- The new Audi Q3 now starts at a much higher price than before.
- Its 2.0-liter turbo now makes 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.
- US buyers can order the SUV in any of nine available colors.
Several months after Audi introduced the all-new, third-generation Q3, the company has confirmed that it will arrive in US dealerships in the first quarter of 2026, initially offered in a single configuration.
This version, called the S Line Quattro, will start at $43,700 before the $1,295 destination and delivery fee, placing it nearly $4,000 above the outgoing model’s base price. The increase is no doubt significant, but Audi seems to be counting on buyers appreciating the upgrades that come with it.
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While it’s routine for new models to creep up in price, this kind of jump is still rare. The 2025 Q3 started at $39,800 before the same destination and delivery fee, which makes the new figure a noticeable stretch.
Audi will argue that the 2026 version justifies it with fresh styling, an updated cabin, and a stronger engine, but that defense only goes so far
More Power
Powering the Q3 S Line Quattro is a newer 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, a jump of 27 hp and 22 lb-ft respectively over the old model. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is fitted as standard, routing power to both axles through Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
While this isn’t a high-performance model, it can still run to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a hot hatch-rivaling 5.5 seconds, a full 1.6 seconds quicker than the old model.
American buyers will be able to order the 2026 Q3 in one of nine available colors, including a new addition to the range known as Sage Green. The SUV can also be equipped with 18-, 19-, and 20-inch wheels and tires ranging from 235 mm to 255 mm wide.
All models also come standard with the S line exterior package that adds a Phantom Black grille, Selenite Silver front air intake frames, S line bumpers, and a matte black and Selenite Silver rear diffuser.
How Different Is It Inside?
The cabin of the Q3 is significantly different than the one in its predecessor. It features all the usual upgrades you’d expect for a new generation of SUV, including a redesigned dashboard with a new infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster.
One of the more striking differences is the absence of traditional steering column stalks. Audi has replaced them with a pair of new control panels positioned on either side of the steering wheel.
On the right side sit the transmission controls, while the left houses the indicators, windshield functions, and headlight switches. The layout will likely take some getting used to, and whether drivers warm to it or find it frustrating is anyone’s guess.
