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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 | 380 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $32,308–$37,395 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2018 Audi Q3 earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.6/10, while Technology at 6.6/10 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 comes in at 7.2/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.2/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.6/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a suv you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology scores 6.6/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $32,308–$37,395, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 8.6/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2018 Audi Q3, but it needs the right buyer. Its technology scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 2018 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 $32,308 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 10%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Audi Q3 scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.2 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $32,308 | |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $31,126 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $29,944 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $28,762 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has 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… |
|---|
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2018 Audi Q3's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2018 Audi Q3 starts at $32,308 and ranges up to $37,395 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/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.