Audi Q3 e-hybrid (2026) Review

NOW there’s a good looking car. How do I know? People keep telling me, and looking, and even pointing.

And it is. The brand new Audi Q3 is a real beauty. I’ve said it before, but I just don’t know how Audi stylists do it. They remodel and resculpt and end up with something that looks completely Audi yet better, fresher, more modern, and that’s what they have done with the latest Q3.

I always felt the old Q3 was a bit of a poor relation, a good car, yes, but one that lived in the shadow of the larger Q5. It was less of the same so you’d generally raid the deepest recesses of the sofa to find enough money to buy the bigger version.

New Q3 puts an end to that. I’d be more than happy to have a Q3 which is now very much its own man, or woman.

Front, back, side or three quarters, the Q3 is a stunning looking car, a real eye-catcher, well proportioned, very modern, with great lights fore and aft. It is distinctive and something anyone would be proud to have on the drive – who uses their garage nowadays?

If you like the outside then you are going to love the interior too. It feels different. The fascia and dash are one big touchscreen complete with haptics. Nothing wrong with that especially as the tech is nice and intuitive. The infotainment is sensational.

But the switchgear feels new. Gone have the conventional stalks and instead there are switches on a fixed bar. It’s hard to describe so you are going to have to take a look for yourself.

The indicators are at your fingertips, the washer/wipers, for the front and back, the same. It feels contemporary and cool, it’s also tactile and pleasing to use.

It’s the same with the rest of the interior. Lovely materials throughout the cabin ooze quality. Ergonomics are flawless. It feels special, sporty and the perfect place for the discerning driver.

And this is a car for drivers. Yes, it will get you from A to B in perfect comfort leaving all occupants ache-free and relaxed. But it’s also for those people who want more from their car, an experience, a thrill, a delight.

To do this Audi employs the very latest hybrid technology. The figures are startling. It’s only a 1.5 litre four cylinder petrol yet it turns out 272PS – that doesn’t compute. That’s because more than half the power comes from a plug-in hybrid electrical system, which will purr along in EV mode for 65 miles before the internal combustion engine kicks in.

As well as boosting performance – will 0-62mph in just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 134mph do you – it also aid economy and emissions. With the battery charged the miles per gallon is 150 and when it’s out it is still 45MPG.

All you need now are good brakes, check, sharp steering, check, refined ride, check, and limpet-like grip from lovely big, wide alloys, check. Yep, it’s got all of those and perfect poise and balance so drivers are going to love it as I certainly did.

Audi’s Q3 is a delight. It looks fantastic, has a brilliant interior and drives superbly well. It’s an EV when you fancy it, such as in town, its ICE when you don’t and when you need the full performance, for the open road, it’s both. Love it.

‍