Jump LinksInfotainmentAmong troubled automakers, the mainstream brands tend to get most of the attention, but some smaller brands have been struggling, too. Audi is one of them: Sales were down 16% last year, and loads of models contributed to the drop. One of them was the brand's second-bestseller, the Q3, which had dropped 27%. The model had reached the end of a pretty long lifespan of six years, so with any luck, Audi's fully redesigned 2026 Q3 will help right the German luxury ship.Audi brought us out to Southern California to spend some time in the subcompact luxury SUV. After spending a day with it, it's a solid all-around machine. It's good to drive, looks sharp, and has a premium interior. What really makes it a potential game changer, though, is the value.First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on CarBuzz for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon. What's Changed For This Model Year? The 2026 Audi Q3 is a completely redesigned model, and it's the first time the subcompact SUV has been fully reworked since the 2019 model year. It's slightly longer and taller, and features new styling inside and out. The model line has been significantly streamlined, too, with a single powertrain and trim level. That single engine also makes significantly more power than either of the previous engines, and it's now paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, rather than a conventional automatic.2026 Audi Q3 frontIn addition to the single trim and powertrain, Audi has a few options for customers to configure their model exactly to their tastes. With only one trim, you won't have to make certain compromises to get some of these features. For example, you can have the smallest wheels with the most-powerful engine. The downside, though, is that the starting price has risen compared to the previous model. Exterior: Leaner And Meaner Whereas the previous Q3 was crisp and geometric, the new model has become curvier. Don't think Audi has toned down the design, though - if anything, it's even more bold and aggressive than before. The nose makes the biggest impression; the headlights have been split up, with slim, scowling LED daytime running lights sitting above and on either side of a bigger octagonal grille. These running lights can even be customized with different light patterns, and the same goes for the tail lights. The main beams are hidden in dark housings below, which look like even bigger outboard air intakes.2026 Audi Q3 front three-quarterAlong the sides, it's possible to see that the hood line has been raised and looks a bit longer than before. The creases that are still based on the previous model's lines are softer, but a strong up-swept lower door line and window sill, along with the flying roofline, gives the new model a sportier look. It has less contrasting black or unpainted plastic, too, so it looks more designed for sporty pavement driving, rather than trying to for faux ruggedness.The back end features some dramatic lighting changes, too. The tail lights have a full-width bar to unite each side. The rear badge also illuminates in red. Available as an option is a set of OLED lights - sadly, it still lacks the adaptive matrix lights of its European counterpart. Speaking of options, there are three sizes of wheels now available in 18, 19, and 20 inches. They come in silver finishes as standard, but black options are available with the Black Optic Package, which changes the standard silver exterior trim to black. Three new colors are also available, including Sage Green Metallic, Malpelo Blue Metallic, and Arrow Gray Pearl.AudiStyling aside, the Q3 is also a bit larger than before. The biggest change is in overall length, where Audi stretched the SUV by 1.8 inches, followed closely by height at 1.2 inches. Oddly, the wheelbase is nearly unchanged, with a gain of just 0.1 in., and width has only increased by 0.4 inches. Interior: A Welcome Touch Of Class The interior has also ditched the angular design of the previous model, and in a more dramatic way than with the exterior. A pair of screens sit in a large rounded monolith atop the dash, and the dash itself is dominated by a large, curvy panel. Now, like many modern cars, the Q3 features customizable ambient lighting, but it's not the centerpiece of the interior. That curvy panel is, and it's not just plastic or aluminum, it's a huge piece of open-pore wood. Depending on your interior color scheme, it's either a light or dark stain to match the off-white or black leather.AudiThe wood adds some welcome warmth and maturity to the Q3, and it's something that has left many luxury cars in favor of flashy lights. It's bolstered by a nice mix of other materials, such as nicely grained plastic high up on the doors and dash, as well as some woven fabric coverings. It's not all perfect, as you'll still find a few rough plastics lower in the interior, such as around the center console and glovebox, but if anything is going to be on the cheaper side, these are the panels that should be. The screen monolith also suffers a bit from the large amount of piano black plastic on display, with screens that aren't as well-integrated as before.As for accommodations, the Q3 is plenty comfortable. The standard heated, 8-way power memory seats are easy to adjust to a comfortable spot, and have plenty of cushion and side bolstering. We wouldn't mind a bit of extra thigh support, but there's enough angle to the seat base to help make up for a lack of depth. Visibility is good, as is head and legroom. The center console intrudes a bit on knee room.Audi The rear seat isn't quite as spacious, though I was able to sit behind my 300-pound, 5-foot 11-inch seating position with my knees just brushing the seat backs. The rear seats also offer sliding and reclining adjustments, though the sliding is really there to add a bit of extra cargo room when you don't have rear passengers. On that note, cargo space behind the rear seats ranges between 25 and 29 cubic feet, depending on the position of those seats. Fold them down and you get 50 cu. ft. These numbers are a decent improvement to the old model, which had 23.7 cu. ft behind the rear seats, and 48 with them folded. The Q3 is even rated for towing, but just 1,500 pounds. Infotainment 2026 Audi Q3 infotainment screenThe controls and displays of the Q3 are a bit strange. They're practical in many ways, though, for instance, the 11.9-inch instrument display is on the small and wide side, specifically so that it's easily viewed through the steering wheel, and that proved true. We appreciate Audi considering the steering wheel, too, as we've been in a few recent cars that have an enormous instrument screen with portions hidden by the wheel. It's even more useful now as Audi has returned the ability to view maps on the instrument display. However, it also looks weirdly out of place with a county's worth of black plastic bezel surrounding it.The infotainment screen, which measures 12.8 inches, also has a more streamlined interface, adopting useful shortcuts along the driver side to access major controls. However, it now incorporates climate controls on the screen, rather than the old model's physical controls. They're still relatively easy to use, but we appreciate physical controls, especially when they feel good. Similarly, the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel aren't great.AudiThe Q3's new control stalks behind the wheel, though, are textbook examples of satisfying switchgear. Audi has made a big deal about the shifter moving to the column, sitting on one side of a somewhat sleek looking stalk mount. On the other side is a stalk with lights, turn signals, and washer controls. It looks odd, but it's actually quite normal in use, somewhat like what you'll find in a modern Mercedes, but with more flair. The left stalk is very slick to use, too. The turn signal switch has a solid snap to it, and the little wiper wheel has crisp clicks. It's quite pleasing.Audi does provide plenty of nice standard features. In addition to the wood trim and leather upholstery, the interior features a panoramic sunroof and three-zone automatic climate control. The infotainment system has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a wireless phone charger sits in the center console. An upgraded sound system, high-power USB-C ports, heated steering wheel, and head-up display are all available options.Audi Powertrain & Driving: Just Shy Of A Hot Hatch As we've already touched on, the Q3 has just one powertrain, and it makes significantly more power than before. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, increases of 27 horsepower and 22 lb-ft. It also has dropped the old 8-speed automatic for a 7-speed dual-clutch unit, which still sends power to all four wheels. The new model is barely heavier than the old one at 3,935 pounds to the old model's 3,913.Audi As a result, acceleration has improved significantly from 7.1 seconds for the previous generation, to just 5.5 for the current one. Those numbers also mean it's more powerful than basically any other base model in its class, particularly the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, as well as quicker to 60 mph. Its standard all-wheel drive also one-ups many options in the segment.Audi In a straight line, the Q3 does feel fairly swift, and the engine is pretty responsive without much waiting for boost. Still, despite the solid 0-60 time, it feels a step behind even sportier hatches like the VW GTI. The engine sound and refinement is also just average. It's not rough, but it's not especially smooth, either. It doesn't have a particularly sporty sound, either, which is a bit funny considering it's a cousin of the aforementioned GTI's engine.The transmission, though, is a great improvement over the conventional automatic. Shifts are way quicker and smoother, especially in manual mode. In fact, it's actually quite enjoyable to take command of the gear changes, especially as the programming in the various drive modes (Balanced, Dynamic, and Comfort) are either a bit sluggish on the comfort end, or too eager to hold a gear on the sporty end.Handling and ride also fall into a solid compromise of responsive and compliant. It's certainly on the firm side, and with the 20-inch wheels of our tester, it could hit a bit hard on larger bumps. We think, though, that you could add a lot of give with the smaller wheel options, and those would likely be worth considering in regions with rougher roads than the southern California countryside. While firm, it's still well-controlled, and in corners it feels stable and flat. It doesn't quite hit hot hatch fun, though, as the steering, while quick, lacks feel. The Q3 doesn't turn in particularly eagerly, probably in part due to that nearly 4,000-lb curb weight.Another odd thing about the Q3, despite featuring double-pane glass up front, is that we found a fair amount of road noise in our testing. This may also be tied a bit to the tires fitted to our 20-inch wheels. On some of the highly textured backroads, the noise was loud enough to be quite annoying. On some smoother highways, it did quiet down, but you'll want to take a test drive in your area to make sure it's not too noisy on your local pavement.AudiAs for fuel economy, the Q3 isn't especially frugal. Highway fuel economy tops out at 29 mpg, and city at 22 mpg. Combined fuel economy is 25 mpg. Audi did give Q3 a handy trick, though: it runs on regular fuel. In a segment that frequently recommends or requires premium, this is great, especially when it returns such good power. Verdict & Pricing: Catchy Title Where the Audi Q3 really impresses, though, is its price and value. The MSRP is $43,700, which comes to $44,995 with the $1,295 destination charge. It's only $445 more expensive than the much less powerful BMW X1 while including features that are optional on the BMW such as a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control. You can get a Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 for $42,850, but that version has less power and only powers the front wheels. The all-wheel-drive version is nearly identical in price at $44,850, but it's still less powerful and, like the BMW, lacks similar features like the panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, heated seats, and adjustable rear seats.2026 Audi Q3 front three-quarterIn fact, the Audi Q3 has few options. We've mentioned a few of them in the interior section, and they come in different packages. The most expensive package is the 20-inch wheel package at $1,800, and the Black Optic Package is the cheapest at $750. The Infotainment package is $1,000 and adds an upgraded sound system and high-power USB ports. The $1,400 Technology Package includes the head-up display and OLED tail lights. The Driver Assistance Package adds highway drive assist, a heated steering wheel, automatic parking, and a surround-view camera for just $1,250.The Audi Q3 might not be the most exciting little premium SUV, but it's refined and responsive enough to be enjoyable. When that's combined with striking styling, a luxurious cabin, and incredible value, it makes it one of the most appealing options in the segment.