Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

2026 Audi Q3 Brings Luxury, Tech

Audi sets pricing for the all-new 2026 Q3 as the redesigned compact SUV heads to U.S. dealers in early 2026.

Green 2026 Audi Q3 compact SUV driving on a city street past a modern building in daylight.

The redesigned 2026 Audi Q3 will arrive at U.S. retailers in the first quarter of 2026, with a starting MSRP of $43,700.

Photo: Audi

4 min to read


Audi of America announced pricing and full specifications for the redesigned 2026 Q3. The entry SUV, now in its third generation, adds updated styling, new infotainment and driver-assistance features, and a revised 2.0-liter turbo engine paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive.

The 2026 Q3 is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealers in the first quarter of 2026 with a starting MSRP of $43,700, plus $1,295 destination and delivery.

Ad Loading...

Exterior and Lighting Updates

The 2026 Q3 adopts Audi’s newer design language, with a higher-positioned Singleframe grille and slim headlights integrated into an aerodynamic front-end design. All U.S. models come standard with an S line exterior, including an S-style grille in Phantom Black, S line bumpers, and exterior trim elements finished in Selenite Silver and matte black.

LED headlights and LED taillights are standard. The headlights include digital daytime running lights with 23 segments per side and three selectable light signatures through the MMI. At the rear, LED taillights include dynamic turn signals and animated coming-home/leaving-home sequences, along with a continuous LED light strip and illuminated Audi rings. A Technology Package adds digital OLED taillights with three selectable signatures.

Audi also added dual-pane acoustic glass for the front side windows as standard equipment, aimed at reducing wind and road noise.

Available exterior colors include Arkona White, Arrow Gray, Mythos Black, Malpelo Blue, Daytona Gray, Progressive Red, Glacier White, Navarra Blue (pearl effect), and Sage Green (new).

Cabin, Displays, and Infotainment

Inside, the Q3 adds Audi’s “Digital Stage” layout with an 11.9-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch MMI touch display. The model also introduces a revised user experience, including maps in the virtual cockpit.

Ad Loading...

A new steering wheel control unit moves the gear selector to a right-side steering-column lever, with a left lever handling lighting functions and wipers. Audi says the change improves center-console storage and packaging. The console includes two cup holders, a cooled wireless charging pad with 15 watts of charging power, and two USB-C ports, with two additional USB-C charging ports in the rear.

Standard LED interior lighting plus adds marker lighting and ambient illumination elements. A SONOS premium sound system is available, with 12 speakers and a 420-watt amplifier, plus selectable sound profiles.

The infotainment system runs on Android Automotive OS, with third-party apps available through the Audi Application Store. Audi also includes its voice-controlled Audi assistant with an on-screen avatar, and the system can display recognized inputs in the instrument display.

Cargo Space and Towing

The second-row seat slides fore and aft and reclines as standard. Audi lists 25 cu. ft. of trunk space, expanding to 29 cu. ft. with the rear bench slid forward and upright. With the second row folded, cargo space increases to up to 50 cu. ft.

The Q3 has a towing capacity of up to 1,500 lb. and comes pre-wired for a trailer hitch, which can be added as an accessory.

Ad Loading...

Powertrain and Driving Dynamics

The 2026 Q3 is powered by an updated 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI gas engine rated at 255 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with a new seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive.

Audi lists 0-60 mph acceleration in as little as 5.5 seconds. The model also uses a revised standard steel suspension and refined progressive steering. The Audi drive select system replaces “auto” with a “balanced” mode that activates at startup, with the option to set “offroad plus” as the default through the MMI.

Driver Assistance Features

Standard driver-assistance and safety features include:

  • Parking system plus with distance display

  • Adaptive cruise control

  • Lane departure warning with emergency assist

  • Traffic sign recognition

  • Attention and fatigue warning

  • Active front assist with emergency brake assist, swerve assist, front turn assist, and front cross-traffic assist

  • Audi side assist and rear cross-traffic assist

An optional Driver assistance package adds:

Ad Loading...
  • Adaptive cruise assist

  • Top view camera

  • Park assist plus

  • Trained parking

  • Heated steering wheel

With trained parking, the Q3 can store up to five learned parking maneuvers up to 164 feet (50 meters) each, and can repeat them when activated while the driver monitors. A reverse assistant can back the vehicle along a previously traveled path at low speeds, with Audi stating the function operates below 22 mph and reverses at about 6 mph.

Traffic sign recognition also adds certain warning-sign displays, including construction zones, pedestrian crossings, animal crossings, and railroad crossings.

Pricing and Availability

The 2026 Audi Q3 is expected to reach U.S. retailers in the first quarter of 2026. Pricing starts at $43,700 for the 2026 Q3 S line quattro, plus $1,295 destination and delivery.

More Vehicle Research

Interior dashboard view of a Volvo EV featuring Google Maps navigation and infotainment display during a demo of upcoming Gemini AI vehicle integration.

Volvo, Google Preview AI-Powered In-Car Navigation Features

Gemini integration and new Google Maps immersive navigation tools are slated for upcoming Volvo EV models, including the EX60.

Read More →
An obit image of fleet hall of famer Ray Breault next to a black square with the text of his birth and death dates.
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellMay 20, 2026

Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Breault Passes at 95

Ray Breault, a former NAFA president and longtime fleet leader whose career spanned nearly 60 years, died May 1 at age 95. Breault was inducted into the Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame in 2008 and was widely recognized for his contributions to the fleet management profession.

Read More →
Close-up of the 2027 Volkswagen ID. Buzz side window with quilted privacy shades and integrated side mirror camera parked outdoors.

The 2027 Volkswagen Lineup

Volkswagen recently released details on the 2027 lineup, which includes a variety of new features for the vehicles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Gray 2026 Kia EV6 electric crossover driving on a desert highway at sunset with mountains and Joshua trees in the background.

2026 Kia EV6 Arrives With Lower Pricing, New Charging Features

Kia lowered pricing for the 2026 EV6 lineup while adding standard charging equipment, Plug & Charge capability, and updated color options.

Read More →
Blue BMW iX3 electric SUV parked on a reflective surface with mountain scenery in the background at dusk.

2027 BMW iX3 Starts at $61,500 With Up to 434 Miles of Range

BMW priced the 2027 iX3 50 xDrive at $61,500 and said the new EV SUV will offer up to 434 miles of range, 800V fast charging, and a new-generation operating system when deliveries begin in September.

Read More →
YouTube thumbnail with a dark blue, high-contrast corporate design featuring a smiling young woman on the left pointing upward. Large bold text on the right reads: ‘HOW FLEETS ARE DOING MORE WITH LESS IN 2026.’ Smaller header text at the top says ‘WEEKLY CHEAT SHEET.’ Along the bottom are three blue-and-white icons labeled ‘TRENDS,’ ‘INSIGHTS,’ and ‘STRATEGIES.’
Vehicle Researchby Faith HowellMay 18, 2026

How Fleets Are Doing More with Less in 2026 | AF News Recap

In this news recap, host Faith Howell covers the ethics of AI, replacement delays, and how one company is streamlining uptime.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredMay 15, 2026

Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges

For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.

Read More →
A graphic including Emkay's building celebrating 80 years in fleet.
Vehicle Researchby StaffMay 13, 2026

Inside Emkay's 80th Anniversary Celebration [Watch]

EMKAY recently celebrated a major milestone: 80 years in the fleet industry.

Read More →
Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front view of a silver Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV driving on a curving road with mountains and sunlight in the background.

Mercedes-Benz Introduces All-New Electric C-Class

Mercedes-Benz introduces an all-electric C-Class with dual motors, up to 482 hp, fast charging, and a redesigned interior built on a dedicated EV platform.

Read More →