2026 Audi Q3: everything we know about the BMW X1 rival

The third generation of the Audi Q3 will be offered with regular, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, available in both standard and Sportback body styles

Audi will forgo a facelift for the current Q3 and instead unveil an all-new, third-generation model in the coming months. As a competitor to the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA, the new Q3 will feature a refreshed design inside and out, using the latest version of VW Group’s electrified platform, shared with European brands VW Tiguan (unlike the next American Tiguan) and Cupra Terramar.

Last year, numerous prototypes of Audi’s compact SUV were tested on public roads, gradually shedding camouflage. Inspired by these spy photos, our colleagues created detailed visualizations of Q3 2026, giving us a clear picture of what to expect.

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The Q3 will resemble a smaller version of the Q6 e-tron, with split headlights with animated Matrix LED graphics and a more streamlined Singleframe grille. However, unlike its electric counterpart, the Q3’s grille will remain open, signaling its internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain.

While the Q3’s sculpted profile and roofline will be reminiscent of the Cupra Terramar, the Audi will have its own distinct front and rear looks. This suggests the new Q3 will grow slightly, approaching the dimensions of the Cupra Terramar, which measures 4,519 mm (177.9 in), compared to the previous Q3’s 4,485 mm (176.6 in).

Audi Q3 Sportback from 2026

Illustrations Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien)

While the sporty appearance of the standard Q3 should please most buyers in this segment, Audi will still offer a Q3 Sportback variant. This version of the coupe-SUV will feature a restyled rear end and a sloping roofline, saving some cargo space for added style and improved aerodynamics.

Inside, the new Q3 is expected to differentiate itself from its VW and Cupra cousins ​​with a sharper design and improved technology. Features may include an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen and an optional 10.9-inch passenger display, similar to the setup in the all-electric Audi Q4 e-tron. A sophisticated heads-up display is also likely.

Improved underpinnings and electrified powertrains

The new Audi Q3 will not be built on an entirely new platform, but will instead run on an updated version of the previous model’s MQB Evo architecture, a platform already used in several VW Group vehicles. The Audi-specific chassis setup will improve ride quality compared to the previous Q3.

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In terms of powertrains, the Audi Q3 will likely mirror the offerings of the European VW Tiguan and Cupra Terramar. This means it will offer mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel options, albeit with a greater focus on electrification compared to its predecessor.

Q3 power is expected to range from 148 PS (110 kW/150 PS) in the entry-level 1.5-litre mild hybrid version to 201 PS (150 kW/204 PS) and 268 PS (200 kW/272 PS). PS) for the flagship PHEV, combined with over 100 km (62 mph) of zero-emission range. Let’s hope that the performance-oriented RS Q3 will see another generation, which will see the final appearance of the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.

Rivals and debut

The Audi Q3’s rivals go beyond the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA from Germany. Other players in the premium compact SUV segment include Lexus UX/NX from Japan, Alfa Romeo Tonale from Italy, Volvo XC40 from Sweden and Range Rover Evoque from the UK. Additionally, it will likely face indirect competition from similarly priced electric SUVs, including those from China.

In 2018, the second generation of the Audi Q3 was introduced, and in 2019 – the Q3 Sportback. This means that the SUV will be withdrawn from production after just 6 years, giving way to a much improved version. The new model will likely be the last Q3 model offered with combustion engines under the hood before Audi fully commits to electric vehicles.

Production of the new Q3 and Q3 Sportback will take place at the Audi plant in Gyor, Hungary, next to the Cupra Terramar. A public debut in Europe is expected in the next few months, with a North American launch likely as a 2026 model.

Spy shots: Baldauf