Audi A4 vs Audi Q3

Audi A4

The fifth-generation A4 on the longitudinal MLB Evo platform.

VS

Audi Q3

The second-generation Q3 on the transverse MQB platform.

First car

Second car

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol

	Audi A4	Audi Q3
Power	190 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	320 Nm Winner	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	7,3 s Winner	9,2 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	205 km/h
Power-to-weight	129,3 hp/t Winner	101,7 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	137 g/km Winner	143 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	6,0 L/100km	5,7 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A4	Audi Q3
Boot	480 L	530 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.525 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,68 m
Length	4,73 m	4,50 m
Width	1,84 m	1,86 m
Height	1,43 m	1,62 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A4	Audi Q3
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 petrol · EA288 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed S tronic (DSG)	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual
Euro standard	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d-TEMP (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A4

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early 2.0 TDI
AdBlue/SCR issues on EA288 diesels
MMI (MIB2) infotainment can reboot or freeze

Audi Q3

Infotainment software (early cars)
S tronic maintenance (DQ200 models)
Cooling system needs checking
DPF on diesels

Pros

Audi A4

Class-leading interior quality & finish
Efficient, quiet EA288 diesel
Composed ride with optional quattro

Audi Q3

Roomy interior & big boot
Modern tech (Virtual Cockpit)
Modular EA engines

Cons

Audi A4

Firm ride on S line + big wheels
Less engaging steering than the 3 Series

Audi Q3

Early infotainment quirks
Pricier than the VW Tiguan on the same platform

Compare specific generations

B9 · 2015 – 2024 vs F3 · 2018 – 2025 Compare

Verdict

Pick this one if…

Audi A4

Pick the A4 for class-leading interior quality, a quiet ride and efficient engines in a premium compact executive sedan.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for maximum interior space, a bigger boot and modern technology.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

For sale at dealers

Audi A4

23 for sale · from € 8.890

Audi A4

Audi A4 40 TFSI · Camera · CarPlay · Navigation

05/2021 66.863 km Petrol 150 kW (204 hp) Euro 6d

Audi A4

Audi A4 35 TFSI · S line · CarPlay · Navigation · LED

06/2019 133.938 km Petrol 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6d

Audi A4

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI · Panoramic roof · 360° camera · CarPlay

03/2021 94.000 km CNG 125 kW (170 hp) Euro 6d-TEMP

Garage des Chaufours SRL

Audi A4

Audi A4 30TDi · CarPlay · LED · Leather

08/2021 113.747 km Diesel 100 kW (136 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

Audi Q3

25 for sale · from € 8.990

Audi Q3

Audi Q3 35TFSi · CarPlay · Navigation · LED

09/2021 87.000 km Petrol 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6d

Audi Q3

Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI · Leather · Tow bar · Sport seats

10/2017 140.992 km Petrol 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6b

Audi Q3

Audi Q3 electric · Quattro · Camera · CarPlay · LED

08/2021 75.378 km Electric 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6d

Audi Q3

Audi Q3 35TFSi · plug-in hybrid · CarPlay · Navigation · LED

10/2021 87.000 km Plug-in hybrid 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6d