The 2025 model year is the last for the second-generation Q3. Our spy photographers recently snapped the heir apparent with little in the way of camouflage, showing off a mix of Audi's latest design language, a little Hyundai up front, and a little Buick out back.
Styling cues, however, are mostly inspired by the Q6 e-tron electric sport utility vehicle line and the A5 line that replaces the A4. Starting with the split headlights up front, the facelift also includes a massive mesh-style lower grille opening and a slightly more curved upper grille.
Featuring light-emitting diodes instead of halogen or xenon bulbs front and rear, the 2026 Audi Q3 pictured here sports rubberized, two-tone machine-finished Continental wheels. They frame red brake calipers, which is a bit odd because red is usually reserved for the sportiest S variant or even the sportiest RS variant.
The relatively small diameter of the rotors and the hidden exhaust pipes add to the confusion. As disconcerting as it may be, this prototype could be equipped with some sort of S-line package. In Germany, the S-line package sits above the Advanced and the base model. There is also an S-line interior package that costs more, namely €1,800 or about $2,015 at current exchange rates.
From these photos, the next-generation Q3 appears to be a bit larger than its predecessor. Audi is said to be mirroring the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan's powertrain choices, meaning potential buyers could be presented with anything from a 1.4-liter TSI to a 2.0-liter TSI and a 2.0-liter TDI.
Photo: SH Proshots
Of course, there’s a case to be made for mild-hybrid electrification, along with a plug-in hybrid. The 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid Tiguan eHybrid uses a DSG transmission with six forward gears, while the lower-end powertrains have seven. With Audi recently tweaking the RS 3 for 2025, it’s likely the RS Q3 will continue to power the EA855-series 2.5 TFSI.
401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) in a small crossover is a lot, though not as much as the 416 horsepower in the GLA 45 from the Mad Professors of Affalterbach. To add insult to injury, Merc uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Along with its sister model Sportback, the 2026 Audi Q3 could receive a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system (dubbed MMI) that flows neatly into an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster (the Audi virtual cockpit) in the Q6 e-tron and the A5, which succeeds the A4. It's unclear whether the optional 10.9-inch passenger display will also carry over.
Believe it or not, Audi of America reported 14,321 Q3 deliveries for the first half of 2024, representing a 60% improvement over the first half of 2023. However, the undisputed bestseller remains the Q5, which sold 24,571 and 35,341 units, respectively.