DecodedCars2018 Audi Q3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD, 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 172.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,494–3,682 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 15% below the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Audi Q3 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 173 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,494 lb (5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 15% worse than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Q3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Q3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD | 172.8 in | 72 in | 63.4 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,494 lb | 58/42 |
| 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi Quattro | 172.8 in | 72 in | 63.4 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,682 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -15% | $3,550 | 387 |
| Q3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -15% | $3,550 | 380 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Audi Q3.
Similar 2018 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi Q3 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 Audi A3 | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 BMW X1 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 BMW 2 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 BMW 4 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal · May 23, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V385000 · 23,241 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
Not every 2018 Audi Q3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Audi Q3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 4 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Audi Q3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Q3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Q3 | 24 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Q3 | 25 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2024 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2023 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 Q3 | 26 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 34 |
| 2021 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 15 |
| 2020 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 66 |
| 2019 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 10 |
| 2017 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2016 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 29 |
| 2015 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 24 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →