History/Overview
Audi entered the subcompact luxury crossover category in 2015 with the Q3, a fetching little utility that grafts the brand’s familiar styling cues onto a tidy body. The second-generation version that’s on sale now has been around since late in the 2019 model year.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2023, the Q3 gets a couple of new standard features, which we’ve detailed below.
Available Trims
Audi makes the Q3 in Komfort, Progressiv, and Technik trim levels. All use a 2.0L turbocharged engine, eight-speed transmission, and AWD; Komfort and Progressiv start with a “40” designation that refers to its engine output; all three trims can be had with a more potent “45” powertrain.
Standard Features
This year, Komfort trim gains front and rear parking sensors; carried over from 2022 are 17-inch wheels (40) and 18-inch wheels (45), plus LED headlights/taillights, a power tailgate, passive keyless entry, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone A/C, a panoramic roof, heated steering wheel, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker audio, and digital gauges. Safety kit includes forward collision mitigation, pedestrian detection, and TPMS.
Progressiv’s sole change is a set of 19-inch wheels for the 40 model; they were already included in 45 cars. You also get aluminum dash trim, a power passenger seat, an auto-dimming mirror with garage door remote, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensors.
Finally, Technik trim gets auto-dimming/power-folding side mirrors, navigation, digital gauges, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, traffic sign recognition, wireless phone integration, upgraded audio, and a top-view camera. New to this configuration is the Audi connect plus system.
Key Options
In Komfort trim, a vorsprung edition package adds 19-inch wheels, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and gloss black trim elements.
Progressiv models can add a navigation package. Technik offers an advanced driver assist suite with adaptive cruise and automatic high beams; you can upgrade this bundle to also include hands-on detection and traffic jam assist, but doing so deletes the heated steering wheel.
Fuel Economy
As we write this, Audi has only published fuel consumption estimates for the 2023 Q3 with the more potent 45 drivetrain, at 11.2/8.4 L/100 km (city/highway); for the entry-level 40 variant, we have to look to last year’s estimates, which were 10.4/7.7 L/100 km, and should be similar for the 2023 model.
Competition
If you’re shopping for a subcompact luxury crossover, the Q3’s competitors include the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Cadillac XT4, Land Rover Evoque, and the Volvo XC40.
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