DecodedCars2020 Audi Q3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 176.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,384 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Audi Q3 is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,384 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 27 highway), 6% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 23.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Q3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Q3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 176.4 in | 73.2 in | 63.8 in | 105.5 in | 62.2 / 62.2 in | 3,384 lb | 53/47 |
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 (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -6% | $3,050 | 399 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi Q3 (this car) | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 316 mi | ★★★★★ | 24 |
| 2020 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2020 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Audi Q5 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Volvo XC60 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2020 Lexus NX | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Steering · Sep 11, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V590000 · 208,724 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
- Risk
- A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Dec 16, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V786000 · 313 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2020 Audi Q3 vehicles. The brake pedal plate can bend or detach under the pressure applied during sudden stopping.
- Risk
- A bent or detached brake pedal plate decreases the contact area for the driver's foot and increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the weld between the brake pedal and the brake pedal plate and, as necessary, replace the entire brake pedal, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46i7.
Seats › Critical Fasteners · Oct 19, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V644000 · 1 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling one 2020 Audi Q3 vehicle. The driver's seat frame may have incorrectly been bolted to the seat rail.
- Risk
- The incorrect bolt connection could fail, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolt connection and, as necessary, replace the seat structure, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 72L4.
Not every 2020 Audi Q3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Audi Q3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 22 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 20 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 11 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 1,937 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 2020 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 | 2 |
| 2022 Q3 | 26 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 34 |
| 2021 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 15 |
| 2019 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 10 |
| 2018 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 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 →