Name: Audi Q3 (2025 onwards) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Audi Q3
Rating: 67.0

Audi Q3 (2025 – present) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Audi Q3 is a mid-sized SUV and ‘Sportback’ coupé-SUV range, sitting above the smaller Q2 and larger Q5 in Audi’s model line-up. This is the third-generation Q3 – arriving in Summer 2025 – which is offered with pure-petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid power.

Built on the same foundations as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan, The latest iteration of the Q3 has had a solid reviewer reception in the UK, picking up review scores ranging from above average to good, with particular praise for its practical interior, classy cabin finish, refined driving experience and Audi’s class-leading on-board tech offering.

“In almost all of the areas it needs to, the new Audi Q3 excels”, says Jordan Katsianis of Auto Express. “I wouldn’t say any it is especially engaging to drive, but it always feels impressively composed and well-rounded – not something you can say about most of its rivals.”

Top Gear’s Stephen Dobie offers up similar praise, explaining that the Q3 is everything an Audi should be; “comfy interior, tidy if uninvolving dynamics, and a generous choice of engines and power sources”, concluding that the Audi is a “solid, safe bet.”

While a few outlets mark the car down for road noise, a lack of infotainment physical buttons and switches and thirsty pure petrol engines, the biggest drawback cited by motoring journalists is the price. The Motoring Research team points out that “only one version dips below £40,000”, and “many desirable features are extra-cost options”.

As of December 2025, the Audi Q3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. Beyond the Audi’s positive set of review scores and its full five-star Euro NCAP safety credentials, this overall rating is hindered by higher-than-average estimated running costs.

Q3 highlights

Practical and tech-laden interior
Refined handling and ride quality
Attractive exterior looks and interior finish
Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating

Q3 lowlights

Price list gets rather expensive
Thirsty entry-level petrol engines
Previous Q3 model had a bigger boot
Not particularly exciting to drive

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV and coupé-SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £38,300 on-road

Launched: Summer 2025
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The new Audi Q3 blends stylish looks with practicality and a good range of engines – but the interior doesn’t feel as solid as the old car.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

“The Audi Q3 doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, but it does significantly improve on most key metrics; the plug-in hybrid is particularly compelling.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Jordan Katsianis

More reviews

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Audi Q3 is much more stylish and sharper to drive than its predecessor, but faces stiff competition from cheaper VW and Cupra relatives.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi hasn’t built the most exciting SUV in the world, but it has built one of the most complete. The Q3 is refined, classy and endlessly polished. Its styling might be a little too safe, and the steering won’t thrill keen drivers, but as an everyday premium SUV it nails the brief.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Model reviewed: Q3 Sportback range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 Sportback looks sharper than the regular Q3, feels more fashionable and carries plenty of brand cachet. Yet the compromises are obvious. You get less rear headroom, a smaller boot, and driving dynamics that lag behind the badge’s promise. For some, none of that will matter – they’ll buy with their eyes. For others, the regular Q3 SUV is the more balanced, rounded car. The Sportback is therefore a niche choice, but a well-executed one if image is your top priority.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Electrifying.com

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Audi Q3 e-hybrid gets a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a longer electric range than most rivals, not to mention an impressively hi-tech interior. But is that enough to justify a price that makes the equivalent BMW X1 plug-in hybrid look cheap, and is in the same territory as a Tesla Model Y?”
Author: Vicky Parrott
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Some of the interior trim feels quite cheap, and the ride isn’t as comfortable as we’d like. The engine line-up is impressive, though, and the increase in range for the PHEV is very welcome.”
Author: Matt Robinson
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“This generation of Audi Q3 feels like a step backwards from its predecessor in some regards, with the BMW X1 being better in most areas. The engine line-up is great, though, and the plug-in hybrid version comes with a useful uplift in electric-only range.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The 2025 Audi Q3 is an accomplished family SUV that feels a cut above mainstream rivals. Its bold styling is an acquired taste, but a roomy interior, comfortable ride and efficient engines – particularly the new e-Hybrid – all count in its favour.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q3 isn’t thrilling, but it is refined, polished and reassuringly premium. Comfortable to drive, classy inside and strong across its engine range, it’s one of the most convincing small SUVs you can buy today.”
Author: Keith Adams
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Q3 nails everything an Audi SUV should be: comfy interior, tidy if uninvolving dynamics, and a generous choice of engines and power sources.”
Author: Stephen Dobie
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 87%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 80%
Safety assist: 78%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2025, the third-generation Audi Q3 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	38 mpg	D
Diesel models	51 mpg	C
Plug-in hybrid models	143 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	173 g/km	D
Diesel models	146 g/km	C
Plug-in hybrid models	45 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	68 miles	D

The Audi Q3 is a relatively affordable car to own and run when compared to the mid-sized SUV market at large, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The estimated average fuel consumption of petrol-only models – 38mpg – makes this entry-level Q3 thirstier than many other similarly sized rivals that undercut Audi on price. Diesel version fair a bit better, with an average economy of 51mpg. As you might expect, the top-spec plug-in hybrid is the most fuel efficient, UK tests returning 143mpg on average.

The plug-in hybrid’s battery range of 68 miles also means that the car can cover all of your shorter weekly commutes on electric power alone should you charge it semi-regularly. That said, PHEV alternatives like the Cupra Terramar and Volkswagen Tiguan can cover several miles more on a single charge, as per our data.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the third-generation Audi Q3 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Q3, we’ll publish the results here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Audi Q3

Overall ratingD28%
Petrol or diesel modelsE15%
Electric or hybrid modelsC50%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Audi’s new car warranty is the basic industry standard, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Q3.

The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles. In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Q3 plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Audi Q3

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Audi Q3 from an official Audi dealership, you will get a minimum one-year warranty included.
If you are buying a used Audi Q3 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Audi Q3 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Audi Q3

As of December 2025, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Audi Q3. However, recall information is updated very regularly, so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.