The 2022 Audi Q3 compact SUV went on sale earlier this year with some second-generation chassis upgrades. The five-passenger crossover debuted in 2019 with a 1.5-inch increase in height and 3.8-inch increase in length over the previous model. The Q3 brought a sharper design inspired by the large three-row SUV Q8.
In addition to the sharper lines, the Audi has a new grille with a frame with chrome slats that emphasize the width of the car. LED headlights with high beam assist are now standard with LED taillights. High beam assist automatically dims the high beams when approaching traffic.
The Q3 has a larger interior, offering more head, leg and shoulder room in both rows, and more cargo space behind the first and second rows. It comes with an extended, foldable second row that also folds flat for more storage space. An adjustable boot floor allows the driver to choose between more storage space under the floor or more vertical space.
Available on the Q3 S Series, the Sport Interior Sports Package includes contrast-stitched seats, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, brushed aluminum inserts and orange Alcantara trim on the dashboard and armrests. A panoramic moonroof and heated leather seats are standard on all trims. Windshield wipers are also included.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster is standard. A 12.3-inch screen is optional. The standard infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has a diagonal of 8.8 inches. The upgraded screen is 10.1 inches. Four USB ports, including A and C, are spread throughout the cabin.
The Q3 offers a single engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that develops 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It accelerates to 60 mph (mph) in 7 seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard with all-wheel drive.
Standard Q3 wheels are 18 inches. The Q3 S Line comes with 19-inch wheels and 20-inch wheels. The S Series can be ordered with all-season or summer tires.
2022 Audi Q3 S line quattro
In 2022, the Audi Q3 comes with the next-generation infotainment system with MIB 3. Audi side assist with rear pass and Audi Parking System plus are now standard equipment. An available Convenience Package offers 8-way power front seats with memory for the driver's seat, automatic power mirrors with memory, and a Homelink garage door opener. A bird's-eye view camera makes parking easy.
In practice, Apple CarPlay has been on and off a few times, but the screen looks good and is well integrated into the dash. For some automakers, this looks like a design, with the screen simply affixed to a convenient spot on the dashboard. Volume, climate and fan speed have easy-to-reach adjustment buttons.
The seats are firmer than average and a little tight for a wider driver, but the adjustments make it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The 2022 Q3 is a compact SUV, so it feels cramped with two kids in the backseat.
On the road, the Q3 has Normal, Sport and Comfort settings that affect the throttle, transmission, steering and suspension. The audio has some of the biggest spread in these modes, with Sport having extremely high gear tension, while Comfort dampens almost everything Midwestern roads have to offer.
There's also a new off-road mode. Adjust the traction control and raise the Q3 as high as possible on its suspension. Even at normal height, the Q3's quattro all-wheel drive is stable on the road. With the new setup, it only needs mud tires to become a good off-road machine.
The 2.0-liter has plenty of power stationary and on the highway. During swerving maneuvers, shift multiple gears for maximum acceleration. The brakes are a little longer than expected, but still make confident stops.
In terms of safety, Audi's front-sensing emergency braking and windshield wipers are standard. Audi's Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop-and-go function, parking sensors, overhead camera and Park Assist are additional options.
The 2022 Audi Q3 starts at $36,400 and competes with the Acura RDX ($38,400), BMW X1 ($35,400) and Volvo XC40 ($36,350). The Acura RDX is perhaps the most attractive. Both it and the BMW X1 are fun to drive. The Buick Encore GX also falls into this size category and costs significantly less at $24,200. Almost all of them get 30+ mpg on the highway.
The Audi Q3 is versatile. It's moderately spacious, it's quick enough not to get in the way, and it looks stylish enough to tell those around you that you can afford German luxury. It might be one of the cheapest ways to get German luxury, but it still works.