Audi Q3 F3 vs Volkswagen Tiguan CT1

Audi Q3

F3 · 2018 – 2025

The second-generation Q3 (F3), on the MQB A2 platform.

Volkswagen Tiguan

CT1 · 2024 – 2026

The third-generation Tiguan (CT1), on the MQB Evo platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the F3 for the roomy, tech-rich Q3 with the Virtual Cockpit and the smooth 1.5 TFSI — ideally a full-history example.

Best engine: The 35 TFSI (petrol) or 35 TDI (diesel).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Tiguan

Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.

Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Audi Q3	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	150 hp	150 hp
Torque	250 Nm	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	9,1 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	210 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t Winner	101,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km	128 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	530 L	652 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L	1.650 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,68 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,54 m
Ground clearance	17,0 cm	19,5 cm
Turning circle	11,8 m	11,7 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse)	MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 45 TFSI e PHEV	EA211 Evo 1.5 eTSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 Evo 2.0 TDI · eHybrid PHEV
Transmission	S tronic (DSG)	7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6e
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

Infotainment software bugs on early cars
DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG): mechatronics and clutch judder on early cars
DPF/AdBlue on diesels with mainly short trips

Volkswagen Tiguan

New-generation software (MIB4) may need campaigns
Higher weight/reinforced suspension on eHybrid
4MOTION diesels: AdBlue/DPF on short trips

Pros

Audi Q3

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Even bigger boot (652 l) with a flat load floor
Modern MIB4 infotainment and driver assistance
eHybrid with ~19.7 kWh battery and low CO2

Cons

Audi Q3

Firm ride on S line
Some hard plastics

Volkswagen Tiguan

eHybrid loses boot space (490 l)
Touch-slider controls take getting used to

Driving experience

Audi Q3

Comfortable, quiet and easy to place. The Q3 rides well over poor surfaces, stays settled at motorway speed, and steers accurately with light, consistent weighting. 2.0-litre cars use quattro, which adds strong traction in wet conditions and inspires confidence. The 1.5 TFSI is adequate but nothing more; the 45 TFSI is genuinely quick; the 2.0 TDI is the best all-rounder — torquey, economical and smooth at a cruise. The S tronic is sharp around town. Body control is good for a high-riding SUV, though the Q3 is set up for comfort rather than driver involvement.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Comfortable, quiet and more car-like than the old Tiguan. The CT1 rides with better body control and noise isolation than the AD1, steers accurately, and feels lighter on its feet despite similar dimensions. Front-drive versions are easy; 4Motion adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and efficient with its 48-volt assistance, the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance pick, and the eHybrid covers short trips on electric power. The DSG is smooth; there is no manual. It is a more polished, more digital version of the same formula — comfortable and competent, if still not exciting.