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Review
2026 Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback: price, specs and release date in Australia
RACV
January 29, 2026
The 2026 Audi Q3 premium small SUV is now on sale in Australia, bringing fresh looks, advanced tech and an efficient new mild hybrid engine at base level – for a higher price. Here’s everything you need to know.
The new third-generation Audi Q3 small SUV is coming to Australia soon, bringing major improvements to the German prestige brand’s top-selling model.
New styling, a redesigned cabin, higher equipment levels, fresh tech and a revised turbocharged petrol engine line-up headline the changes for the 2026 Audi Q3, which is scheduled to arrive in dealerships between April and June.
SUV and Sportback body styles are both available from launch as Audi aims to consolidate Q3’s position in the premium small SUV segment, where it rivals the BMW X1 for class leadership and holds a solid position against the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus LBX, Volvo XC40 and others.
Let’s look at what the Audi Q3 offers at launch and whether the expanded, but more expensive, new model range has enough to hold off the ever-strengthening competition.
New two-valve damper control features on Launch Edition and regular 195kW quattro versions of the 2026 Audi Q3 Sportback and SUV.
When does the new Audi Q3 go on sale in Australia?
The new Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback are scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms during the second quarter of 2026. Orders are now being taken through Audi’s national dealer network.
How much does the 2026 Audi Q3 cost?
There are 10 variants of the 2026 Audi Q3 available at launch, split evenly between SUV and Sportback body styles and with three TFSI turbo-petrol engine/driveline choices – a new 1.5-litre mild hybrid FWD (110kW) and two 2.0-litre quattro AWD options (150kW and 195kW).
See our price box below for full details, but essentially the new Q3 SUV – in base TFSI 110kW FWD guise – pushes the entry point up by almost $3000 to $61,600 plus on-road costs. The Sportback version adds $3000 with its standard S line pack (starting at $64,600 plus ORCs) and a Launch Edition is available for a $5400 premium on the SUV and $4400 on the Sportback.
The mid-series Q3 SUV TFSI 150kW quattro includes the S line pack to start from $70,200 plus ORCs. The Sportback version adds $2500 (at $72,700) while the Launch Edition adds $4400 on both body styles at this level.
The flagship Q3 SUV TFSI 195kW quattro is priced from $81,900 plus ORCs, with Sportback adding $2500. No Launch Edition is available here.
For comparison, the BMW X1 opens at $62,499 plus ORCs and the Mercedes-Benz GLA starts at $68,900. The Lexus LBX (from $47,200) and Volvo XC40 (from $54,990) are more affordable options, as are other small premium SUVs from Audi’s Volkswagen Group stable, including the Cupra Formentor (from $56,990).
The cabin of the Audi Q3 has received a major overhaul for the premium small SUV’s third generation.
2026 Audi Q3 design and specification
The 2026 Audi Q3 adopts a more aggressive stance with this new third generation, borrowing from the style book used with other SUVs in the brand’s stable – most notably the Audi Q5.
The new Q3 aims to be mature, muscular and high-tech all at once, with designers referencing the blistered fenders and advanced lighting elements at the front and rear. The latter includes a full-width light strip at the rear and, in a first for Audi in Australia, illumination of the brand’s four-ringed logo when the headlights are on.
High-resolution digital matrix LED headlights with 25,600 micro-LEDs are also available for the first time on Q3, flowing down from the more exclusive Audi A8 and Q8 e-tron models. Digital OLED tail-light clusters are optional, too.
Based on an updated version of the VW Group’s MQB Evo platform, the new Q3 occupies a similar footprint to the previous series, and despite the bolder aesthetic it’s more aerodynamic at 0.30Cd. Overall, the SUV is slightly bigger at 4531mm long, 1859mm wide and 1601mm high, with a 2681mm wheelbase.
As before, the Q3 Sportback has a coupe-like emphasis to the back half, the roofline sloping downward from the front pillar to be 29mm lower than the SUV for a sportier look and ‘faster’ silhouette (without roof rails).
The trade-off is a bit less room inside the Sportback, including cargo capacity that’s clipped to 1289 litres when the rear seat is folded (SUV: 1386L) but the standard 488L behind the second row is the same for both models when the upright rear bench, which can move fore/aft, is in its rearmost position. Moving it forward can increase luggage space to 575L.
Up front, the cabin has received a major overhaul with a horizontal design theme, greater use of premium materials and some decluttering, as seen with a steering column-mounted gear selector that frees up space in the centre console.
The driver is presented with a new curved display that incorporates an 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit plus’ digital instrument cluster and 12.8-inch central MMI touchscreen.
All Q3 variants are covered by Audi Australia’s five-year factory warranty and include five-year capped-price servicing plans, although pricing details are still to be released. Extended warranty programs are available. Owners also receive free membership to the Audi Experience loyalty program during the standard warranty period.
In overseas markets, the Q3 has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg (110kW, 150kW) or 2100kg (195kW), however Australian details are not yet confirmed.
The sleek Audi Q3 Sportback has the S line exterior pack fitted standard.
Bolder front design of the Audi Q3 SUV borrows from the latest Q5 style book.
Digital matrix LED headlights are available on the new Audi Q3.
Rear LED lights on the new Audi Q3 include logo illumination.
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Audi Q3 standard equipment and features
Despite higher pricing for the 2026 Audi Q3, the Australian arm of the German carmaker claims to have built more value into the model range with extra equipment.
Audi Q3 SUV 110kW standard features:
Adaptive LED headlights with three selectable daytime running light signatures
Illuminated Audi rings at the rear
Front door window acoustic glazing
Keyless entry
Electric tailgate
12.8-inch central MMI touchscreen
11.9-inch Audi ‘virtual cockpit plus’ digital instrument display
DAB+ digital radio
10-speaker, 260-watt sound system with subwoofer
15W wireless phone charging pad with cooling function
Electric heated, folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors with memory function
Leather-appointed upholstery
Electrically adjustable front seats with memory for the driver
Heated front seats
Three-zone climate-control air-conditioning
Colour ambient interior lighting
Matt cross-brushed aluminium cabin trim
17-inch alloy wheels
Audi Q3 Sportback 110kW adds:
Coupe-inspired body style
S line exterior styling with unique bumpers and S line badging
19-inch alloy wheels
Audi Q3 SUV & Sportback 110kW & 150kW quattro Launch Edition adds:
S line exterior styling (SUV)
Black exterior styling treatment
Standard metallic paint
Red brake callipers
Adaptive dampers with two-valve technology
Sound actuator
19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
Audi Q3 SUV & Sportback 150kW quattro adds (over standard 110kW):
Dual screens in the new Audi Q3 form a panoramic curved ‘digital stage’.
2026 Audi Q3 features an 11.9-inch instrument cluster and 12.8-inch MMI touch display.
Rear bench seat in the Audi Q3 can move fore/aft for extra versatility.
Cargo room in the Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback behind the rear seats is 488L.
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What powers the new Audi Q3?
Three conventional turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines are offered at launch on the new 2026 Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback, all running on premium unleaded fuel and combining with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The front-drive entry-level TFSI 110kW moves to a 1.5-litre displacement (up from 1.4) that features mild hybrid technology with cylinder-on-demand for improved efficiency. It produces 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque – the same output as the previous 1.4 – and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 9.1 seconds. European fuel consumption figures put the 110kW model at 6.0-6.6L/100km. (The outgoing 1.4 35 TFSI returns 7.5L/100km on the local ADR 81/02 combined cycle.)
The AWD 2.0-litre TFSI 150kW quattro has received a power boost over the outgoing 40 TFSI (132kW) but maximum torque remains at 320Nm. Audi global figures point to 0-100km/h in 7.1sec and 7.8-8.4L/100km economy on the official combined cycle (EU).
At the top end, the TFSI 195kW quattro is said to deliver near S-model levels of performance with its 195kW/400Nm output that enables the small SUV to reach 100km/h from standstill in 5.7sec. The EU combined-cycle economy range is 8.5-9.0L/100km.
For now, Audi Australia is not offering the plug-in hybrid powertrain option that’s available in Europe – and on the Cupra Terramar VZe sold in Australia. The front-drive Audi Q3 e-Hybrid is based on a higher-output (130kW) version of the 1.5-litre engine and, in concert with the electric motor, produces 200kW/400Nm combined. With a 25.7kWh battery on board, the PHEV has a handy claimed 119km EV-only driving range (WLTP) and can also charge from a 50kW DC power supply, whereupon the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 30 minutes, according to Audi.
There’s no sign of a new-generation Q3 RS performance flagship at this stage, but it’s anticipated to arrive early on during the new model’s lifecycle. The current Audi RS Q3 features a 294kW/480Nm 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and can dart from 0-100km/h in 4.5sec.
The 2026 Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback debut several new safety systems, including advanced parking technology.
What safety and technology features on the new Audi Q3?
According to the carmaker, every variant of the new 2026 Audi Q3 features the most comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance systems ever offered on an Audi in this segment. Standard equipment includes:
Adaptive cruise assist with active lane assist
Active front assist with evasion and turning assist
Front cross traffic assist
Front emergency brake assist
Lane departure warning with emergency assist
Attention and fatigue warning with driver monitoring
Advanced traffic sign recognition
360-degree cameras
New park assist plus
Helped by four wide-angle cameras, the advanced parking functionality includes reversing assist, which can automatically retrace up to 50 metres of the previously driven path, and trained parking, which allows drivers to record and store up to five customised parking manoeuvres. Audi says these features are designed to reduce stress and enhance convenience in everyday driving scenarios, such as manoeuvring out of a cul-de-sac or negotiating a tight carport or garage.
The latest traffic sign recognition system has also been developed to identify and respond to signs for right of way, construction sites, pedestrian crossings, animal crossings and railroad crossings, for example.
The SUV’s active safety features are integrated with the new 11.9-inch instrument display and 12.8-inch central touchscreen, the latter debuting a new MMI (Multi Media Interface) system that’s said to be enhanced for improved useability and aesthetics.
The Q3 infotainment system uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system, so third-party apps such as YouTube should be directly integrated into the MMI and not need a smartphone to use. On the AI front, the learning voice-controlled Audi assistant can be used to operate numerous vehicle functions. It appears as an avatar in the central touchscreen display and, when active, as an icon in the head-up display (where fitted) and/or instrument panel.
For managing electronic devices, the Q3 has a 15W cooled inductive smartphone charging tray and two USB-C ports up front, and another two USB-C ports in the rear seat area.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
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