We recently joined Audi in Cape Town at a posh location in Stellenbosch to launch and drive an equally posh new generation Audi Q3 that features radical exterior and in the interior design, a transmission upgrade for one of the derivatives, and a very extensive list of features to tick off in true Audi fashion.
The looks of the Q3 might be divisive but they are what the car needed.
There are quite a few vehicles that are beginning to look a bit long in the tooth, what with the influx of "you know who" coming in with products that look to completely outshine existing brands by introducing out-of-this-world exterior designs and quick facelifts. The previous Audi Q3 had been one of those cars that needed a design update and with the new Q3, Audi has really made a statement of intent . As Audi's best seller, the Q3 is one of those models the brand really can't get wrong either outside or inside, so they had to get the looks right.
The new Q3 does make a statement, especially when you go for the higher trims like the S line - where it gets even cooler. It all begins at the front, where you now have a bigger face that houses a revised Singleframe grille, which is flanked by tapered or separated headlight fixtures that comprise LED daytime running lights on top. In line with recent Audis where the LED lights have a dynamic welcome function, the new Q3 adopts the same with selectable lighting signatures. Below the DRLs are the LED headlights, which now come standard with Matrix LED headlights on higher trims. There is now the option of Digital Matrix headlights that enhance night illumination. There is a new lighting feature called Lane light with orientation light which enhance road lanes alignment for drivers at night. It's a feature that has been available on the eTron super sedan and has now been made available on the new Q3.
The side profile changes still offer the Q3 and Audi design DNA with Quattro wheel arch blisters on both the Sportback or SUV, with the Sportback losing out on roof racks. There are no flush door handles but Audi has styled the Q3 door handles to have fewer edges and more bulges on the side profile, improving aerodynamics and also create an effect that makes the chosen colour pop in the sunlight.
There will be eight option on wheel designs available across the range, ranging from 18-inch to 19-inch sizes, including a 19-inch Audi Sport wheel design on selected derivatives. Customers can choose from eleven exterior paint finishes, including the new Sage Green metallic and Madeira Brown Polar Matte colors.
For customers seeking greater individuality, Audi exclusive offers additional personalization options. The rear is where things get a bit more dynamic because just like the front, here you have stacked but separated taillights, with the top part serving as your daytime OLED lights, and the lower part is connected by a light bar below. These lights do pay homage to the existing e-Tron models in the Audi range. The Audi rings logo can also be illuminated for that additional wow factor at night.
A new interior that has the signature Audi Virtual Cockpit has been included
"The interior of the all-new Audi Q3 combines clean lines, premium materials and a more spacious layout to create an environment centred around comfort and usability."
The old Q3 showed its age the most when you stepped into the interior, so the new Q3 has done an overhaul that comprises big screens, top-quality materials, and ample space. The first thing anyone will notice upon entry is the two joint screens, which comprise an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and a curved 12.8-inch MMI touch display to create a driver-focused interface that comes as standard with MMI navigation plus and supports Android Auto together with Apple CarPlay.
For the first time, there will be fabrics made from 100% recycled polyester and selected recycled materials, which will be integrated into the dashboard and interior surfaces. This means there are fewer piano black accents in the cabin, which is a big plus. Speaking of fabrics, occupants will be treated to soft-touch materials, leather-wrapped seating, and up to 30 colors of configurable ambient lighting. For those seeking premium sound, Audi offers a 12 Speaker, 400 watts Sonos sound system thats custom designed for the Audi Q3.
Of course the Four Rings marque has catered to the all you tech crazy people
Audi South Africa will offer exclusive packaging for the amount of tech richness for the "tech geeks" out there. These packages will group key comfort, digital, safety and driver assistance features into three optional technology packages.
Tech package: Introduces core convenience and assistance technologies including park assist plus with 360° display, adaptive cruise control, rear-view camera functionality, high-beam assist, keyless access and locking, electrically folding exterior mirrors, an auto-dimming interior mirror and front seat lumbar support.
Tech Plus package: Includes all features from the Tech package, while adding progressive steering, side assist with exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist and proactive occupant protection systems.
Tech Pro package: Includes all features from the Tech and Tech Plus packages, while further enhancing the experience through Trained Parking, adaptive cruise assist plus with emergency assist, surround-view cameras, suspension with two-valve damper control, red brake calipers, electrically adjustable front seats and memory functionality for the driver seat and exterior mirrors.
This is an exciting year for Audi as the brand aims to bring back the "fun"
In one of the presentations, Head of Audi South Africa, Markus Schuster, took to the stage to share that the brand will be undergoing a revitalization, so to speak, that will tap into some exciting models that are to come, like the RS3 Limited, which is already sold out as only three are coming to Mzansi. Lastly, the newly unveiled RS5 sedan and station wagons will be the brand's fastest vehicles available, boasting stunning performance while being eco- conscious.
Not all are performance-filled, though, as some more "practical" options are also destined for Mzansi, like the new Q5, which is due to come in around September to October this year. Major emphasis was then placed on the incoming Q9, which will be the brand's official flagship model in the D9 segment, in which the German brand was previously inactive. The car will be unveiled by the end of this year to make way for local introduction in the last quarter of Q3 next year.
Hardware under the skin of the new Q3
The all new Q3 will be available with just two engine options to choose from which is a TFSI petrol 4 cylinder that produces 110kW and 250 Nm or a diesel 2.0 TDI that produces 110kW and 360 Nm and both engines will be paired to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. All models are positioned to recieve and offer the signature quattro all-wheel-drive system as standard. A 140kW Quattro Q3 will be launched early 2027 for those seeking more power and the added advantage of all wheel drive.
The mid size SUV is also engineered to cater to those who are more for enthusiastic driving as Audi claim that the suspension has experience some tweaks which will see the optional suspension with damper control contribute to improved comfort, agility and refinement across a variety of driving conditions.
How much will the new Q3 go for?
As far as pricing goes, one can either choose a diesel variant in all trims or a petrol variant in all trims, as opposed to a diesel engine being only a top-of-the-range option. The car will be priced from:
| Trim | SUV | Sportback | |
| 1.4 TFSI 110kWS tronic | Q3 | R814 200 | R849 200 |
| Q3 Advanced | R867 000 | R902 000 | |
| Q3 S line | R904 000 | R939 000 | |
| Q3 S line Black | R929 000 | R964 000 | |
| Trim | SUV | Sportback | |
| 2.0 TDI 110kWS tronic | Q3 | R852 500 | R887 500 |
| Q3 Advanced | R905 300 | R940 300 | |
| Q3 S line | R942 300 | R977 300 | |
| Q3 S line Black | R967 300 | R1 002 300 |
All models are sold with a standard 5-year/100,000 km Audi Freeway Plan. To support vehicle finance planning, customers are encouraged to explore Audi Financial Services solutions, including Audi Assured Guaranteed Future Value, which provides greater flexibility at the end of the finance term.