2017 Audi Q3

The 2017 Audi Q3 is an ideal set of wheels for a young, urban professional. 

The Audi Q3 has all the right ingredients for success, It has a premium badge, quality interior, and good handling with excellent forward visibility, which is exactly what family buyers are looking for. But, in the growing subcompact luxury market, there are many rivals on the run. Honestly, it ranks right in the middle in its segment. That's because the Q3's infotainment system is irritating while the rear row feels cramped at times. It is also short of all the latest technological features.  

Yet, you can spot a lot of Q3s on the American roads due to its low ownership costs compared to its fellow German rivals. Its true cost to own figure is approximately $9,900 annually which includes maintenance, repair depreciation, fuel, etc. Its maintenance and repair costs are less but its inefficient engine raises the fuel costs. But, it is backed by good reliability ratings and resale value. Hence, these factors help keep the Q3 back on the competition. 

Take it easy on the options; we think the Q3 is the best value in base all-wheel-drive form- The Car Connection

The Audi Q3 is sold in the U.S. market in the form of three trims which are Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Regarding dollars and cents, the Q3 has a starting price of $31,800 and excludes a destination fee of $950. Every model of the Q3 is available in both FWD and AWD configurations. When fully loaded, the Q3 has a sticker price of just over $40,000 which is a little bit expensive.

When it comes to features, the standard feature list is pretty good in the Q3. But still, it lacks technological features. Therefore, Audi also offers several optional packages for the Q3 to meet their buyer's needs. The optional MMI Navigation Plus package adds a 7-inch screen with a voice-activation navigation system with traffic updates and Audi Connect services. 

Trim	Premium	Premium Plus	Prestige
MSRP(FWD)	$31,800	$34,500	$39,200
MSRP(AWD)	$33,900	$36,600	$41,300
Key Features	7-inch infotainment display	Adds/ Upgrades to Premium trim	Adds/ Upgrades to Premium Plus trim
	Dual-zone automatic climate control	Heated front seats	14-speaker Bose premium sound system
	Remote keyless entry	Proximity keyless entry	Navigation system
	Bluetooth connectivity	Power tailgate	Blind Spot Monitoring
	Power front leather seats		S line stainless-steel door sills
	SiriusXM		MMI infotainment interface
	Power panoramic sunroof
	18-inch alloy wheels

We Recommend

The Premium Plus is the best value as this trim adds heated front seats, keyless entry, and a power tailgate. We also recommend the $550 Sport Interior package that adds 12-way power front sports seats with 4-way power lumbar support, 3-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, and Audi Drive Select. 

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The engine  feels quite strong in around-town driving- Consumer Guide

2017 Audi Q3 Engine and Transmission

Like the Q5, the Audi Q3 has only one available engine which is a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine. It's a totally different one, so in this car, it makes only 200 hp and 207 lb-ft. of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic and either standard FWD or optional Quattro AWD system. 

The engine and transmission work well together and are very smooth. Its refinement makes good for compensating factors for it not having competitive power. Of course, there are paddle shifters buy you wont need them as the automatic gearbox impresses with its quick and precise shifts. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
MSRP	$31,800	$32,850	$33,750	$35,025
Engine	2.0 Turbo Inline-4	2.0 Turbo Inline-4	2.0 Turbo Inline-4	2.0 Turbo Inline-4
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	7-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Power	200 hp @ 5,100 RPM	208 hp @ 5,500 RPM	228 hp @ 5,000 RPM	235 hp @ 4,800 RPM
Torque	207 lb-ft. @ 1,700 RPM	258 lb-ft. @ 1,250 RPM	258 lb-ft. @ 1250 RPM	258 lb-ft. @ 1,650 RPM

The Lexus NX200t makes the most power and sits at the top of the table but is a pricey option. The BMW X1 makes has a good balance of power and price. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class makes just 8 horses more than the Q3, leaving behind the latter to the last place. 

2017 Audi Q3 Acceleration

The Audi Q3 delivers adequate performance but it is hardly fast. It takes 7.8 seconds to sprint from 0-60 MPH, which is a lot slower than the competition. Its slow pace continues and further covers the quarter-mile mark in 16.1 seconds while the top speed is limited to 130 MPH. These numbers are bad compared to rivals and it's not what you expect from an Audi. 

The Q3 has a decent low-end acceleration but once you floor the pedal, you may notice a hair of turbo lag. One of the main reasons for its slow acceleration is its transmission. While many of its rivals use a 7-speed and 8-speed gearbox, the Q3 is still employing a 6-speed automatic. It is time that Audi paid attention and changed the transmission on the Q3. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
0-60 MPH	7.8 sec	6.4 sec	6.9 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	14.9 sec	15.3 sec	15.7 sec
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Top Speed	130 MPH	130 MPH	130 MPH	124 MPH

Thanks to its quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission, the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class displays wonderful acceleration despite making less power. The BMW X1 manages to sure second place as it houses a punchy and athletic engine. The powerful Lexus NX200t has been tuned to offer a smooth ride rather than performance. Hence, it comes in third place. 

2017 Audi Q3 Ride and Handling

The Audi Q3 handles well on pavements. When the roads turn a bit twistier, you'll enjoy the Q3's smart handling  It has plenty of grip through the corners and keeps its body well controlled.  The body stays fairly upright in the bends. Even when equipped with an FWD configuration, there's still loads of grip.  

The steering is light to the touch, quick on turning, and remarkably precise. The ride quality is on the stiff side, especially when traversing frost heaves. Because of its sporting ride, even mild gravel roads can make it lose its polish. Overall, the driving experience of the Q3 is more like a hatchback, very relaxed and easygoing. 

2017 Audi Q3 Braking

The brakes in the Audi Q3 are 12.3-inch ventilated discs on the front wheels and 11.1-inch ventilated discs on the rear wheels. It doesn't disappoint in this field as it recorded a braking distance of 108 feet when tried to stop from 60-0 MPH. Compared to its rivals, the Q3 has the best braking distance in its class. 

Apart from its strong brakes, the reason for its short braking distance is its low curb weight. The braking pressure is really good and the pedal is pushed hard, the car starts to decelerate in a smooth manner. The brakes fade  less even after repeated use. This inspires the driver to drive comfortably at high speeds. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
Brake Front	12.3 in	12.6 in	12.9 in	11.7 in
Brake Rear	11.1 in	11.6 in	12.5 in	11.2 in
Curb Weight	3,494 lbs	3,296 lbs	3,543 lbs	3,940 lbs
60-0 MPH	108 ft.	110 ft.	122 ft.	116 ft.

The only rival closest to the Q3 in terms of braking performance is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. It takes 110 feet but weighing less than the Q3, it could have performed better. On that note, the bulkiest Lexus NX200t manages to stop in 116 feet while the BMW X1, being 400 pounds lighter, takes the longest braking distance. 

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Fuel economy is low when compared to others in the class, but not by much- Cars.USNews

The engine in the Audi Q3 is not fuel-efficient and flaunts unimpressive MPG numbers. According to the EPA, it returns 20 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 23 MPG combined. These ratings are the same if you opt for the Quattro AWD system. Comparatively, the Q3's fuel ratings are very less in its segment. 

The Q3 comes with the largest fuel tank in this segment that measures 16.9 gallons in size. Therefore, it can deliver 405 miles of combined range, which is more than some of the rivals. The Q3 runs on regular gas but Audi recommends using premium fuel for better performance. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
MPG (City)	20	24	23	22
MPG (Highway)	28	33	32	28
MPG (Combined)	23	27	26	25
Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallon)	16.9	13.2	16.1	15.9
Range (City/Highway/Combined)	338/473/405	317/436/376	370/515/442	350/445/397

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class wins the heart of many buyers as it delivers a good performance as well as great fuel economy. The fuel ratings of the BMW X1 and the Lexus NX 200t are almost the same but the X1 delivers a better range as it is slightly more efficient. The Q3 displays poor fuel economy despite making the least power.

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The cabin of the 2017 Audi Q3 is very nice, with styling and materials that seem worthy of the Audi brand- Edmunds

2017 Audi Q3 Seating and Comfort

Inside, the design is a typical Audi form. The materials are an excellent quality no matter where your hands roam. Leather seats are standard throughout the range. The front seats are comfortable and have a wide range of adjustments but there are no memory settings to save your positions. The one thing the Q3 sets apart from a lot of rivals is its seating position. You sit high so there's good visibility towards the road. 

Space in the front row is plentiful in this class. The power panoramic moonroof really amplifies the sense. Sitting at the back, you may notice the seating position is a bit low. It also lacks under-thigh support and therefore, takes away comfort during long-distance journeys. The legroom is adequate but if the driver's seat slides backward, your knees would be up against them. However, headroom is a good thing at the back. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	36.9/55.8/40.0	38.2/56.0/40.2	42.0/56.7/40.4	37.4/57.3/42.8
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	37.0/53.6/31.1	35.4/53.2/27.1	39.4/55.2/37.0	38.0/55.3/36.1

If observed carefully, the BMW X1 has a spacious cabin among its rivals. The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class offers the least passenger space in the rear row and therefore, is unsuitable for adults. The Lexus NX200t's rare row is adult-friendly as it offers more head and legroom in the rear row than the Q3.  

2017 Audi Q3 Infotainment System

The Audi Q3 comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment display, which is kind of disappointing as most of the rivals in its class offer a touchscreen. A 10-speaker sound system is standard but the Prestige trim replaces it with a 14-speaker Bose premium audio system. The audio quality from Bose's 14 speakers is flat-out phenomenal. 

The MMI interface standard on the Prestige trim is less intuitive to use on the go forcing you to do all things through a single knob and some buttons. Menu layouts require that you move back and forth with some level of effort to do simple tasks. Add this to the fact that there is no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

2017 Audi Q3 Interior Features

The main cabin highlights of the Audi Q3 are as follows:

• Tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• 12-way power front leather seats with heated function
• Power liftgate
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Keyless entry
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Power panoramic sunroof
• 7-inch infotainment display
• 14speaker Bose premium audio system
• SiriusXM
• Voice recognition audio system

2017 Audi Q3 Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity in the Audi Q3 is below average. Behind the rear seats, you will find 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which is good enough for storing three large roller bags. Of course, they do fold in a 60/40 split with an easy pull of a latch for a near-flat cargo floor. Once folded, the space expands to 48.2 cubic feet. 

The rear seats of the Q3 do offer something unique in this class which is an opening pass-through in the center allowing long items. Also, loading heavy items in ti the trunk is easy thanks to its flat loading lip while the boxy shape of the Q3 allows storing more items into the cargo area. Overall, the Q3 is a decent cargo hauler in its class. 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft.)	16.7	14.9	27.1	17.7
Cargo Volume rear seat folded (ft.3)	48.2	43.6	58.7	34.0

The BMW X1 is the most practical crossover in this class. It offers a maximum space of 58.7 cu-ft. The Lexus NX200t is right behind it with 54.6 cu-ft., which is still good. The cargo space available in the Q3 is pretty decent but the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class turns out to be with the least cargo volume.

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Audi's design philosophy of small, medium and large versions of the same car may be repetitive, but it works- Kelley Blue Book

2017 Audi Q3 Dimension and Weight

The Audi Q3 can be instantly recognized by its design. Upfront, the Q3 shares a lot in common with the Q5 and Q7. It has the newest angular version of the single-frame grille. The grille comes back nicely to headlights which are HID on the Premium and Premium Plus models while the top-spec Prestige gets LED headlights. These LED headlamps adjust and light your way around corners at night. Down below, fog lamps are standard except on the base Premium trim.

The standard wheels on the Q3 are 18-inch alloy wheels while 19-inch ones are optional. The Q3 has a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which is good enough for mild off-roading. However, its wheelbase is the shortest in its class and therefore, compromises on the rear-seat space. The rear design of the Q3 has a kind of shrunken down Q5 look and actually looks a little bit more aggressive. The main highlight of the design is those full LED taillights 

Models	2017 Audi Q3	2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class	2017 BMW X1	2017 Lexus NX200t
Curb Weight (lbs)	3,494	3,296	3,543	3,940
Length (in)	172.8	173.9	175.4	182.3
Width (in)	72.1	71.0	71.1	73.6
Height (in)	62.5	60.0	62.5	64.8
Ground Clearance (in)	6.7	6.6	7.2	6.9
Wheelbase (in)	102.5	106.3	105.1	104.7
Track Width (in) F/R	61.1/61.2	61.8/61.4	61.5/61.5	61.8/62.2

The BMW X1 sits 0.5 inches higher than the Q3. This allows it to explore even rougher terrains. The wheelbase of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class is the widest in this competition. This helps it to offer a stable and comfortable ride. At 182.3 inches, the Lexus NX200t is the longest car here. Those extra inches come in handy in terms of cargo space. 

2017 Audi Q3 Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features of the Audi Q3 are:

• Halogen & LED headlights
• LED taillights
• Front & rear fog lights
• Power-folding, heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors
• Black grille with chrome surround
• Black window trim
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Dual exhaust chrome tips
• 18 & 19-inch alloy wheels

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The 2017 Q3 received all Good marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety- CarGurus

Only IIHS paid attention to the Audi Q3 whereas NHTSA neglected to crash-test it. It received 'Good' ratings in all the crash tests, which is really great. But still, it didn't get the 'Top Safety Award' as it also received 'Poor' ratings for its headlights while the front crash prevention is yet to be rated. 

From the above-mentioned ratings, we can say that the Q3 is a safe vehicle. However, it falls short of driver assistance features while many of its rivals don't. In order to keep up with its competition, Audi must offer more driver aids in the Q3. The only standard safety features available in the Q3 are mentioned below:

• Rearview Camera
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• Lane Change Assist

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2017 Audi Q3 vs 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class's value is slightly higher than the Q3 but that's completely fine as it boasts better agility and excellent fuel economy. It offers less rear-seat space and cargo capacity but the list of standard luxury features is impressive. It did not undergo any kind of crash tests but packs more driver-asst features than the Q3, making it one of the best picks in this segment. 

2017 Audi Q3 vs 2017 BMW X1

The BMW X1 is slightly more expensive than the Q3 but also makes more power. Its athletic engine offers better acceleration while the driving dynamics are excellent too. It also outshines by offering a roomier cabin and an outstanding cargo capacity. In terms of safety, the X1 won the 'Top Safety Pick' award also comes with a long list of advanced safety tech and therefore is a better choice. 

2017 Audi Q3 vs 2017 Lexus NX200t

Starting at $35,025, the Lexus NX200t is the most expensive car in this competition. The extra 35 horses result in better acceleration while also being efficient than the Q3. Inside the cabin, the NX200t offers more rear passenger space and is also practical in nature. Besides its great reliability, the NX200t also boasts top safety ratings from both safety agencies and is equipped with top driver aids. 

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The Audi Q3 isn't the cheapest car of its type to buy but it feels worth the money you pay and affordable to run. It's nice to look at, cracking to drive, and has a gorgeous interior. If your tastes run more towards the middle of the value, comfort, and dynamism scale, the Audi Q3 could be the one you've been waiting for. 

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2017 Audi Q3 FAQs

Is the 2017 Audi Q3 reliable?

Yes, it is. It scored 77 out of 100 in the J.D. Power reliability test, which is a decent score. 

Is it expensive to maintain an Audi Q3?

Honestly, the Audi Q3's maintenance costs are less than a BMW X1 or a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. It costs nearly $1,700 every year for its maintenance. 

Does the 2017 Audi Q3 have Apple CarPlay?

No, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functionality in the 2017 Audi Q3.

Does the 2017 Audi Q3 have heated seats?

Yes, heated front seats are standard from the Premium Plus trim onwards. 

Is the 2017 Audi Q3 fast?

Actually, it is not. The 0-60 MPH sprint time comes out to be 7.8 seconds, which is the slowest in its class.