2026 Audi Q3 makes global debut

The new-generation 2026 Audi Q3 compact SUV has made its global debut and will arrive Down Under next year promising more space, refinement and efficiency.

Sporting an all-new look directly inspired by the bigger Q5 and Q6 etron, the latest Q3 has thus far only been shown in SUV form and will be offered globally with a variety of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The base mill is a 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mild hybrid dubbed the TFSI 110kW. It drives the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Above that but utilising the same transmission and drive configuration is the 110kW/360Nm TDI 110kW; at this stage, the range’s only diesel offering.

Back in petrol land, the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol TFSI quattro 150kW adds all-wheel drive to the mix, supporting its bolder 150kW of power with 320Nm of torque, numbers that increase to 195kW/400Nm when referring to the TFSI quattro 195kW – yes these are the actual nameplates.

At the top of the tree sits the e-hybrid 200kW which is good for, you guessed it, 200kW/400Nm.

Drive comes from a compact turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor that draws current from a 19.7kWh battery pack, the latter two providing up to 120km of electric cruising range.

The battery can be recharged from 10-80 per cent in less than half an hour thanks to its 50kW fast-charging capabilities.

As per the exterior, the Q3’s cabin also follows Audi’s latest design language with drivers greeted by a dual-screen panoramic display comprising an 11.9-inch digital cockpit and a 12.8-inch infotainment system mounting high on the layered dash.

Adjustable ambient lighting adorns the dash, doors and centre console, circumnavigating the harshest edges.

For the eco-conscious out there, most of the upholstery options are sustainably sourced and or made from recycled materials while for the practical, the rear seats slide, recline and fold in a 60:40 regime to provide between 488 and 1386 litres of cargo space.

Underpinning the new Q3 is the VW Group’s familiar but proven MQB Evo platform, however Audi has overhauled the suspension set-ups in the name of versatility and refinement, but it’s the adaptive system that’s had the most work go into it with both new hardware and software.

Active safety and driver assist tech has also predictably taken a sizeable step up on the new-generation Q3 with its suite being headlined by adaptive driving assistant plus, emergency assist (automatic pullover when the driver’s unresponsive), driver monitoring, trained parking and all the usual gismos like AEB, lane keeping, blind spot this, cross traffic alert that etc.

With European deliveries not starting until October, it would be reasonable to expect the new Q3 to arrive in Aussie showrooms sometime in the first half of next year, but carsales has contact Audi Australia for confirmation.

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