Audi Q3 vs BMW iX3

Audi Q3

Audi’s compact premium SUV.

BMW iX3

BMW’s electric mid-size SUV.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi Q3

Pick the Q3 for quattro, the 530-litre boot and the 1.5 TFSI’s cylinder-on-demand.

Best engine: The mid-range 1.5 TFSI petrol for the best everyday balance — or the 2.0 TDI for high mileage.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

BMW iX3

Pick the iX3 for a practical, refined electric SUV with familiar BMW dynamics and a mature real-world range.

Best engine: The iX3 (286 hp, rear-wheel drive).

Read the full guide

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs iX3 · Electric

	Audi Q3	BMW iX3
Power	150 hp	286 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	400 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	6,8 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h Winner	180 km/h
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	131,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km	0 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km	—

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	BMW iX3
Boot	530 L Winner	510 L
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L	1.560 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,73 m
Width	1,86 m	1,89 m
Height	1,62 m	1,67 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	BMW iX3
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	CLAR (based on the X3 G01, electric)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI	Single electric motor (fifth-generation eDrive)
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Electric
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	Single-speed automatic (fixed ratio)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	N/A (electric)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Zero-emission — unrestricted access in all LEZ zones

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi Q3

DQ200 (7-speed dry DSG): mechatronics are the best-known weak point
Direct-injection petrols: carbon buildup with lots of short trips
DPF on diesels with mainly short trips

BMW iX3

12V battery issues (occasional)
Parking-sensor or camera faults
Higher tyre wear due to weight and torque

Pros

Audi Q3

quattro available on the 2.0-litre engines
530-litre boot (1525 litres folded)
1.5 TFSI (35) has cylinder-on-demand

BMW iX3

Practical, familiar X3 packaging with a 510 L boot
Proven single-motor drivetrain (less complexity)
Refined, quiet drive with familiar BMW character

Cons

Audi Q3

S line suspension rides firmly
quattro is 2.0-litre engines only — entry models are front-wheel drive

BMW iX3

No frunk and no all-wheel drive available
Firm ride on larger wheels and M Sport

Driving experience

Audi Q3

As a model line, the Q3 steers accurately with light, consistent weighting and stays quiet at speed. Front-drive versions feel light and easy; quattro adds strong traction out of corners on the 2.0-litre engines. The 1.5 TFSI is the one to have, the 2.0 TDI is the high-mileage pick and the 45 TFSI e plug-in hybrid runs on electric for short trips. The S tronic shifts quickly. It is tuned for comfort over sharp handling.