AUDI Q3 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

One of the smallest SUVs produced by Audi was redesigned in 2018 to look sportier. The redesigned headlamps, along with the large air inlets and the Audi’s new single-frame grille, defined a more masculine SUV like front-end.

From the side, the Q3 looked more muscular, with the shoulder line connecting the headlights and the rear lights.

The Q3 came with optional 20-inch beautiful alloy wheels.

The biggest change came with the Audi’s new interior design. It was entirely made of nice and soft touch materials, with lots of customisation available throughout the trim levels available.

From optional orange Alcantara accents on the door trims as well as on the dash, wood trims and aluminum door handles to standard leather seats, the new Q3 provided a unique design and offered great comfort even with the base model.

Audi designed the interior to be driver oriented, with the most of the controls and the display being 10 degrees tilted towards the driver.

The Q3 had keyless entry and keyless go, lots of safety features such as standard emergency braking system and automatic high beam headlights. Lane departure assist was also available.

The Q3 came with an optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System that used 15 speakers to provide three-dimensional audio.

In 2016, Audi introduced a final update for the first Q3 generation with a few details that differentiated the S-Line from the rest of the pack.

The Q3 was the compact crossover that tried to make life easier in and out of town, without fear of light off-road situations or when the snow on the streets was higher than a pair of stilettos. With its last update, the S-Line tried to get more attention from males since most Q3 customers were women.

On the outside, the S-Line Q3 featured a new front end. The outer air inlets were more extensive; the blade beneath the center channel was finished in the body color, and the Singleframe grille was stone gray. Its outer air inlets were split horizontally. The underbody protection was finished in a matte silver-tone at the front and rear bumper. While most of the S-Line versions from other Audi models featured silver door-mirrors caps, the Q3 kept the body-colored versions, like the rest of its range.

Inside, the 2016 version featured a similar look to the rest of the gang, except for the steering wheel that was enhanced with the S-Line logo on the lower spoke. The designers installed a few other aluminum inserts on the upper door sections and the center console.

Audi offered the S-Line package for the Q3 on the entire engine range, except for the SQ3, which was a real S model, not just an aesthetic package.

The compact-SUV Audi Q3 hit the market in 2011 and in 2015 it received a facelift that introduced new features and improved engines.

For the 2015 model, the Q3 came-up with more features and more horsepower under the hood. But its base model was still a front-wheel-drive vehicle, based on the PQ35 platform, featured all-wheel independent suspension regardless of the traction system if it was front- or all-wheel-drive.

The design had some subtle changes. The single-frame grille had a thicker chromed rim that was extended to the edge of the headlights. The lower air-vents were enlarged for better cooling in traffic and a different design was adopted for the lower lip.

Inside, the only noticeable change was for the steering wheel. With standard equipment, it was harder to see the differences. But a standard LED interior ambient lighting was in place.

Under the hood, all the engines gained few more horses. The diesel units gained only eight and four hp, while the gasoline units had received up to 10 hp more. The biggest gain was for the top-model RS Q3, which gained 30 hp. For the transmission, the same 6-speed automatic gearbox was in charge and available as an option, while the standard was a 6-speed manual. The best fuel-efficient engine remained the 1.4-liter TSI engine, that received a cylinder deactivation system.

With the crossovers growing market, it was time for Audi to release a vehicle with the practicality of a hatchback and the capabilities of an SUV.

The Q3 was the smallest edition in the Audi’S Q line-up and it was a strong competitor to the BMW X1 and the Range Rover Evoque.

The exterior design of the Q3 was borrowed from the bigger Q5, however, the car’s dimensions were reduced.

The Q3 offered great room for 5 adults, along with plenty of load space.

The quality of the interior was stunning and modern with the sat-nav screen that popped out of the dashboard.

The compact premium SUV came with standard two front airbags, thorax-pelvis side airbags and curtain heads airbags.

The practicality of the Q3 was undeniable with the 460 liters for the load area, as well as the foldable rear seats that considerably increased the cargo space if needed.

The Q3 was available with a choice of three 4-cylinder engines, 2 gasoline and 1 diesel.

The engines were 2.0-liters powerplants with power ranging between 170 hp and 211 hp.

The engines available were mated with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed S-tronic automated transmission.

The driver could select the preferred driving mode using the Audi drive select system which was available with 4 driving modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency.