2023 Audi Q3

The 2023 Audi Q3 gives you precisely what you would expect from a compact luxury crossover built by the Ingolstadt-based brand. The styling has a scaled-down Q8 look, which is a good thing, and it's solidly screwed together from premium materials; if you're looking for plenty of space, you're shopping in the wrong segment, though. A BMW X1 is roomier inside than the Q3, and has a more spacious trunk. It's also faster, with the Audi's base 184-horsepower engine failing to make much of an impression. Even the 228-hp variant, while adequate, won't challenge an X1 in a straight line and suffers a little lag in its initial responses. Ride and handling strike a good balance and the Q3 manages to be comfortable enough while maintaining pleasing agility and never feeling like it's going to trip over itself. The Audi Q3's competitors are fearsome, however, and its generally good blend of abilities might not be enough to topple class leaders like the new, redesigned X1, the suave Volvo XC40, or the classy Mercedes GLA. It is more than enough to keep a smile on the face of an Audi driver moving up from an A3 to the high-riding life, though.

The cost of the Audi Q3 is as low as $36,800 if you don't count taxes, registration, and a destination fee of $1,195. That's for the 40 TFSI Premium. The price of the 45 TFSI Premium version goes up to $39,200. The top-end Premium Plus goes for an MSRP of $40,100 with the base engine, and $42,500 when you opt for the 45 TFSI. Now could also be a good time to look for a used 2022 model for sale.

The Audi does well to provide a good balance between ride and handling and we think the suspension is judged just right to satisfy most people. Some have called it a little firm, but only the worse road scars penetrate the cabin and we prefer its surefooted and controlled ride above a wallowy setup that feels all at sea. It also ensures that there is enough of a spring in its step to take corners at speed without a feeling of impending doom. That being said, little about it is truly memorable, and it does not have the fun factor of even the outgoing X1, with the brand-new one possibly another step up. The base engine offers 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and is no more than adequate. The more powerful 228-hp and 258-lb-ft engine offers a decent turn of speed, but it does tend to lag a bit at low revs, especially when pulling away, and the transmission can become flummoxed on occasion, resulting in an abrupt shift. It's good enough for the class average, but does not rise to the top.

All the talk about being good enough might not be, well, good enough in this cutthroat class. With formidable rivals from Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the 2023 Q3 does tend to slip down the ranks as an also-ran, even though it doesn't do anything obviously wrong. The somewhat low-mounted infotainment screen isn't ideal, but the standard digital gauge cluster is great to have. Some cabin plastics might not be top-notch, but overall, the interior pulls off a convincing impression of premiumness. Drive it in isolation, and you'd be perfectly happy; this is obviously the case with many a commuter, considering this remains one of the brand's best-selling models. The Audi Q3 gets a good safety review from the NHTSA and a 76 out of 100 score from J.D. Power for reliability, so it isn't a bad purchase - we just think you can get better in the segment. The brand-new X1 is arguably the class act, improving on its forebear in every way. It is faster, roomier, and more fun to drive than the Audi, while maintaining all the upmarket cachet that comes with a premium badge on the hood.

Before even considering which trim to look at, the important decision is centered on which engine to go for. Those who prioritize gas mileage figures will be happy with the base 40 TFSI engine but will have to contend with slow take-offs and a little lethargy overall. We'd take the fuel economy hit and go for the 45 TFSI - and we'd go all-in for the Premium Plus trim too, purely because it unlocks the option to add all the available tech by means of the options list. Adding the Technology Package for the Virtual Cockpit, navigation, and upgraded sound system brings the total build cost to $46,395, including destination.