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The Q3 is one of Audi’s best-selling models and the company put a lot into it. The Q3 is Audi’s smallest and most affordable model in the company’s SUV portfolio. It comes standard with quattro all-wheel drive, it’s fun to drive, has five seats, and a punchy 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. But when it comes to buying one, is it worth waiting another month or two for the 2023 models to hit the showroom, or to get a 2022 at a bargain before they’re gone?

What’s new for the 2023 Q3?

2019 Audi Q3 in blue
2019 Audi Q3 | Audi

The new 2023 Q3 includes a lot of small options that are new, but no major upgrades. The new SUV also gets some useful additions like full LED headlights, a wireless charging pad, and new 18, 19 and 20-inch wheel options. The 2022 added standard interior upgrades, as well as optional eight-way power seats, and a Topview camera on the Premium Plus trim.

All Q3s have split-folding and reclining rear seats. They also have automatic headlights and automated emergency braking, as well as standard lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The Q3 is also a larger SUV than its main competitor, the BMW X3. But mostly, the 2023 is the same as a 2022, so it may not be worth waiting for most people.

What are the trim levels of the Q3?

2022 Audi Q3 Dashboard
2022 Audi Q3 Dashboard | Audi

You can order two versions of Q3, the Premium and Premium Plus, with two different model names. The 40 has the 184-horsepower version of the four-cylinder, while the 45 has 228 horsepower.  The Premium is the base version and comes well equipped. But, the Premium Plus can be optioned with a large 10.1 inch touchscreen, LED interior lighting, and useful drivers aids like traffic jam assist, rear cross traffic assist, and keyless start/stop.

The previously optional S line trim is standard on the Q3 45 TFSI.

When was the Audi Q3 last updated?

A teal Audi Q3 luxury SUV model parked in a snowy tundra
Audi Q3 | AUDI AG

The second-generation Audi Q3 launched in 2019 in both Sportback and five-seat SUV versions. While it’s based on the VW Tiguan, it’s a lot sportier and has a upscale styling with Audi’s giant grille. The original Q3 was launched in 2011 as a 2012 model.

At J.D. Power, which surveys owners of vehicles, it ranks as average in many ways, including the driving experience and quality and reliability. However, it does rank high on the resale front and owners report less depreciation. Overall, in the small premium SUV segment, it ranks third behind the Mercedes GLA, the Volvo XC 40 and the Lexus UX.

How much is an Audi Q3?

The Q3 can be surprisingly affordable. For 2023, the Q3 will not see an increase in the price over the 2022. The MSRP for the base 2023 Audi Q3, the Q3 40 TFSI quattro, starts at $36,400 for the Premium trim and $39,700 in Premium Plus trim. The top line Q3 45 TFSI quattro starts at $38,700 for the Premium trim and $42,000 in Premium Plus trim.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.