2022 Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 is a small luxury crossover vehicle that competes with the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, and Lexus NX. While the Q3 is small, it’s a lot bigger than it used to be, which is a good thing because now Audi’s smallest SUV is a more logical purchase in this competitive market niche.
How small was the previous (first gen) Q3? It was so small that sitting in the rear seats was comical for anyone taller than 5’9” or so. I’m 6’2” and I had to tilt my head to one side uncomfortably when I tried out the rear seats. Luggage space was minimal too.
The prior Q3 looked good though. It was a classic “outside-in” design job where stylists created an attractive shape and the engineers had to make do with the resulting diminutive interior. And not only was it better looking than its competitors back then, but it also looks better than its successor.
Which isn’t ugly, by the way. Boxy with all of the Audi styling elements that we’ve come to know and (mostly) love, the Mk2 Q3 is best described as a 3/4 size Q5 with some modest alterations.
That should come as no surprise as the Q5 is Audi’s best-selling vehicle, and it continues to sell strongly despite being almost completely unchanged since it launched way back in 2009. If I were in charge of Audi I’d make the Q3 look like the Q5 too.
While more spacious than the previous model, especially in the back seat where I’m now able to sit normally, the new Q3’s interior is still relatively small. Luggage space behind the rear seats is 24ft3 with the rear seats up and 48ft3 with them folded down (for the record the prior Q3 had just 17ft3 of luggage space behind the rear seats).
Realistically, if size were the only thing that mattered, then the $38,000-base-price Audi Q3 wouldn’t sell any copies at all. But size isn’t the only relevant thing in this market.
In fact, for most customers it’s all about the luxury experience. With that reality in mind, the cabin of all Audis is very nice, and that’s the case with the Q3. All of the materials that you see and touch are of higher quality than a similarly priced (and probably larger) vehicle from a mainstream manufacturer, and the gauges and controls are also better. When you sit behind the wheel of an Audi (or BMW or Mercedes or Lexus) there’s a premium feel that makes the extra money you pay worth it. And typically, you’re treated better at the dealership too. Isn’t that type of experience one of the reasons (or the reason) we work so hard as physicians? It is for me.
Anyway, driving the Q3 is pleasant but not exciting. Since the Q3 sits on the same platform as the VW Golf, everything is geared for a middle of the road driving experience not athleticism. Its sweet spot is zipping around town running errands or commuting, but B-roads are also handled well. Interstate driving is just Ok with the Q3; it’s not like it falls apart there, but the open road isn’t where the Q3 really wants to be.
Quattro All-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine are standard on every Q3. Nevertheless, two versions of that 2.0L engine are available: the base 40 model puts out 184HP, while the higher-spec 45 is good for 228HP.
The Q3’s fuel economy figures are 23 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway for the 40, and 21 City and 28 Highway for the Q3 45.
Tech-wise, Audi equips most Q3 models with an 8.8-inch touchscreen MMI infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger 10.1-inch touchscreen is also available as an option, which is what I would select. SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and a 15-speaker, and a 680-watt Sonos stereo system are also available as options.
As always with German cars, options and option packages can get complicated and expensive. The smart thing to do is keep a lid on extras and work with BCMS’ Phil Hornbeak to get your best deal.
The 2022 Audi Q3 is a compact luxury SUV that compares favorably with the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, and Lexus NX. It is certainly small, but if luxury is more important to you than size, then it merits a close look.