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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 20 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 391 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,126–$39,372 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Audi Q3 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.6/10, while Value at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.6/10. The Q3 nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,126–$39,372, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2017 Audi Q3 sits in the middle of the field. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Audi Q3 ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,126 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 14%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the Q3 model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $40,582 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $40,582 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $39,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $38,218 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $37,036 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $35,854 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $34,672 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $33,490 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $32,308 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $31,126 | |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $29,944 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $28,762 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Exterior lighting / Turn signal 23/05/2019 · 19V385000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail… |
|---|---|
| Exterior lighting / Brake lights 26/06/2017 · 17V400000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal… |
| Electrical system / Software 06/09/2016 · 16V642000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2017 Audi Q3's reliability 8.6/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2017 Audi Q3 starts at $31,126 and ranges up to $39,372 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.