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Photo of a Audi Q3

Audi Q3

The second-generation RS Q3: five cylinders and an optional 280 km/h in a compact SUV.12

Researched October 25, 2026 from 32 sources

At a glance

0200400
118.32–394.4 hpPower
07.515
4.4–10.9 s0–100 km/h
0150300
190–280 km/hTop speed
0250500
220–480 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,460–1,858 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.25610

Engine
Q3: 1.4–2.0 L gas/diesel fours and hybrids; RS Q3: 2.5 L turbo five58
Layout
Transverse front engine; front-wheel drive or quattro AWD5
Built at
First gen: SEAT Martorell, Spain; second gen: Audi Győr, Hungary45
Units built
8U: 1.1 million; Győr-built Q3s: 1 million by May 202546

The story

Built to challenge the BMW X1 and Acura RDX, the original Q3 mixed PQ35/PQ46 underpinnings with TT front suspension and aluminum hood and hatch panels. The family topped two million worldwide sales by May 2025.34

2007: Cross Coupé quattro previews the Q320072011: Shanghai debut, Martorell production20112013: The first RS-badged Audi SUV20132015: America arrives; cylinders switch off20152018: Second generation starts in Győr20182021: Q3 and Sportback gain plug-in power20212025: One million Q3s built in Győr · Third generation turns digital2025 Audi Cross Coupé quattro: 2007Audi Q3 (first generation) (8U): 2011–20188UAudi Q3 (second generation) (F3): 2018–2025F3 20062008201020122014201620182020202220242026
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones56121623
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2007Audi Cross Coupé quattro
2011–2018Audi Q3 (first generation) (8U)
2018–2025Audi Q3 (second generation) (F3)
2007Cross Coupé quattro previews the Q3
2011Shanghai debut, Martorell production
2013The first RS-badged Audi SUV
2015America arrives; cylinders switch off
2018Second generation starts in Győr
2021Q3 and Sportback gain plug-in power
2025One million Q3s built in Győr
2025Third generation turns digital
  1. 2007

    Cross Coupé quattro previews the Q3

    The Cross Coupé quattro concept appeared at Shanghai, previewing the future Q3.56

  2. 2011

    Shanghai debut, Martorell production

    The production Q3 debuted at Auto Shanghai; SEAT's Martorell factory in Spain began building it that year.5

  3. 2013

    The first RS-badged Audi SUV

    Unveiled at Geneva, the RS Q3 put a 306 hp, 420 Nm turbocharged 2.5 L five-cylinder into Audi's compact SUV.15

  4. 2015

    America arrives; cylinders switch off

    The Q3 reached North America for MY2015. The facelift added 1.4 TFSI cylinder deactivation and raised the RS Q3 to 335 hp.5

  5. 2018

    Second generation starts in Győr

    The second Q3 began production in Győr, Hungary, with a digital cockpit and a rear bench that slides 15 cm.47

  6. 2021

    Q3 and Sportback gain plug-in power

    The 45 TFSI e combined a 1.4 TFSI and electric motor: 242 hp, a 13.0 kWh battery and up to 51 km WLTP electric range for the SUV.8

  7. 2025

    One million Q3s built in Győr

    By May, Győr had built one million Q3s, while worldwide sales since the 2011 production start had topped two million.4

  8. 2025

    Third generation turns digital

    The third Q3 brought micro-LED digital Matrix headlights, a curved digital dashboard and a new damper system.9

Every generation

  • Audi Cross Coupé quattro
    Audi Cross Coupé quattro2007
  • Audi Q3 (first generation)
    8U2011–2018
  • Audi Q3 (second generation)
    F32018–2025

Power over the years

From 208 hp to 394 hp in 8 years.

0100200300400 201020122014201620182020202220242026 hp 2011 · 208 hp · 2.0 TFSI quattro2013 · 306 hp · RS Q32015 · 335 hp · RS Q3 facelift2016 · 362 hp · RS Q3 performance2018 · 148 hp · 35 TFSI / 35 TDI2018 · 187 hp · 40 TFSI2018 · 227 hp · 45 TFSI quattro2019 · 394 hp · RS Q3 / RS Q3 Sportback2021 · 242 hp · Q3 / Sportback 45 TFSI e2025 · 268 hp · e-hybrid: 25.7 kWh gross, 50 kW DC2026 · 201 hp · Q3 SUV e-hybrid, 150 kW 394 hp RS Q3 / RS Q3 Sportback 208 hp 2.0 TFSI quattro
25789111213
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20112082.0 TFSI quattro
2013306RS Q3
2015335RS Q3 facelift
2016362RS Q3 performance
201814835 TFSI / 35 TDI
201818740 TFSI
201822745 TFSI quattro
2019394RS Q3 / RS Q3 Sportback
2021242Q3 / Sportback 45 TFSI e
2025268e-hybrid: 25.7 kWh gross, 50 kW DC
2026201Q3 SUV e-hybrid, 150 kW

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    SE / S line (2011 launch)

    2011

  • Sport / S line Edition (2017 range)

    Standard

    Sport / S line Edition (2017 range)

    2017

  • Sport / S line (second generation)

    Standard

    Sport / S line (second generation)

  • Premium / Premium Plus / Prestige

    Standard

    Premium / Premium Plus / Prestige

  • Q3 SUV e-hybrid (2026 addition)

    Standard

    Q3 SUV e-hybrid (2026 addition)

    2026

    201 hp
  • Black Edition (first generation)

    Special

    Black Edition (first generation)

    2017

  • Special

    Edition 1 / Vorsprung (Sportback)

    2019

  • Special

    S edition Competition

    2026

    268 hp
  • RS Q3 (original)

    Performance

    RS Q3 (original)

    2013–2014

    306 hp
  • RS Q3 / RS Q3 Sportback (second generation)

    Performance

    RS Q3 / RS Q3 Sportback (second generation)

    394 hp
  • RS Q3 performance

    Performance

    RS Q3 performance

    2016

    362 hp

  • Limited

    RS Q3 anniversary edition

    394 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a coupe-like profile and a tailgate wrapping around both rear corners.511
  • 2019 Sportback: a low roof, sloping rear pillars and a slim rear window.20
  • Second-generation RS: honeycomb grille, large side intakes and flat slots above the grille.12
  • Third generation: a wide, high-mounted grille and sleek, tapered headlights.9
  • Third generation: rear rings glow with the low beams, above a full-width light bar.922

Year by year

  1. 2015 facelift

    Chrome grille trim now meets the headlights; lower intakes grow and LED light signatures change.5

  2. 2015 facelift

    Base cars gain body-color wheel arches and sills, reshaped rear lights and new wheel designs.5

  3. 2017 update

    Sport gains larger front intakes and a body-color front diffuser; S line and Black Edition get LED headlights.15

  4. 2018 second generation

    Sharper creases and a bigger grille arrive on a body that grows in every dimension.1623

  5. 2019 Sportback

    Sportback joins with a sloping rear roof and a body 49 mm lower than the regular SUV.1620

  6. 2025 third generation

    Micro-LED Matrix headlights debut; daytime lights have 23 segments per side, and a narrow light bar spans the rear.9

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi Q3
    Q3
    Photo of a Audi Q5
    Audi Q5

    Audi Q5

    The 2019 Q3 has a more sharply sloping rearmost roof pillar than the Q5.23

  • Photo of a Audi Q3
    Q3
    Photo of a Audi Q8
    Audi Q8

    Audi Q8

    The 2019 Q3 echoes the Q8's chunky look in a smaller body.18

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $8.6K–$19.3K2627

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 201520202025 Value today: $8,600–$19,250 2012 · $42,906 · Europe base2015 · $32,500 · US base, Premium Plus2015 · $34,600 · US base, AWD Premium Plus2015 · $36,400 · US base, Prestige2015 · $38,500 · US base, AWD Prestige2019 · $35,695 · US base, Premium2019 · $40,095 · US base, S line 45 TFSI2019 · $44,990 · US as-tested, S line 45 TFSI2026 · $44,995 · US base, S Line Quattro2026 · $51,790 · US as-tested, S Line Quattro 2012 · $42,906 · Europe base price, 2012 model year 2026 · $19,250 · 2020 Q3 Prestige S Line, 70k miles, BaT2026 · $8,600 · 2017 Q3 Quattro Prestige S Line, 98k miles, BaT $19.3K BaT, 2026
318192223262730
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2012Launch price$42,906Europe base price, 2012 model year
2012Price when new$42,906Europe base
2015Price when new$32,500US base, Premium Plus
2015Price when new$34,600US base, AWD Premium Plus
2015Price when new$36,400US base, Prestige
2015Price when new$38,500US base, AWD Prestige
2019Price when new$35,695US base, Premium
2019Price when new$40,095US base, S line 45 TFSI
2019Price when new$44,990US as-tested, S line 45 TFSI
2026Price when new$44,995US base, S Line Quattro
2026Price when new$51,790US as-tested, S Line Quattro
2026Auction sale$19,2502020 Q3 Prestige S Line, 70k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$8,6002017 Q3 Quattro Prestige S Line, 98k miles, BaT
2026Value today$8,600–$19,250

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “Győr builds its millionth Q3”
    • “1:34.51 at Contidrom”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. Limited edition RS models | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  2. The new Audi RS Q3 and the new Audi RS Q3 Sportback | audi.com audi.com
  3. 2012 Audi Q3 Drive – Review – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  4. One millionth Audi Q3 made in Győr | audi.com audi.com
  5. Audi Q3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Audi Q3 8U – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  7. Nieuwe generatie Audi Q3: op alle fronten gegroeid nieuws.audi.nl
  8. High efficiency and outstanding driving pleasure: The Audi Q3 as a plug-in hybrid | audi.com audi.com
  9. Versatile, sporty, and digitally connected: the new Audi Q3 | audi.com audi.com
  10. Audi RS Q3 Sportback specs, 0-60, quarter mile, lap times - FastestLaps.com fastestlaps.com
  11. Lager verbruik en meer vermogen voor vernieuwde Audi Q3 en Audi RS Q3 nieuws.audi.nl
  12. Audi Q3 F3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  13. Audi vernieuwt Q3 line-up en introduceert 150 kW sterke e-hybrid nieuws.audi.nl
  14. Used Audi Q3 (Mk1, 2011-2018) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Audi Q3 Compact SUV range titivated for 2017 and new Q3 Black Edition - costs from £26,600 | Cars UK carsuk.net
  16. Used Audi Q3 (Mk2, 2018-date) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. 2020 Audi Q3 Depreciation Value | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  18. 2019 Audi Q3 a Baby SUV Bred from VW's Parts Bin caranddriver.com
  19. 2020 BMW X1 vs. 2019 Audi Q3: Which Is More Compelling? caranddriver.com
  20. A NEW SLANT ON THE AUDI Q3 – THE NEW AUDI Q3 SPORTBACK - London Connected ldnconnected.co.uk
  21. Audi RS Q3 Performance review - improving on the unexpected? | evo evo.co.uk
  22. 2026 Audi Q3 First Test: Proper Audi, Imperfect Luxury motortrend.com
  23. 2019 Audi Q3 First Drive Review: Problems Solved, Problems Created | Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  24. Audi Q3 red track: Wörthersee 2012 - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  25. Career news - Career - AUDI HUNGARIA Zrt. audi.hu
  26. No Reserve: 2017 Audi Q3 2.0T Quattro Prestige S Line for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,600 on July 6, 2026 (Lot #251,084) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. No Reserve: 2020 Audi Q3 Prestige S Line for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,250 on April 3, 2026 (Lot #236,189) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Used Audi Q3 review: 2011-2018 (Mk1) - Reliability and common problems | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  29. Used Audi Q3 review - ReDriven redriven.com
  30. 2015 Audi Q3 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  31. 2015 Audi Q3 Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  32. 2023 Audi Q3 Price, Cost-to-Own, Reviews & More | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  • magazine.audi.com.au
  • audi.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • nieuws.audi.nl
  • fastestlaps.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • carsuk.net
  • kbb.com
  • ldnconnected.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • motortrend.com
  • autobild.de

Photo credits

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