Audi India officially confirmed the arrival of the new Q3 on October 16, 2026, with bookings already open by paying a token amount of around ₹1 lakh. The next-generation Audi Q3 will be priced at ₹55-60 lakh (ex-showroom) and will directly compete against the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. The new Audi Q3 will be locally assembled and will arrive as a petrol-only 2.0-litre TFSI engine with standard Quattro all-wheel drive.
Engine and drivetrain: 2.0 TFSI petrol and standard Quattro AWD
Audi India revealed that the new Q3 will be available with a single 2.0-litre direct injection turbo petrol engine (2.0 TFSI). The powertrain will churn out around 204 BHP and 320 Nm of torque with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new Audi Q3 will also feature standard Quattro all-wheel drive for improved traction and control in the Indian conditions.
The 2.0 TFSI petrol engine in the India-bound Q3 is expected to deliver around 0-100 kmph in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 229 Kmph. Unlike the competitors, the new Audi Q3 will be petrol-only without any diesel options. The new Q3 in India will also be offered in petrol-only variants as compared to the overseas markets where it is available with petrol, diesel, and PHEV powertrains. The new Audi Q3 is expected to deliver a balanced mix of performance and comfort without being overly sporty.
Exterion: Split lamps, configurable DRLs and sharper stance
The third-gen Audi Q3 looks sharper and more premium than the previous-gen model which has been on sale in India for the past four years.
Some of the key exterior highlights of the new Audi Q3 include:
Split headlamps with configurable LED DRLs as compared to the previous single-unit headlamps on the older Q3.
More upright front bumper with a sports sedan-like grille.
Body-colour cladding, chrome-plated belt line, and black accents on the roof and windscreens.
The 18-inch alloy wheels in a twin-tone design with black accents with a higher grade on the top trims.
Split tail lamps, illuminated Audi logo, and roof spoiler on the rear end.
The new Audi Q3 in India will be available with a choice of three variants of 18, 19, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Overall, the new Audi Q3 looks premium and closer to the production design of the Q6 e-tron and the recently launched A5.
Interior highlights: Dual screen, Sonos audio, panoramic sunroof
The new Audi Q3 will also get a much-needed upgrade in terms of interior luxury, technology, and convenience features.
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The new Audi Q3 will feature a dual-screen setup with the following highlights:
An 11.9-inch digital Audi Virtual Cockpit.
A 12.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system with the latest MMI software.
Four-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel with an upmarket look.
The gearshift lever on the steering column frees up space on the centre console.
The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light.
Sonos premium surround sound system is also expected to debut on the Audi Q3, which will be a step above the standard branded audio systems from Bose, Bang & Olufsen, and others.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless smartphone charging.
Dual-zone (in some reports, 3-zone) automatic climate control.
The 360-degree camera system with multiple views and parking sensors.
Simpler cabin than before with reduced number of physical switches with most of the controls being shifted to the central touchscreen. Overall, the new Audi Q3 will offer a more connected and modern cockpit than before with the bigger screens and enhanced convenience features.
Expected variants and price
Audi India has not officially confirmed the variants for the India-bound Q3. The next-gen Audi Q3 is expected to debut in two-three variants, including the Premium Plus, Technology, and S line trims. The base variant is expected to start at around ₹50-55 lakh with the top trims expected to be priced at ₹55-60 lakh (ex-showroom).
The new Audi Q3 is expected to be priced higher than the current-gen model which is priced at ₹43.67-53 lakh, which makes sense as most of the new cars are launched at a higher price point with time. With local assembly, the new Audi Q3 will also be able to maintain its positioning against the BMW X1 and the Mercedes-Benz GLA which are also assembled in India.
Competitors: BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Mini Countryman, Volvo XC40 and Volkswagen Tiguan
The new Audi Q3 will primarily compete against the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and to a certain extent, the Mini Countryman, Volvo XC40, and the Volkswagen Tiguan. The new Audi Q3 will offer standard all-wheel drive, which would be a key advantage over the competitors, which typically offer front-wheel drive as standard with all-wheel drive as an option. The other USP of the new Audi Q3 will be its split headlamps with configurable DRLs and the Sonos premium audio system, which will be first-time features on the Q3. However, the segment is highly competitive, and buyers considering the Audi Q3 should also look at the alternatives.
Who should buy the new Audi Q3?
The new Audi Q3 is the perfect entrée-level luxury SUV for buyers who want a combination of premium image, all-wheel drive capability, and turbo petrol performance, along with modern technology. With a petrol-only powertrain, the Audi Q3 is best suited for buyers who want a petrol engine with improved torque figures and standard all-wheel drive for better control in Indian conditions. Buyers who prefer a petrol engine and want more technology in their next car, including the larger screens and a premium audio system, should consider the new Audi Q3. With the new Audi Q3 launching on October 16, 2026, interested buyers can visit the official Audi India website or the myAudi app to book a test drive at their nearest dealership. If you are considering buying the BMW X1 or the Mercedes-Benz GLA, make sure to test drive the new Audi Q3 and see for yourself if it fits your requirements.
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