Audi Q3 Review

The Malaysian C-Segment SUV market has always been highly competitive, with family users and young consumers looking for a model that balances practicality, features, and brand quality. As a new contender in this segment, the 2026 Audi Q3 public focuses on upgraded features and balanced driving performance. In this test drive, we will focus on verifying its performance in daily usage scenarios and assessing whether it can stand out among its peers in the same segment.

From the exterior, the 2026 Q3 public continues Audi's family design language, with simple and smooth lines. The front features a large hexagonal grille with blackened horizontal slats, offering high recognizability; the sharp-shaped LED headlights on both sides connect seamlessly to the edges of the grille, visually extending the width of the front. The vehicle's side retains compact SUV proportions, with a waistline running from the front to the rear, accompanied by 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, giving it a stable overall stance. At the rear, the LED taillight adopts a through-line design, offering clear visual effects when lit; the lower portion of the rear bumper includes silver skid plate embellishments, enhancing the SUV's robust feel. The lighting system comes standard with LED light sources, and automatic headlights and daytime running lights are also included, ensuring sufficient convenience for daily use.

Inside the car, the interior style leans towards a minimalist and technological design. The center console is wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by metallic trim, meeting the tactile and visual quality of the Audi brand. The central area is equipped with a 10.1-inch touch screen, featuring an intuitive interface and support for CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The instrument cluster is fully digital and offers multiple display modes, clearly showing speed, RPM, navigation, and other information. The seats are wrapped in leather material, with the front seats supporting electric adjustment and featuring good support for the backrest and cushion; the rear seats allow a 40:20:40 split, further expanding trunk space. Feature-wise, keyless entry/start, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air-conditioning vents, and front wireless charging are all available, meeting the daily needs of family users.

In terms of space, the 2026 Q3 public has body dimensions of 4484mm in length, 1856mm in width, and 1616mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2680mm. The front row provides ample room, offering a fist-sized space above the head for a passenger 175cm tall after seat adjustment; the rear-row legroom is about two fists, with headroom at one fist, satisfying long-duration seating needs for adult passengers. For storage, the front central armrest box is moderately sized, capable of holding phones, wallets, and similar items; the door panel storage slots can fit two bottles of mineral water. The trunk has a standard capacity of 530L, which can expand to 1525L with the rear seats folded down, making it suitable for carrying large luggage or baby strollers.

In terms of power, the 2026 Q3 public is equipped with a 1.4TFSI turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum power of 150PS and a maximum torque of 250N·m, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. During daily driving, power response is quick at startup, and just a slight press on the accelerator provides good acceleration. While driving at low to medium speeds, the gearbox shifts smoothly with almost no jerkiness; during high-speed overtaking, stepping hard on the accelerator quickly downshifts the gearbox, delivering direct power output and making the overtaking process easy. The driving modes include Comfort, Eco, and Sport. In Comfort mode, power output is smooth, making it suitable for urban commuting; in Sport mode, throttle response is more sensitive, and the engine maintains higher RPMs, suitable for situations requiring rapid acceleration.

The handling and chassis performance are commendable, with precise steering and minimal play in the steering wheel. The steering feel is light during daily driving and automatically becomes heavier at higher speeds to improve stability. The suspension system adopts a combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, which is tuned for comfort. When passing over speed bumps or bumpy roads, it effectively filters out most vibrations, ensuring passengers in the car do not feel significant jolts. When cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, the suspension provides sufficient support, and gives the driver enough confidence. In terms of fuel consumption, the actual measured fuel consumption under mixed road conditions is approximately 7.5L/100km, which is close to the official data of 7.2L/100km, placing its fuel economy at the upper middle level among models in the same class.

As for driving comfort, the vehicle does a good job of controlling noise. At speeds below 60km/h, tire noise and wind noise are not noticeable. When the speed exceeds 80km/h, wind noise slightly increases but does not affect in-car conversations. The seats provide good wrapping and support, making long drives not fatigue-inducing. The rear seats have a reasonable angle, and the backrests can be slightly adjusted to further enhance riding comfort. The braking system performs stably, with a moderate pedal stroke. The braking force is linear in the early stages, and during emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a stable posture without significant nose-diving.

Overall, the core highlights of the 2026 Audi Q3 public are its balanced configuration, solid driving and handling performance, and practical space design. Compared to competitors in the same class such as the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Q3 public has an advantage in terms of configuration richness and offers better value for money. Compared to Japanese models such as the Toyota RAV4, it excels in brand quality and interior craftsmanship.

This car is suitable for families that value brand quality, practical features, and balanced driving performance. It can handle daily commuting as well as weekend family outings. Young consumers who prioritize technological features and brand influence may also consider it. All in all, the 2026 Audi Q3 public is a well-rounded C-Segment SUV with certain competitiveness in the same-class market.