- The next iteration of the Audi Q3 has entered final testing with minimal camouflage.
- It sports a more curvaceous design with split lighting units and a pronounced grille.
- The new Q3 should launch in North America early next year, priced around $40,000.
Update 9/8: We just got our hands on new spy shots of a nearly undisguised prototype of the new Audi Q3, offering a fresh look at the car. Alongside these latest photos, we’ve also gathered all the most recent details we have about the compact SUV.
The all-new, third-generation 2026 Audi Q3 must be feeling frisky as it’s running around town virtually undisguised. This is a boon for us as we can clearly see the production body. The changes are immediately apparent as the redesigned crossover adopts a more curvaceous front fascia with a rounded mesh grille. The latter is flanked by split lighting units and a prominent central intake.
More: 2026 Audi Q3 To Get Split Headlights And Hybrid Powertrains
On the lighting front, the new Q3 flaunts slim headlights with individual pixel-like segments, echoing the larger Q6 e-tron. These headlamps not only offer customizable daytime running signatures but also come packed with advanced lighting functions – though, obviously, what you get will vary by trim.
Moving further back, we can see evolutionary bodywork that features a mix of soft curves and sharp lines. More notably, the compact SUV appears to have grown in size as we can see larger third quarter glass. Other key highlights include a sleeker roof, a sportier D-pillar, and more pronounced wheel arches. It also has a distinctive rear end with a pronounced bumper and heavily stylized taillights.
Photos Baldauf
While the prototypes seen so far are standard five-door SUVs, a sportier Sportback variant with a more aggressive, sloping roofline—sacrificing some cargo space for added style—is expected to join the new Q3 lineup soon. However, it remains to be seen if Audi will bring this model to the US, given that the current generation never crossed the Atlantic.
Spy photographers haven’t caught a glimpse inside yet, but the crossover will presumably follow in the footsteps of newer models such as the A5 and Q6 e-tron. If that’s the case, the cabin could feature an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster that flows into a 14.5-inch infotainment system. They may even be joined by an optional 10.9-inch front passenger display.
Engine Options
While engine options haven’t been confirmed yet, the Q3 is likely to share powertrains with its MQB platform siblings, the European Volkswagen Tiguan and the new Seat Terramar. This means a lineup of 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter gasoline engines, a 2.0-liter diesel, and two plug-in hybrid options boasting up to 268 horsepower and over 70 miles (113 km) of electric range. However, North American buyers will face a more limited selection, restricted to gasoline engines in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations.
Alongside the standard models, expect a high-performance SQ3 and possibly the final iteration of the raucous 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder RS Q3, pushing around 400 horsepower, to join the range.
Pricing and launch timeline
Audi is expected to unveil the new Q3 in the coming months, with a North American launch likely following early next year as a 2026 model. While it’s too early for pricing details, given the current model starts at $37,400 and the latest BMW X1 is priced at $40,950, it’s reasonable to expect the new Q3 to come in at around $40,000.
