DecodedCars2021 Audi Q3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 184–228 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 30 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
- Modest powerUp to 228 hp, versus about 362 hp for similar 2021 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 5% better than the 2021 small SUV average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 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 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2021
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 25
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Q3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Gyor, Hungary
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2021 Q3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
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 | 57/43 |
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 | 22 / 30 / 25 | +5% | $2,700 | 350 |
| Q3 S-line quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -4% | $2,900 | 384 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi Q3 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi Q3 (this car) | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2021 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2021 Volvo XC60 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2021 Lexus NX | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Land Rover Evoque | 22 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage · Sep 8, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V673000 · 13,004 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Audi Q3 vehicles. The vent pipe within the fuel tank may have been damaged during fuel tank assembly.
- Risk
- A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the internal vent pipe for damage and replace the charcoal canister and the fuel tank, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20DS.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Not every 2021 Audi Q3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Audi Q3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 94,000 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 2021 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 |
| 2020 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 66 |
| 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 →