The 2022 Q3's compact dimensions and fastback roofline drastically reduce the available space inside compared to other crossover SUVs. But pleasing performance, exceptional fit and finish, and standard all-wheel drive make it a lot easier to overlook the lack of space.
Part of the second Q3 generation introduced for 2019
What is the Q3?
The Q3 has been a smart way to get behind the wheel of an Audi without blowing up your budget. It combines most of the goodness of the larger Q5 SUV — similar tech, convenience and safety features — in a smaller and less expensive luxury package.
The 2022 Audi Q3 comes with feature upgrades that should help it keep pace with its BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA rivals. Audi's latest infotainment system, MIB 3, comes standard and promises faster response times, expanded satellite radio content, a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices, and more nuanced voice command controls.
Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors now come standard. Previously these were only available in the optional Convenience package. For 2022, the Q3's Convenience package adds memory functions for the power-adjustable driver's seat and side mirrors. The Q3 also gets some fresh style options, such as an aluminum interior trim package and new natural wood inlays for the Premium trim level. Finally, the top Premium Plus trim now offers a 360-degree camera view.
The rest of the Q3 is pretty much unchanged. You'll like that it's roomy for its size and has a smooth and quiet ride on the highway.
Edmunds says
With its handful of updates for 2022, the Q3 should remain a compelling choice among the luxury subcompact SUVs.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
2021 Audi Q3 Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
This is my second Audi Q3, the first being a 2015. I've had many different luxury vehicles, but this car I'm keeping forever. Love the look, comfort, but most importantly the smooth ride, visibility and safe feeling I get whenever I'm driving it. The trunk holds a lot for a small SUV, the car fits in any parking space imaginable and the highway pick up while entering an 'on' ramp with … trucks coming is second to none.
Value Value Value
5 out of 5 stars
GG, 01/20/2021
2021 Audi Q3 Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Overall I love this car. My favorite features in my 2021 Premium Plus include, 360 degree camera, Upgraded sport seats, kick to open trunk, wireless phone charger, wireless Apple Car Play, integrated infotainment screen, and keyless entry and locking. I test drove the Q3, Q5, X1, X3, C300, Macan, and the Evoque. The Audi Q3 was my favorite and having the lower base price, I was able to … add many upgrades that I would not have been able to afford on the other brands. Some of my upgrades included the Black Optic package which allows you to get the Sport seats! They are beautiful and look amazing! I also included the Navigation/Technology package, Audi beam rings, 20" rims, and several others. I love being able to drive a fully loaded car instead of a base model Evoque or Macan. If you have the extra room in your budget to deck out those cars then go ahead they are beautiful! But i was very unimpressed with the base trims on both of those cars. My only complaint so far has been the poor charging quality of the wireless charger. It makes my iphone very warm, almost hot to the touch, and charges very slowly.. On a 20 minute drive I can get about 4% of charge on my iPhone 12 mini. I brought the car in to Audi to be inspected and they gave me a BS answer and told me it was working the way it should. Despite this, I would 100% recommend this car and I believe it really is the best bang for your buck.
Definite bang for the buck – with some caveats
5 out of 5 stars
JMK in TX, 04/07/2021
2021 Audi Q3 Premium Plus S line 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
We were specifically looking for a small SUV that looks good, is a reasonably recent design, and has ample features at a reasonable price. The "looking good" part disqualified both of the Benzes Edmunds has ranked higher among subcompact SUVs, and "recent design" disqualified the increasingly ancient Lexus NX. After comparing it to the X1 & RDX, we decided the Q3 was easily the best … all-around package. My biggest complaint is how scarce they are! (or at least the S-line Premium Plus 45) We live in Austin and I checked inventory levels at literally every Audi dealer in Texas; only one of them had more than 7 in stock!
I'll mention right off the bat that Edmunds' review omits a rather pertinent detail: many of the Q3s sitting on dealer lots are Q3 40s, not Q3 45s, and for good reason. I didn't even notice it myself until after we test-drove one, but the 40s (in both Premium & Premium Plus guise) have a significantly less powerful engine: a mere 184 hp and a frankly slow-as-molasses 0-60 time of 8.6 seconds. The 45s cost $2K more either way, and I *strongly* recommend them! (Btw here's the easy way to instantly tell which is which: all of the S-line models have the larger engine.)
I still have my 2016 S3, and the differences in technology between the two are amazing. The Q3 has a touchscreen interface for the latest version of its MMI system, and for the most part it's quite intuitive to use – along with having almost iPhone-level screen quality. (My S3, meanwhile, has a pop-up non-touchscreen with graphics in all of 16 colors.) I was extremely impressed with its adaptive cruise system along with its lane-keeping assistance; while it's not quite at autonomous-vehicle level, using both is extremely handy on long, monotonous drives.
Still, as some others have pointed out, its lack of certain features is curious, to say the least. Apple CarPlay only works wirelessly if you opt for the Technology Package. It has no memory settings for the seats (even the 2010 RDX we traded in had that!); no steering-wheel warmer; and heated, but not cooled, seats – and in Texas we need the latter far more than the former. While its Active Cockpit feature gives you a 3-D view of the road ahead via built-in Google Maps, you can use your phone's native navigation on the center screen, so we definitely wanted to skip that part.
Just IMO both of the smaller wheel packages look dinky, so we opted for the 20-inch rims, as well as the parking assistance package. We *really* wanted the Black Optic package as well – I have it on my S3 – but there were none, period, *anywhere* in the state except in the brashest exterior colors (orange & blue), and we already knew we wanted a gray one.
On whole, however, it's a thoroughly modern car that's surprisingly fun to drive – much more so than the first-gen Q3 we looked at a few years back. I only wish they'd introduce an SQ3 model in the US! (We get the SQ5 & SQ7, but for some reason Audi only sells the SQ3 outside the US.)
Fuel economy
4 out of 5 stars
Bob C, 05/11/2021
2021 Audi Q3 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Most reviewers say the Audi Q3 has worse gas mileage than the other luxury subcompact, but they don't tell you that the Audi Q3 uses REGULAR gas, while all the others require premium. This should be factored into the gas mileage ratings.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Audi Q3, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q3 since its last redesign.
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