The Audi Q3 is brand new. Here’s how it compares with competitors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The new Audi crossover looks a lot better than the previous model. It is sharper and more stylish than the outgoing model. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, standard Quattro all wheel drive and the original design are all still there. How does it compare to its closest competitors? The two closest competitors to the Q3 are from Germany. The BMW X1, and the Mercedes Benz GLA luxury crossovers will be what most buyers compare to Q3. Both options are available for many years but they don’t compare to the new Audi. Even though the BMW is technically the oldest, it’s the most powerful. The turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 228 horsepower (170kW) and 258 poundfeet (2192 kilowatts). In comparison, the Q3 produces only 187 HP (139 kW), with a 2.0 liter. Audi is the most powerful entry-level option, although a mid-range 230-hp option may also be available. However, it has one major selling point that the others don’t have: all-wheel-drive. You will need to pay more if you want all-wheel driving on the BMW or GLA.
However, this segment is not limited to German options. Land Rover and Infiniti both make small, affordable crossovers. The Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover QX30 are solid choices and still perform well compared to the Q3. It’s not all about the power. The Audi Q3 is a spacious crossover that measures in at 3.8 inches longer than the standard. The Audi Q3 boasts 23.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 53.9 cubes when the rear seats are folded down. This is more than any other crossover in the set. Only the BMW has the rear seats folded down.
The 2019 Audi A3 will be available to European dealers this November. In the United States, dealers will soon see the crossover. Pricing information is still unknown.