Audi->ke14 first produced the Q3->ke2666 compact crossover->ke288 in 2011, but didn’t bring it stateside until after a refresh for the 2015 model year. Since its star-spangled arrival, the luxury-oriented high-stance five-door has posted strong sales numbers, performing well in a segment fraught with competition. These days, demand for small SUVs->ke145 continues to grow unabated, which means Audi is giving the Q3 a second-gen update for the 2019 model year. Providing the Q3’s latest styling cues and equipment perks is Audi’s lineup of range-toppers, including the Q8 and the A8, while larger exterior dimensions and a turbocharged engine lineup round it out.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2019 Audi Q3.

2019 Audi Q3 Exterior Styling

While the 2019 Audi Q3 does indeed offer new styling, the overarching design is more or less identical to the outgoing model, with an upright stance, sharp angles, and deep cuts. Put it all together, and you get a high-profile crossover with tons of premium cues, many of which Audi pulled from the range-topping Q8 SUV.

And while we’d file the styling changes under the heading of “evolution rather than revolution,” there are a few notable aesthetics updates to point out.

Let’s start in front, where we find Audi’s signature Singleframe grille once again in full effect. This time around, though, the design uses a new octagonal shape, as opposed to the six-sided grille found on the previous model year. The nose also comes with eight vertical chrome slats for the grille insert, rather than the previous model’s horizontal slats, and the side intakes also get a bit of a reshape as well.

Higher up, we find the headlight housings, which get a sharp, drawn-back look that gives off more of a high-tech vibe compared to the older model’s trapezoidal housings. You’ll be able to buy the Q3 with three individual LED setups for forward illumination, including a range-topping Matrix LED layout that comes complete with an adaptive high-beam feature.

Moving around to the sides, we find the front and rear bookend the profile with symmetrical lighting graphics between the headlights and taillights, which are mirrored at the shoulder line with the same apostrophe-style shape. Wheel sizing includes 17-inchers, 18-inchers, and 20-inchers, all of which come with lightweight aluminum construction. What’s more, the 20-inch wheel option comes from Audi Sport GmbH, giving the Q3 a little extra performance spice in the process.

Housing the large alloy rollers, you’ll find flared-out wheel arches, which are intended to emphasize the crossover’s size and presence, even if it is a compact model. The plumped-up fenders also give a nod to the SUVs quattro drivetrain (more on that in the “Drivetrain” section). Further back, the angle of the D pillars helps to emphasize the car’s forward leaning rake. Polished window surrounds up the flash factor, and roof rails up the practicality side of things.

To add a dash of extra off-roader style, the Q3 comes with the option for contrasting paint added to the lower body cladding, which stretches from the nose to the rear. Offered in a matte-black finish, the lower cladding should help to ward off any bits of the terrain kicked up while exploring the path less traveled.

Finally, in the rear, the 2019 Q3 comes with a subtle trailing-edge roof spoiler, plus wide taillight housings that match the headlight design up front. The lower bumper once again comes with the same flat-black color, plus a pair of faux vents in the corners.

All told, Audi offers three exterior packages to enhance the Q3’s exterior styling. That includes the sporty S line package, which which adds new performance-oriented treatments to the bumpers, the sill trim, and the diffuser.

There’s also eleven paint options on the table.

Beyond the aesthetics, the Q3 is bigger than it was before, with the exterior dimensions including an increase to 14.7 feet in overall length, which is a 3.8-inch increase compared to the outgoing model. The 2019 Audi Q3 is also an inch wider than it was before, up to 6.1 feet in overall width, while the wheelbase gains a considerable 3 inches in length, up to 8.8 feet overall. All these size increases help to increase passenger comfort in the cabin, with expanded headroom, more elbow room, and greater knee room compared to the outgoing model year.

That said, the 2019 Q3 is also 0.2 inches shorter in terms of height, down to 5.2 feet overall. While this certainly gives it a little extra visual appeal, it might also have a small impact on interior headroom. No word yet on whether or not that is indeed the case.

Regardless, the 2019 Audi Q3 is still considered large for the compact segment. You can check out the exact exterior dimensions in the table provided below, which also includes the previous model year for the sake of comparison.

2019 Audi Q3 Interior Design

While the 2019 Audi Q3 pulls its exterior styling inspiration from the Q8 SUV, it takes its interior design cues from the A8 sedan. That includes not only the overarching look and layout, but also much of the equipment and specs as well.

Indeed, unlike the exterior aesthetic, the 2019 Q3’s interior is a bold new redesign compared to the outgoing model. Heading the list of upgrades is a new dual-level instrument panel, with the upper panel housing wide HVAC vents, and the lower panels used to house the various control bits. Like the front grille, the interior utilizes loads of octagonal and geometric shapes, from the dash, to the door panels, to the upper vents.

Standard spec includes a leather-clad three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, as well as chrome trim and detailing matched to high-gloss black surrounds.

You can also add in extra performance cues if desired, such as performance seating gear and a sporty steering wheel that’s angled to accommodate the more aggressive sport seating position. Electric seating adjustability is also optional, as is a rear center armrest with twin cupholders.

In total, buyers get three options for the equipment packages, each of which are offered independent of the exterior packages. Each of the three interior packages affect the available colors and materials in the cabin as well.

The interior lineup includes the base spec, the Audi design selection package, and the S line package. The latter of these throws in those aggressive sport seats we just talked about, plus optional upholstery in both leather and leatherette, paired to Alcantara. The Alcantara was added to the instrument panel and the door armrests, and arrives as a fresh option for the 2019 model year. As for the interior colors, the latest includes an optional orange hue, if you feel like going bright with it.

The contour/ambient lighting upgrade is added as standard on the Audi design selection package, throwing in nice-to-haves like new lighting accents for the center console and door panels. The upgrade comes with 30 different color options, while also adding lighting to the storage compartment located underneath the instrument panel, plus a ‘quattro” logo just above the glove box (as an alternative, cars without AWD get Audi’s Four Ring logo instead). Further additions include a dual-zone A/C system, an auxiliary heating feature, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic glass sunroof up top.

One of the 2019 Audi Q3’s biggest upgrades is in the infotainment department, where the instrumentation moves to an all-digital approach. Indeed, Audi says the Q3 no longer comes with any “analog instruments,” and that includes the stuff behind the steering wheel, where the available Audi Digital Cockpit ups the tech ante and desirability.

Considered one of Audi’s more popular equipment upgrades, the Audi Virtual Cockpit is essentially a configurable digital display, offering users a variety of info on demand to suit whatever their needs might be, whether it’s refined navigation directions, more detailed system information, or onboard assist status. The display comes with three separate modes, each of which is tailored to provide a unique combination of info based on your needs. The latest of these display modes is something Audi is calling an “extra sporty” display.

Taking a prominent spot on the dash is a new MMI touch response display, which offers users icon-based inputs. Think of it as an extra-wide mixed-media touchscreen. This unit is also tilted towards the driver by 10 degrees, offering easier usage from the hot seat.

Further control upgrades include a new pushbutton module to activate the headlights, which is added as a replacement for the rotary control used on the previous model. You’ll be able to find the new pushbutton control just to the left of the steering wheel.

Infotainment Specifics

As for the various equipment levels, the MMI radio plus system is the first option on offer, bringing a new instrument cluster that’s upgradeable to the Audi Virtual Cockpit system with added functionality. As such, the upgraded cluster comes with features like extensive music information and a raft of Audi connect services.

Meanwhile, the standard MMI radio comes with a digitized instrument cluster, which includes a 10.25-inch digital screen, all of which is controlled via the multifunction steering wheel. There’s also an optional navigation system that will route the maps directly to the display.

There’s also the MMI radio plus system, which throws in an MMI touch display with an 8.8-inch screen in the instrument panel. However, the range-topping options is the MMI navigation plus system, which gets a 10.1-inch touchscreen in the dash, plus a 10.25-inch digital display behind the steering wheel, both as standard. The digital screen behind the wheel can also get upgraded to the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit screen, if desired. The MMI navigation plus system also gets advanced voice control that allows user to give commands in “freely structured wording,” as well as a feature that offers route suggestions based on the driver’s preferences and previous navigation inputs. Real-time data and traffic info makes the journey even easier.

Up next on the infotainment feature list is Audi connect, which comes as standard on the range-topping infotainment system. Audi connect offers stuff like traffic info, point-of interest search, available parking spot information, gas station information, and more, all with helpful pricing and availability stats to boot.

What’s more, there’s vehicle-to-vehicle technology that will communicate between similarly-equipped vehicles, providing detailed information on things like on-road hazards (black ice, fog), as well as the current posted speed limit. Finally, Audi connect throws in stuff like media streaming, social media access, email access, online news, and more. To power it all, Wi-Fi comes as standard spec, with there’s the option for a range of data packages as well.

The optional Audi connect Navigation & Info system also throws in Google Earth and satellite imagery, and it includes a hybrid radio that will automatically switch between FM, DAB, or an online stream, depending on the signal strength.

Tying it all together, the myAudi app provides several of the Audi connect functions directly to your smartphone. For example, the system will automatically transfer navigation info from the phone to the infotainment screen as soon as you get into your car, and it can do remote stuff like lock and unlock the doors, provide info on the vehicle’s current status, provide parking lot location information, and turn on the optional auxiliary heater.

Rounding out the the infotainment features is the Audi phone box, which offers inductive wireless charging. There’s also two USB ports, a 12-volt socket in back, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

Finally, there’s an optional Bang & Olufsen audio system to provide the tunes, which offers up a virtual 3D sound profile by adding four speakers in the instrument panel and one speaker in each of the D pillars. The extra speakers are designed to enhance the “depth” of the sound, with 15 speakers total scattered throughout the cabin, plus up to 680 watts of power.

Driver’s Assists

As you might expect, the 2019 Audi Q3 comes with the very latest driver assists. Headlining the list is adaptive cruise control, which comes optional with the S tronic transmission, and includes both traffic jam assist and active lane assist. There’s also blind spot warning, parking assist, an around view monitor, and standard lane departure warning, the latter of which works at speeds over 37.3 mph and comes with automatic steering correction with a haptic warning for the driver.

Standard spec also includes Audi pre sense, which can detect hazards, pedestrians, and cyclists in front of the vehicle, and will provide a haptic warning through the steering wheel, as well as a visual and audible warning.

Practicality

To help underline its role as a practical crossover, the Audi Q3 gets more cargo room heading into the 2019 model year, expanding up to 530 liters total. There’s standard adjustment for the cargo area as well, with up to 675 liters offered depending on the position of the rear bench seat. For those of you living stateside, that’s between 18.7 cubic feet and 23.8 cubic feet. Fold the rear bench flat, and you get as much as 1,525 liters, or 53.9 cubic feet.

To help make the most of it, the rear seats can move nearly 6 inches forward or backward. The rear bench also comes with a 40/20/40 split feature with a seven-stage tilt, and there are three levels for the load floor.

The load sill height is set at 29.4 inches, which helps when loading up heavy cargo, while the parcel shelf can be stored underneath the loading floor, opening up even more room in the rear.

There’s also a storage and luggage compartment package offered as optional equipment, which adds nets to the seat backs of the front captain’s chairs, as well as storage under the front passenger seat. The package also tosses in some luggage compartment netting, plus LED lighting in the tailgate for late night cargo searches. You can open the tailgate with the key fob, or a give a little kick under the rear bumper.

2019 Audi Q3 Drivetrain And Performance

At launch, Audi is offering the new Q3 with four individual powerplant configurations, including three gas engines and a diesel. Power ranges between 150 horsepower and 230 horsepower.

Here in the U.S., expect a more limited selection, with buyers offered a single four-cylinder TFSI turbocharged gasoline engine making 190 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

Both FWD and quattro AWD are offered overseas, while U.S. models get quattro AWD as standard. Transmissions include both a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic, but again, U.S. buyers are limited to just the seven-speed unit.

Underneath the skin, the Q3 gets the Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix architecture. There’s new suspension bits as well, although the set-up is still MacPherson struts up front and a four-link in the rear. The track width is measured at 1,584 mm (62.4 inches) in front and 1,576 mm (62 inches) in the rear, and the longer wheelbase should help to soak up the bumps.

Optional equipment includes an upgraded suspension and damper control system, which comes with sensors that measure the lateral and longitudinal acceleration and will automatically adjust the settings to accommodate. There’s also optional hill descent control if you plan on tackling any steep, slippery grades.

The optional sport suspension is added as standard with the S line exterior package, and comes with stiffer springs and dampers, plus progressive steering as well.

The tires are sized at 244/40 at all four corners.

Finally, the Q3 comes with optional driving modes, with up to six settings total to customize as you see fit. Each setting tunes the settings for either more comfort or more performance, affecting the transmission, steering system, and throttle response.

2019 Audi Q3 Prices

For now, Audi has yet to reveal exact pricing information. However, with the outgoing model starting at $32,900, we wouldn’t expect a major price increase for the next generation.

Overseas, the Q3 will hit dealers in Germany and other European countries by November of 2018.

Interested buyers will have the option to get into a limited special edition model, which comes with black badging and additional paint choices, sport seats and contrast stitching in the upholstery, plus additional Alcantara wrapping.

2019 Audi Q3 Competitors

BMW X1

Without a doubt, the Q3’s main competition comes from the BMW X1. Known for its fun, very Bimmer-esque like ride and stout performance, the X1 is capable of hitting 60 mph in a mere 6.4 seconds thanks to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Routing the power is a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox, which feeds a standard AWD system. Pricing starts at $34,800.

Read our full review 2018 BMW X1.

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Put the CLA sedan on stilts, and you get the GLA. Inside is all the classy Merc gear you’d expect, while under the hood, a turbo four-cylinder mates with a seven-speed DCT for a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds. Standard spec is FWD, while AWD is optional. Pricing starts at $32,500.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Final Thoughts

The 2019 Audi Q3 is just about right for the segment. It’s a little bigger, adds extra space to an already roomy cabin, gets sharper exterior styling, and it comes dripping in technology.

And while it’s difficult to criticize, it’s not impossible. For example, we would like it if Audi managed to offer U.S. audiences additional drivetrain options - granted, the standard 190-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo would still make up the majority of sales, but having a few other possibilities on the table would help to broaden its appeal. Same goes with the interior spec - how about more affordable equipment levels?

That said, we see this next-gen update performing quite well all the same.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Audi Q8.

Read our full review on the 2018 Audi Q3.

Read more Audi news.