2026 · Compact luxury SUV

Audi Q3: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured

The third-generation Q3: a 255-hp turbo four, quattro and a sliding rear bench.

Figures are for the Q3 S line quattro. Last checked Oct 24, 2026.

Open the Q3 in the 3D lab

Where it stands among compact SUVs

#9 of 17Large suitcases, packed: 4
#7 of 17Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver: 21 ft
#7 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 67 mph

Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.

At a glance

Starting price, this trim	$45,095PublishedAudi
Powertrain	2.0 L turbo four (EA888, engine code DRND), direct injection · quattro (on-demand multi-plate clutch to the rear axle)
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	5.3 sTestedCar and Driver
Braking 70–0 mph, tested	183 ft (55.8 m)TestedCar and Driver
EPA combined	25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Cargo behind the second row	25.0 cu ft (708 L)PublishedAudi
Large suitcases, packed	4Simulated from Audi
Seats	5Published
Crash ratings	IIHS crash tests G/P/G

Acceleration

Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.

Power	255 hp (190 kW)PublishedAudi
Torque	273 lb-ft (370 Nm)PublishedAudi
0–60 mph, tested or claimed	5.3 sTestedCar and Driver
0–60 mph, our simulation	5.5 sSimulated from Car and Driver
Passing, 50–70 mph	4.2 sTestedCar and Driver
Quarter mile	14.1 sTestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Shove

Braking and stopping distance

The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.

Braking 70–0 mph, tested	183 ft (55.8 m)TestedCar and Driver
Braking 60–0 mph, tested	128 ft (39.0 m)TestedMotorTrend
Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	374 ft (114.0 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction	286 ft (87.1 m)Simulated from Car and Driver
Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction	174 ft (52.9 m)Simulated from Car and Driver

Watch it in The Stop

Rollover

Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.

Sideways slide that trips it into a roll	11 mph (18 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs
Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height)	1.24Simulated, estimated inputs

Watch it in The Tipping Point

Efficiency and running costs

At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.

EPA combined	25 mpg (9.4 L/100 km)PublishedEPA
Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year	$2,687/yrDerivedEPA
Steady 75 mph, our simulation	31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs from Car and Driver
Drag coefficient	0.34PublishedAudi

Watch it in The Invisible Wall

Grip, snow and maneuvering

Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.

Skidpad grip, tested	0.84 gTestedCar and Driver
Cornering grip, our simulation	0.84 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Pulling away on packed snow	0.25 gSimulated from Car and Driver
Turning circle	38.7 ft (11.8 m)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)
Ground clearance	7.2 in (18 cm)EstimateCarExpert
Tires	Bridgestone Turanza LS100 255/40R20 97H RO M+S (optional 20-in wheel package; 235/55R18 all-seasons standard) · 255/40R20TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Grip Budget

Space, luggage and fit

Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?

Seats	5Published
Large suitcases, packed	4Simulated from Audi
Carry-ons in the space left	0Simulated from Audi
Cargo behind the second row	25.0 cu ft (708 L)PublishedAudi
Cargo, seats folded	49.9 cu ft (1,413 L)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)
Towing	1,500 lb (680 kg)PublishedAudi
Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver	+0.2 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver	+2.7 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver	+5.7 in (14 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger	+1.9 in (5 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in	+0.9 in (2 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs
Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in	−0.7 in head · −3.4 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs
Front head room, published	38.1 in (97 cm)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)
Rear head room, published	37.6 in (96 cm)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)
Rear leg room, published	36.1 in (92 cm)PublishedCar and Driver (Chrome Data)

Watch it in Live In It

Visibility

Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?

Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver	21 ft (6.4 m)Simulated
Ground visible within 33 ft ahead	38%Simulated

Watch it in Can You See Me?

Headlights and night stopping

IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?

IIHS headlight rating	GoodTestedIIHS
Low beams, straight road (right edge)	316 ft (96.3 m)TestedIIHS
Fastest you can stop inside the low beams	67 mph (108 km/h)Simulated from IIHS
High beams, straight road (right edge)	429 ft (130.8 m)TestedIIHS

Watch it in After Dark

Crash safety

Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.

IIHS small overlap front	GoodTestedIIHS
IIHS moderate overlap front (updated)	PoorTestedIIHS
IIHS side (updated)	GoodTestedIIHS
Curb weight	3,879 lb (1,759 kg)TestedCar and Driver

Watch it in The Impact

Q3 compared

Audi Q3 vs BMW X3

Other compact SUVs

Sources

Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.