Audi Q3 2024 review
Photo: Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Audi Q3 has become the default choice for buyers who want a premium family SUV without stepping up to something the size of a Q5, and the 2024 model shows exactly why. It is smartly styled, beautifully built inside and easy to live with every day, which is precisely what most UK families need from a car like this.
In Britain the sweet spot is the 35 TFSI: a 1.5-litre petrol with mild-hybrid assistance, 150PS and the slick S tronic automatic gearbox. It is not fast, but it is smooth, quiet and refined around town, and it returns respectable real-world fuel economy on longer motorway runs. Diesel fans are still catered for with the 35 TDI, a fine long-distance choice. Quattro all-wheel drive is available on more powerful versions, though front-wheel drive suits most buyers and keeps running costs lower.
The cabin is a Q3 highlight: Audi Virtual Cockpit comes as standard, the materials feel a class above most rivals, and there is generous space for four adults plus a 530-litre boot that swallows prams and luggage with ease. It rides comfortably on standard suspension, feels secure in corners and is impressively quiet at speed. Rivals like the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA and Range Rover Evoque all have their strengths, but the Q3 remains one of the most complete and easy to recommend premium compact SUVs on sale in the UK.
UK price from: £33,000
Specifications
| Engine | 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol (mild hybrid) |
| Power | 150 PS |
| 0-60 mph | 9.1 seconds |
| Top speed | 130 mph |
| Fuel economy | 43.5 mpg (WLTP combined) |
| CO2 | 148 g/km |
| Boot space | 530 litres |
| Length | 4,484 mm |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
Features
- 10.25-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster as standard
- 10.1-inch MMI Navigation Plus touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay
- LED headlights with dynamic rear indicators
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- Electrically operated tailgate with hands-free opening
- Front and rear parking sensors with rear-view camera
- Cruise control with speed limiter and lane departure warning
- Heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar adjustment
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £89.99 | Fits 35 TFSI models; includes wear sensor |
| Oil filter | £14.99 | Genuine-spec filter for 1.5 TFSI engines |
| Cabin pollen filter | £19.99 | Activated carbon type; replace every 2 years |
| Wiper blade set (front pair) | £34.99 | 650mm and 475mm aero blades |
| 12V car battery | £129.99 | AGM type required for stop-start models |
| Alloy wheel (18-inch, single) | £249.99 | Genuine-style 5-arm design; check offset |
Pros
- Superb cabin quality that feels genuinely premium
- Spacious interior with a large 530-litre boot
- Refined, quiet and comfortable on long journeys
- Strong residual values keep finance costs sensible
Cons
- 35 TFSI feels unhurried rather than quick
- Options list can push the price up steeply
- Infotainment relies heavily on the touchscreen
- Rear legroom is good rather than class-leading
