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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 29 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,700 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 362 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $40,582–$51,566 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Audi Q3 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.8/10, while Technology at 7.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.2/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. At 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $40,582–$51,566, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.8/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Audi Q3 will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
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 2026 Audi Q3 ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $40,582 starting price is about 12% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Q3 model years we've scored, the 2026 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 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $40,582 | |
| 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 | 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.
| Visibility / Sun/moon roof assembly 01/04/2026 · 26V209000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2026 Q3 vehicles. Incorrect software may allow remote sunroof closing from a distance that prevents the operator from clearly seeing the sunroof. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.