By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL
Audi’s new Q3 has arrived and because of one potentially divisive feature it’s making big news.
While the family favourite SUV has had a complete overhaul inside and out, it’s the way Audi’s reinvented or ‘eliminated’ the indicator stalk in favour of an indicator ‘pad’ that’s got everyone talking.
Whether that’s yet another motoring gimmick or a clever bit of space-saving design remains to be seen, but it’s by no means the only redesigned feature on Audi’s all-new Q3.
The third generation compact SUV has seen its exterior revamped to look more like the bigger Q5, had a whole suite of new interior technology added, and comes with a plug-in hybrid option that can do 75 EV miles on a single charge.
The Q3 is a very important model for Audi, as it makes up a huge chunk of sales in the UK and Europe; last year it was the fourth best-selling model in the German manufacturer’s line-up, shifting 13,282 units.
Due to go on sale later this year, here’s everything we know so far about the small, petrol-powered all-new Q3 SUV.
The all-new Audi Q3 is here but despite a completely new interior and exterior design, there's just one feature everyone's talking about....
Rarely does a new steering wheel control unit design get so much attention, but Audi has come up with an entirely new format in the Q3 that apparently ‘has great practical benefits’.
Audi used to have the gear selector in the center console, but on the all-new Q3 that’s been replaced.
Instead the gear selector has moved to a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel – a standard move in many new automatic and electric cars. The stalk on the left is now a controller for the lights and has a scroll button for windscreen wipers.
But Audi's also designed a wraparound panel behind the steering wheel that has a rocker pad on the left which you move up and down to indicate, replacing the traditional indicator stalk we've been using since the dawn of modern cars.
While shifting the gear selector does save space in the center console for two cup holders, a cooled intuitive charging tray and extra USB-C ports, this might not be a winning argument for many drivers who just want a simple indicator stalk.
Tesla went stalkless in 2024 with the new Model 3 but its indicator buttons proved to be so unpopular that the US EV maker had to bring an indicator stalk back for the new Model Y.
Audi's got rid of the traditional left indicator stalk, instead replacing it with a rocker pad
Interior updates and tech updates for the Q3
The indicator reinvention is by no means the only major change in the interior of the all-new Q3.
Pretty much everything in fact is different, as the interior has been completely refreshed.
Instead of the luxurious but sensible cabin in the second generation Q3, the third generation has a much younger feel with a ton of ambient lighting, a modern minimal dash taken from the other new Audis of late, and upgraded tech.
The clean, sparse dash with minimal buttons is very similar to the new Q5, and is dominated by the new panoramic infotainment system.
The dual-screens combine a 11.9-inch driver’s display with a larger 12.8-inch touchscreen for passengers, assisted by AI and complemented by a head-up display and a simplified menu layout.
Dual-screens combine a 11.9-inch driver’s display with a larger 12.8-inch touchscreen for passengers, assisted by AI.
Boot space hits 575 litres with the seats up, up from 530 litres on the previous generation
More sustainable materials have also been chosen – from recycled polyester to velour made from old fishing nets.
Boot space maxes out at 575 litres with the seats up, up from 530 litres on the previous generation.
With all the seats down capacity expands to 1,386 litres – enough to haul around some flatpack furniture.
The new generation Q3 SUV looks a lot like the bigger Q5 model but takes hints from the A6 Avant at the rear
The Q3’s taken a big step up, morphing into a mini Q5 and looking a lot better for it.
The second generation was starting to look dated, but this all-new Q3 has a massive single-frame grille, thin daylight running lights, and hidden main headlights – all of which are a big improvement on its predecessor and create a Q5-like presence.
Go round to the back of the Q3 and it has the same light bar and rear lights as the A6 Avant, as well as an illuminated Audi four-ring badge.
It’s certainly more grown up and attention grabbing than the other two versions.
Based on the same VW Group MQB platform from before, the Q3 shares a lot of the smaller A3’s powertrain choices.
There are two petrol engines you can choose from, 150hp or 204hp, as well as a single 150hp diesel option.
But the main pull is the plug-in hybrid car that will allow you to drive 75 miles on electric power alone and gives you a spicier 272hp.
The main engine pull is the plug-in hybrid variant that will allow you to drive 75 miles on electric power alone and gives you a spicier 272hp
Audi's committed to bringing plug-in hybrids to the market up to 2033 and beyond, so this Q3 is just the start of many exciting, new PHEV options.
And those EV miles should be even more enjoyable to drive as the Q3 has a new suspension set up for improved comfort that minimises body roll and allows the car to glide over bad road surfaces.
There's also additional driver assist systems, including emergency assist that guides to the hard shoulder and self-park mode.
The all-new Q3 will arrive in September and start from £38,300. The top Edition 1 version will cost over £50,000
Audi's sold more than two million Q3s globally since the small SUV launched in 2011.
The third generation will cost from £38,300 and will be offered in three trim options. The top spec Edition 1 will start from just over £50,000 and come with Quattro all-wheel drive.
Get ready for the Q3 to come to the UK in September and be followed by a Sportback variant a few months later.
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