Audi Q3

Which generation to buy: what the numbers change

Injection is Direct injection (direct) on Gasoline and Plug-in versions and on 3 generation 2.0 TDI S tronic; not measured on other Diesels. Rear brakes are Disc, front Ventilated disc, suspension Independent, spring front and rear, on every version where chassis is listed.

1 generation (2011-06-01–2015-01-31) is the lightest early SUV 5-doors Q3. The 1.4 MT 150 hp Gasoline FWD sits at 1460 kg kerb (9.73 kg/hp). Ground clearance is 170 mm on all 11 versions. Tank is 64 l. Top Gasoline is the 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp AWD: 6.9 s to 100 km/h, 230 km/h, 7.42 kg/hp, 106.4 hp/l. The slowest Q3 in the whole catalogue is this generation’s 2.0 MT 120 hp Diesel FWD: 10.9 s, 190 km/h, 12.38 kg/hp. CO2 is not measured on several Diesel and on the 150 hp Gasoline pair; Euro class is Euro 5 where measured, not measured on the two 150 hp Gasoline versions.

1 generation, restyling (2014-11-01–2019-02-28) keeps the 170 mm clearance and 64 l tank and cuts weight and mixed use. Restyled 1.4 MT 150 hp is 1385 kg — 75 kg below the pre-restyle 1.4 MT (1460 kg) and 9.23 kg/hp versus 9.73. Mixed use on that 1.4 MT falls from 5.9 to 5.5 l/100 km. The restyled 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp AWD (6.4 s, 233 km/h, 7.11 kg/hp, 110.9 hp/l, 6.6 l/100 km mixed, 153 g/km CO2) is 9 hp above the pre-restyle 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp (6.9 s, 7.7 l/100 km mixed) and 0.5 s quicker. The most economical Q3 in the data is restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.4 l/100 km mixed and 114 g/km CO2 (there is a second 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.6 l/100 km mixed and 119 g/km). Euro 6 is listed on all 11 restyle versions.

2 generation (from 2018-07-01) is heavier and uses a 58 l tank. The lightest 2 generation Q3 is 1.5 MT 150 hp at 1460 kg — equal to pre-restyle 1.4 MT, 75 kg above restyle 1.4 MT. Clearance is 183 mm on 35 1.5 TFSI S-tronic, 40 S-tronic limited and 45 TFSI e S-tronic; not measured on the other eight. The 2 generation Gasoline peak is 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp AWD: 6.3 s, 233 km/h, 7.04 kg/hp, 115.9 hp/l — 10 hp and 0.1 s versus restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp, but 55 kg heavier (1620 vs 1565 kg) and 1.0 l/100 km thirstier mixed (7.6 vs 6.6). Plug-in 45 TFSI e S-tronic 245 hp (7.3 s, 32 g/km CO2, 45 l tank) is the CO2 floor of 2 generation. Diesel 40 TDI quattro S tronic 200 hp arrives from 2020-05-01: 7.1 s, 5.3 l/100 km mixed, 8.30 kg/hp.

3 generation (from 2025-10-01) has five versions, a 55 l tank (9 l below 1 generation, 3 l below 2 generation), gearbox labelled Automatic, and city/highway use not measured on all five. The fastest Q3 in the data is 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp: 5.7 s, 240 km/h, 6.32 kg/hp, 133.6 hp/l, 8.5 l/100 km mixed, 193 g/km CO2, 1675 kg. That is 0.6 s quicker and 35 hp above 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp, 55 kg heavier. Plug-in 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 272 hp is the power peak (272 vs 245 on 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic), 6.8 s (0.5 s quicker), 6.71 kg/hp, 181.6 hp/l, 39 g/km CO2 versus 32 g/km on the older plug-in, 1825 kg versus 1740 kg, tank 55 l versus 45 l. Mild-hybrid 1.5 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic 150 hp is 9.1 s and 6.6 l/100 km mixed — 0.1 s quicker than 2 generation 35 1.5 TFSI S-tronic (9.2 s, 5.8 mixed) but 0.8 l/100 km thirstier on the mixed figure.

Engines and specs: every named version

Injection is Direct injection (direct) on Gasoline and Plug-in versions and on 3 generation 2.0 TDI S tronic; not measured on other Diesels. Rear brakes are Disc, front Ventilated disc, suspension Independent, spring front and rear, on every version where chassis is listed.

Performance, mpg and horsepower: what extra output buys

If 0–100 is the gate: 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp (5.7 s) beats 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp (6.3 s) by 0.6 s and restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp (6.4 s) by 0.7 s. 1 generation 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp is 6.9 s. 3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 272 hp is 6.8 s — more hp than the 265 hp Gasoline, 1.1 s slower, FWD not AWD, 150 kg heavier (1825 vs 1675 kg). 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic 245 hp is 7.3 s. Avoid 1 generation restyle 2.0 MT 120 hp (10.9 s) if time-to-100 matters.

kg per hp (lower is denser): 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp 6.32; 3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 6.71; 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp 7.04; 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic 7.10; restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp 7.11; 1 generation 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp 7.42. 2 generation 1.5 MT is 9.73; 2 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel AWD is 10.83; 1 generation 2.0 S-tronic 140 hp Diesel is 11.75. 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp kerb is not measured, so kg/hp is not measured.

hp per litre: Plug-in 3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 181.6 hp/l; 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic 175.6; 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp 133.6; 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp 115.9; restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp 110.9; 2 generation 1.4 S-tronic 107.5. Diesel 150 hp 1968 cc versions sit at 76.2 hp/l; 1 generation 2.0 MT 120 hp is 61.0 hp/l.

Mixed mpg (l/100 km): best measured is restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.4 (city 5.2, highway 3.9), then the other restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.6, then restyle 2.0 MT 120 hp at 4.6, then 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.9. Worst measured mixed among complete triples: 1 generation 2.0 S-tronic 170 hp and 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp at 7.7, and 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp at 7.6. 3 generation mixed is 5.3 on 2.0 TDI S tronic, 6.6 on 1.5 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic, 6.8 on 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic, 8.5 on 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp; city and highway not measured. Mixed on 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp is not measured.

CO2: lowest measured is 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic 32 g/km, then 3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 39 g/km. Lowest non-plug-in is restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD 114 g/km. Highest measured is 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp 193 g/km. Not measured: 1 generation 1.4 MT, 1.4 S-tronic, four 140/177 hp Diesels, and 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp.

Dimensions and weight: clearance, tank, wheels

Kerb range: 1385 kg (restyle 1.4 MT) to 1825 kg (3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic). Gross: 1985 kg (restyle 1.4 MT and 1 generation 1.4 MT) to 2405 kg (3 generation plug-in). 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp kerb and gross not measured. 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic gross not measured.

Ground clearance: 170 mm on all 1 generation and restyle versions; 183 mm on 2 generation 35 1.5 TFSI S-tronic, 40 S-tronic limited, 45 TFSI e S-tronic; not measured on the other 2 generation versions and on all 3 generation versions.

Tank: 64 l (1 generation and restyle), 58 l (2 generation except 45 TFSI e S-tronic 45 l), 55 l (all 3 generation).

Wheels measured only on: 2 generation 1.4 S-tronic and 2.0 S-tronic 180 hp (215/65 R17, 235/55 R18, 235/50 R19); 1 generation 1.4 MT, 2.0 MT 170 hp, 2.0 S-tronic 177 hp Diesel, 1.4 S-tronic, 2.0 S-tronic 170 hp, 2.0 S-tronic 211 hp (215/65 R16, 235/55 R17, 235/50 R18). All other versions: wheels not measured.

Which version to choose

Buy 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 265 hp if the brief is the shortest 0–100 and the highest top speed: 5.7 s, 240 km/h, 6.32 kg/hp, AWD, 400 Nm. Cost in the data is 8.5 l/100 km mixed and 193 g/km CO2; city/highway not measured; tank 55 l.

Buy 3 generation 1.5 TFSI e-hybrid S tronic 272 hp if system power is the brief: 272 hp, 400 Nm, 181.6 hp/l, 6.8 s, 39 g/km. It is 1.1 s slower than the 265 hp AWD, FWD, 1825 kg. Mixed 6.8 l/100 km; city/highway not measured.

Buy 2 generation 45 TFSI e S-tronic 245 hp if CO2 is the brief: 32 g/km, 7.3 s, 400 Nm, 45 l tank (13 l below other 2 generation 58 l tanks). FWD, Robotic 6, Euro 6. Gross weight not measured; clearance 183 mm.

Buy 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 230 hp if you want the 2 generation Gasoline AWD peak without plug-in: 6.3 s, 233 km/h, 350 Nm, 7.04 kg/hp, 115.9 hp/l. Mixed 7.6, CO2 173, kerb 1620 kg. Versus restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp you gain 10 hp and 0.1 s and lose 55 kg and 1.0 l/100 km mixed.

Buy restyle 2.0 S-tronic 220 hp if you want nearly the same 0–100 (6.4 vs 6.3 s) with 64 l tank, 170 mm clearance, 1565 kg and 6.6 mixed. Production window 2014-11-01–2019-02-28.

Buy 2 generation 40 TDI quattro S tronic 200 hp if Diesel AWD in 2 generation is the brief: 7.1 s, 400 Nm, 5.3 mixed, 138 g/km, 8.30 kg/hp, from 2020-05-01. Versus 2.0 S-tronic 190 hp Diesel AWD: +10 hp, −0.9 s (8.0 to 7.1), −35 kg (1695 to 1660), mixed 5.6 to 5.3, CO2 148 to 138.

Buy 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 150 hp Diesel FWD if 2 generation economy is the brief: 4.9 mixed, 128 g/km, 9.2 s, 207 km/h, 1580 kg. Versus same-power 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel AWD: FWD versus AWD, Robotic 7 versus Manual 6, −45 kg, mixed 4.9 versus 5.7, 0–100 9.2 versus 9.3.

Buy restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD (4.4 mixed, 114 g/km) if the lowest measured mixed use and CO2 without plug-in is the brief: 9.6 s, 204 km/h, 1485 kg, 64 l, 170 mm. Distinguish from the other restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel FWD at 4.6 mixed / 119 g/km and from restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp Diesel AWD (9.3 s, 5.0 mixed, 1570 kg).

Buy 2 generation 1.5 MT 150 hp if Manual 6 Gasoline FWD and lowest 2 generation kerb is the brief: 1460 kg, 9.6 s, 211 km/h, 6.3 mixed, 145 g/km, Euro 6. Versus 35 1.5 TFSI S-tronic (same 150 hp, 1498 cc): Robotic 7, 9.2 s, 207 km/h, 5.8 mixed, 1570 kg (+110 kg), 183 mm clearance (not measured on 1.5 MT). Versus 1.4 S-tronic 150 hp: 1395 vs 1498 cc, Euro 5 vs Euro 6, mixed 5.9 vs 6.3, wheels 215/65 R17 / 235/55 R18 / 235/50 R19 versus not measured.

Buy 3 generation 1.5 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic 150 hp for the current 150 hp Gasoline Automatic 7 FWD: 9.1 s, 6.6 mixed, 137 g/km, 1560 kg, tank 55 l; city/highway and clearance not measured.

Buy 3 generation 2.0 TDI S tronic 150 hp for current Diesel FWD Automatic 7: 9.2 s, 5.3 mixed, 360 Nm (20 Nm above 2 generation 150 hp Diesels at 340 Nm), 139 g/km, 1625 kg. City/highway not measured.

Buy 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp only if you accept gaps: 7.1 s, 229 km/h, 326 Nm, AWD — kerb, gross, mixed use, city, highway, CO2, clearance, wheels all not measured.

Do not pick 1 generation 2.0 MT 120 hp for pace (10.9 s, 190 km/h, 12.38 kg/hp). Do not pick 1 generation 2.0 S-tronic 140 hp Diesel for mass efficiency (11.75 kg/hp, 9.9 s). 1 generation Gasoline 150 hp versions have CO2 and Euro class not measured.

Reliability and problems: this dataset does not measure failure rates, oil use or workshop faults. What it does measure for a used-car screen is emission class (Euro 5 on 1 generation where listed; Euro 6 on restyle, 2 generation except 1.4 S-tronic Euro 5, and 3 generation), whether CO2 is measured, and whether city/highway/clearance/wheels/kerb are measured. A version with mixed use not measured (3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 204 hp) cannot be ranked on mpg against a version that has a mixed figure.

FWD versus AWD at the same power, restyle 150 hp Diesel Manual: FWD 4.4–4.6 mixed and 1485 kg versus AWD 5.0 mixed and 1570 kg (+85 kg, +0.4 to +0.6 l/100 km mixed); 0–100 9.6 s FWD versus 9.3 s AWD. 1 generation 140 hp Diesel: FWD 2.0 MT 1520 kg / 5.2 mixed / 202 km/h versus AWD 2.0 MT 1610 kg / 5.7 mixed / 197 km/h versus AWD 2.0 S-tronic 1645 kg / 5.8 mixed / 198 km/h; all three 9.9 s.

Exact names above are the catalogue keys. Two or more rows that share 2.0 S-tronic, 2.0 MT, 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic or 1.4 S-tronic are split by hp, fuel, drive and mixed use as written.