of Premium, plus:
  Heated mirrors Keyless entry and ignition
  Front and rear parking sensors Power lift-gate
  Rearview camera Auto-dimming mirror
  Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-folding exterior mirrors
  Leather upholstery Auto-dimming mirror on the driver side
  Heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment Blind-spot monitoring

The Sport Plus package is unlocked by adding the Sport package to the Premium Plus, which offers sportier exterior style components and a revised wheel design. Wood inlays and a 14-speaker Bose audio system are available on the Premium Plus trim.

We Recommend

If you choose the Q3, the base Premium with Convenience package adds a number of convenience items such as keyless entry and a power liftgate. However, we recommend opting for the Premium Plus option, which includes the Convenience package as well as blind-spot monitoring, LED headlights, and enhanced exterior and interior trim.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

If you thought the underpowered engine would at least offer a decent fuel economy, be ready to be disappointed once again. The 2018 Audi Q3 is nowhere near its competitors when it comes to efficiency. Be it a city drive or a highway ride, you’d be stuck with a thirsty and lazy engine. But hey, at least you’d be sitting in a comfortable seat!

Model 2018 Audi Q3 2018 Infiniti QX30 2018 BMW X1  2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MPG (city) 20 24 23 24
MPG (highway) 28 33 32 33
MPG (combined) 23 27 26 27

With a combined economy of 23 mpg, Q3’s thirsty engine is at the bottom of the efficiency barrel. The Q3 may be Audi’s cheapest SUV, but it sure will cost you in the long run. The rest of the pack puts up competitive numbers. The Infiniti QX30 and Mercedes GLA both put up an impressive 24/33 mpg in city/hwy. The BMW also trails closely behind, with 1 mpg less in both city and highway.

Interior
7.0/10

“it's pretty clear Audi was aiming for luxury rather than performance or driver engagement with the Q3. The standard leather seats are highly adjustable and above average in terms of comfort, while the ride is soft and the cabin is kept nice and quiet” – Edmunds

The 2018 Audi Q3 still uses the old Audi design and is desperately in need of a redesign. Having said that, the old design makes the Q3’s cabin quite simple and clean. Although the instrument cluster looks good, there is no option for Audi’s virtual cockpit. There are many storage options inside. 

The shifter is traditional, and paddle shifters are only added to the sports package. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, but you have some weird and dated toggles to adjust the temperature. A panoramic moonroof comes standard. 

2018 Audi Q3 Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Audi Q3 uses standard leather seats which are available in black, rock grey, and chestnut brown colors. Premium Plus has standard aluminum color, but balsamic brown walnut is also available for $350.

12-way power-adjustable seats with 4-way lumbar support are standard on the driver’s as well as passenger’s side. The sport pack also adds thigh extensions. The Premium Plus trim also adds 3 stage heated seats.

Model 2018 Audi Q3 2018 Infiniti QX30 2018 BMW X1  2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Passenger capacity 5 5 5 5
Passenger Volume(ft.3) 106 108 101.2 104
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) 36.9/55.8/40 38.4/54.8/52.1 41.9/55.6/40.4 40/54.8/41.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) 37.4/53.6/31.1 37.5/54.8/49 39.4/55.2/37 38.2/53.1/27.3

Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Audi Q3’s cabin:

  • Dual-zone automatic climate control
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Rearview camera
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Heated side mirrors
  • 10-speaker sound system
  • Satellite radio
  • Bluetooth
  • USB port

Optional features include:

  • Proximity-key entry
  • Power lift-gate
  • Auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Bose surround sound system
  • MMI infotainment system
  • Navigation
  • LED headlights and taillights
  • Audi Side Assist

2018 Audi Q3 Infotainment

If you thought the engine and handling were Q3's Achilles' heel, prepare to be disappointed again since Q3 has even more to offer. The 2018 Audi Q3 does not come with a standard infotainment system, unlike its competitors or any vehicle these days. To add the MMI interface, you'll need to select one of the available packages.

The standard system includes a 10-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Optional upgrades include a Bose surround sound system, the MMI infotainment system, and navigation.

2018 Audi Q3 Cargo

Although the 2018 Audi Q3 is not the most luggage accommodating vehicle out there, the cargo storage is satisfactory, given the list of problems Q3 has in other departments. The cargo space with all seats up is not impressive, but once the 2nd row is folded, the Q3 provides more storage than some key rivals.

Model 2018 Audi Q3  2018 Infiniti QX30 2018 BMW X1  2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Volume behind 2nd row (cube ft.) 16.7 19.2 27.1 17.2
2nd row folded (cube ft.) 48.2 43.6 58.7 43.6

The BMW X1 is the king in cargo storage, with a maximum capacity of 58.7 Ft.3 and 27.1 Ft.3 when seats are up. The Mercedes provides a little more storage than Q3 when seats are up, but lags behind when seats are folded.

Exterior
6.0/10

When you look at the Q3 from the front, it looks quite reminiscent of the bigger Q5 and Q7. It has the new angular version of the single-frame grille. On either side of the grille, you get the headlights, which are LEDs in Premium Plus and Xenon HIDs in Premium. Down below you get the S-line, which is now standard. The S-line adds to a more aggressive look for the 2018 Audi Q3.

Model 2018 Audi Q3 2018 Infiniti QX30 2018 BMW X1  2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Curb weight (lbs) 3483 3280 3543 3296
Length (in.) 172.8 174.2 175.4 173.9
Width (in.) 72.1 82.0 71.7 71.0
Height (in.) 62.5 58.9 62.9 60.0
Ground clearance (in.) 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.6
Wheelbase (in.) 102.5 106.3 105.1 106.3
Track width (in.) F/R 61.1/61.2 61.9/61.9 61.5/61.5 61.8/61.4

When viewed from the front, Q3 doesn’t look that small. But once you look at its side profile, it’s easy to see how compact Q3 really is. From the back, it looks uncannily like a shrunken Q5. The tail lights are LEDs with dynamic turn signals in Premium Plus trim. Dual exhausts and roof-rails are standard. Premium Plus adds a rear diffuser.

Some of the exterior features include:

  • LED headlights in Premium Plus
  • Xenon HIDs in Premium
  • Heated and power adjusting side mirrors
  • Audi’s Side Assist in Premium Plus
  • 19 inch 10 spoke titanium alloy wheels in sports plus package
  • Standard 18 inch turbine alloy wheels
  • 19-inch off-road design wheels with sports package.

Safety
6.0/10

IIHS gave 2018 Audi Q3 their maximum rating of ‘Good’ in all their crash tests. The headlights, however, got a rating of Poor. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the Q3 yet.

IIHS Rating

Small Overlap Front Good
Moderate Overlap Front Good
Side Good
Roof Strength Good
Head Restraints and Seats Good

Crash prevention and mitigation

Headlights Poor
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Ease of Use Acceptable
Front Crash Prevention Not Rated

The only standard safety feature you will find in the Q3 is the rearview camera. It’s not much, but it’s worth noting that rivals like BMW X1 don’t provide any standard feature. Although BMW and Mercedes GLA have several optional safety features, Audi only adds Audi Side Assist, which is just a fancy name for blind-spot monitoring, as an upgrade.

Competition
9.0/10

Audi Q3 vs BMW X1

The BMW X1 has several advantages over the Audi Q3. They start with BMW’s powerful engine and nimble handling, Audi falls short on both accounts. BMW also has one of the most spacious cargo capacities in the segment, almost 10 cubic feet more than Audi. X1 also comes with a standard infotainment system.

Although Q3 can get an infotainment system with an additional package, it is still not as intuitive as X1’s. Audi’s ace in the hole was its luxurious cabin, but BMW one-ups Audi is this department, too. All in all, BMW X1 is just a better car than the Q3.

Audi Q3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

It’s the same story with the Mercedes. The GLA provides a better fuel economy than Q3, that too with a more powerful engine. The GLA is more fun to drive, saves more money, and handles swiftly. Both SUV’s have similar cabin and cargo space, but the Mercedes GLA has more techs and features.

The GLA comes with a standard infotainment system, available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and many more active safety techs. However, it is worth noting that Audi’s cabin is more luxurious and comfortable. So, if you are ready to sacrifice basically every aspect of a car that makes it desirable for a little extra luxury and upscale interiors, go for the Audi Q3. Or, you know, go for the Mercedes. It’s so much better than the Q3 in most departments. And come on, it’s a Mercedes! How austere can its cabin be?

Final Verdict

The Q3 is Audi’s least expensive SUV, so expecting a full-blown Audi experience is kind of a stretch from the start. But Q3 is severely underpowered and lacking in almost all aspects except for cabin quality. If it were a basic company, we’d get it. But Q3’s mediocrity is enhanced by its parentage.

No matter what aspect you choose, there is a rival who provides a better experience in that aspect, and more. There is simply not much to justify 2018’s all-around below average performance, especially in a segment that’s filled with excellent competitors.

Rivals like Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Infiniti QX30, and many more provide so much more at the same price. So, if you wanna buy an Audi Q3, just don’t. There are better options available, and if you wanna own an Audi, Audi has a plethora of better options for you.

Trims

    Premium
    $32,900 onwards
    • 60/40-Split folding rear seat
    • Ambient interior lighting
    • Automatic xenon headlights & wipers
    • Dual-Zone automatic climate control
    • Front and rear parking sensors
    • Led daytime running lights & taillights
    • Panoramic sunroof
    • Rearview camera
    Sport Premium
    $33,900 onwards
    • 19-Inch wheels
    • Front sport seats
    • Selectable driving modes
    Sport Premium Plus
    $33,900 onwards
    • Color driver information display
    • The Audi MMI Navigation
    Premium Plus
    $35,800 onwards
    • Aluminum exterior trim
    • Auto-Dimming mirror
    • Keyless entry and ignition
    • Led headlights
    • Power liftgate
    • Power-Folding exterior mirrors

Compare to similar cars

Price

$32,900- $37,900

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.96

Horsepower

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

Torque

207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$35,800- $44,000

Gasoline

7

279 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

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$41,500- $52,100

Gasoline

7.58

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,900- $35,900

Gasoline

6.77

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

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$36,400- $38,400

Gasoline

7.02

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

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$29,950- $41,400

Gasoline

6.47

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

5

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$38,600- $53,550

Gasoline

7.07

246 hp @ 5500 rpm

269 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

5

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$41,800- $65,600

Gasoline

7.33

237 hp @ 5500 rpm

251 lb.-ft. @ 1250 rpm

5

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$35,985- $39,775

Gasoline

6.71

235 hp @ 4800 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

5

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$33,355- $48,380

Gasoline

7.17

245 hp @ 5500 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2018 Audi Q3

    Ranked #8

    7.8 sec15.9 sec130 mph
    2018 BMW X2

    Ranked #1

    6.6 sec--
    2018 BMW X1

    Ranked #1

    6.6 sec15.3 sec127 mph
    6.7 sec--
    6.78 sec14.5 sec131 mph
    6.9 sec14.5 sec124 mph

    2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2018 Audi Q3

      Ranked #5

      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg16.9 gal.338/473.2 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg13.2 gal.316.8/435.6 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg13.2 gal.316.8/435.6 mi.
      2018 BMW X1

      Ranked #2

      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg16.1 gal.370.3/515.2 mi.
      2018 BMW X2

      Ranked #2

      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg16.1 gal.370.3/515.2 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.396/522 mi.

      2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2018 Audi Q3

        Ranked #10

        172.8 in.72.1 in.62.5 in.6.7 in.102.5 in.
        185.1 in.72.4 in.66.3 in.7.9 in.109.8 in.
        184.4 in.73.7 in.65 in.5.4 in.105.7 in.
        2018 Audi Q5

        Ranked #3

        183.6 in.74.5 in.65.3 in.8.2 in.111 in.
        182.3 in.73.6 in.64.8 in.6.9 in.104.7 in.
        179.2 in.73.4 in.65.2 in.9 in.105.9 in.

        2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2018 Audi Q3

          Ranked #3

          16.7 cu.ft.108.6 cu.ft.48.2 cu.ft.
          14.9 cu.ft.-41.8 cu.ft.
          20.3 cu.ft.-51 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.123.9 cu.ft.56.1 cu.ft.
          26.1 cu.ft.103.5 cu.ft.76.9 cu.ft.
          25.2 cu.ft.97.9 cu.ft.53.1 cu.ft.

          2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2018 Audi Q3

            Ranked #1

            64 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.48.2 cu.ft.-
            37.1 cu.ft.25.2 cu.ft.53.1 cu.ft.64 ft.
            38.1 cu.ft.26.1 cu.ft.76.9 cu.ft.-
            56.1 cu.ft.12 cu.ft.56.1 cu.ft.-
            94 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.41.8 cu.ft.-
            5.4 cu.ft.24.2 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.-

            2018 Audi Q3 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2018 Audi Q3

              Ranked #4

              4400 lbs.1874 lbs.3483 lbs.
              6000 lbs.997 lbs.3280 lbs.
              2018 BMW X2

              Ranked #2

              5290 lbs.899 lbs.3499 lbs.
              2018 BMW X1

              Ranked #3

              4500 lbs.899 lbs.3543 lbs.
              2018 Audi Q5

              Ranked #4

              4400 lbs.1411 lbs.4045 lbs.
              3968 lbs.1315 lbs.3865 lbs.

              2018 Audi Q3 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              24

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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