2026 Audi Q3 teased

The new third-generation 2026 Audi Q3 has been officially teased, with the German car-maker announcing it will unwrap its new BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Volvo XC40 rival on June 16.

Revealing that the small premium SUV will share the same pixel LED headlights as the larger Audi Q5 and battery-powered Q6 e-tron, the Audi Q3 will come with customisable signatures for the daytime running lights.

Set to go on sale globally before the end of this year, it’s expected the Q3 will once again be offered with an SUV wagon and coupe-like Sportback body style – both have already been spotted testing on public roads.

Primed to have a more striking look compared to the current car, the Q3 will feature a wider and more vertical front grille that should sport honeycomb pattern inserts sandwiched by a pair of large side air intakes.

At the rear of the car, the Q3 is set to get a curvier body, plus a pair of slimmer lamps that will be interlinked by an LED light bar.

A tailgate spoiler hints at a comprehensive package of aerodynamics designed to boost efficiency.

Likely to be longer and wider than the car it replaces, the Audi Q3 should come with a smaller version of the Q6 e-tron’s ‘Digital Stage’ cockpit that will incorporate a digital instrument cluster and an OLED infotainment system behind a single piece of glass.

Under the bonnet, the Audi Q3 is set to remain on an upgraded version of the current car’s platform, with it likely to share the MQB evo architecture that underpins the latest Cupra Terramar.

Tipped to be among the last cars Audi launches with internal combustion engines, the Audi Q3 will come with petrol, turbo-diesel and plug-in hybrid power.

Expect the Q3 to be offered with a turbocharged 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol that will both feature 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to boost efficiency, while some markets will get a 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

A plug-in hybrid, meanwhile, will combine a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol that will be combined with a six-speed auto and an e-motor, plus a 19.7-kilowatt-hour battery to produce an expected 224kW combined peak power with an all-electric range of more than 110km.

Later, a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder could return to the small SUV range and power the RS Q3, producing at least 300kW.

While most variants will be front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive will be offered on the most powerful engines.

In Australia the current 2025 Audi Q3 is priced from $57,500 (plus on-road costs) for the most affordable Q3 35 TFSI, stretching to $70,800 plus ORCs for the flagship Q3 40 TFSI Quattro S Line.

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