Audi Q3 SUVOTY Review: Questions of Value and Refinement
The new Q3 makes a statement with design and dynamics, but we only like some of what it’s saying.
Pros
- Engaging design inside and out
- The teal Malpelo Blue color
- Good back seat
Cons
- Too loud
- Drivetrain refinement issues
- Ride could be better
“You paid how much?” a friend says about your new 2026 Audi Q3. “Gosh, you could’ve had a loaded VW Tiguan with money to spare.” True, but also irrelevant. Buyers of subcompact luxury SUVs like the reimagined Q3 know they spend more and get less space, but they don’t care. That’s not the point.
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What makes the Q3 such an interesting 2027 SUV of the Year contender is the way it indulges in design. Although this luxury SUV may not be for you, it definitely has a point of view. The Q3 plays in a crowded segment, and this is going to be the first time many experience Audi. It made a positive first impression. “This is a massive improvement over the last Q3,” features editor Christian Seabaugh said. “It looks and feels like a much more premium car.”
The same is true inside, where a large screen is aggressively angled toward the driver. Trim choices inspired conversation among MotorTrend editors, and many found the back seat sufficiently spacious. In this segment, that’s more of a bonus than a given.
Otherwise, we were split on the Audi. Some found it quick and responsive, while others noticed turbo lag, making it hard to pull away smoothly. Similarly, the suspension was compliant, except others found the opposite was true depending on the driving situation. The touchscreen was lauded for its crisp graphics, but it doesn’t maximize the display when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Beyond design, one 2026 Audi Q3 trait united almost every judge: noise.
“There is way, way too much suspension, tire, road, and wind noise for something that costs 50 grand,” editorial director Erik Johnson said. Technical director Frank Markus agreed: “It seems louder in here than in any other car out here. I think that is the single biggest failing of the Q3.”
Luxury SUV buyers may be willing to pay for the status of a premium badge and sacrifice interior space compared to a similarly priced mainstream car, but we believe many will notice this Q3’s refinement issues.
In addition, its dual-clutch transmission made it tough for some to drive smoothly, and not everyone found the engine sound befitting the badge. We can almost guarantee that some owners will think about this before they decide whether to purchase another Audi at the end of a Q3 lease.
Substance is important, but when you put it all together, the look and feel of luxury is arguably more important in this segment than for larger luxury SUVs. Just compare this design to the more conservative Q5 to see what we mean.
After the 2026 Audi Q3’s narrow victory over the Acura ADX in a comparison, we still believe the German luxury SUV makes a great first impression. It’s what happens when you live with it every day that makes the Audi merely a decent option in a large field of competitors.
