2026 Audi Q3 First Test: Proper Audi, Imperfect Luxury
Key takeaways
- The redesigned Q3 delivers design, tech, and quality expected of an upmarket brand, but not the driving manners to match.
- Pros Stand-out design Excellent build quality Good tech and infotainment Cons Rough transmission Firm, busy ride Not much personality For some luxury automakers, an entry-level model is a concession, an afterthought.
- In Audi’s range, SUVs such as the Q5, Q7, and Q8 justify their pricier positioning.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The redesigned Q3 delivers design, tech, and quality expected of an upmarket brand, but not the driving manners to match.
Pros Stand-out design Excellent build quality Good tech and infotainment Cons Rough transmission Firm, busy ride Not much personality For some luxury automakers, an entry-level model is a concession, an afterthought. Only the brand’s higher-end vehicles show why spending more is worth it, while lineup starting points convey little more than the image associated with a particular badge.
In Audi’s range, SUVs such as the Q5, Q7, and Q8 justify their pricier positioning. The Q3, its smallest SUV, didn’t quite do the same. But that changes for 2026, as an all-new Q3 hits the market and feels like a proper Audi. Yet even as it embodies the four-ring brand’s strengths, the Q3 might not meet every driver’s definition of luxury.