Audi Q3 vs BMW X3

Audi Q3

The second-generation Q3 on the transverse MQB platform.

VS

BMW X3

The third-generation X3 on the rear-drive CLAR platform.

First car

Second car

Performance

EA211 35 TFSI · Petrol vs B48 20i · Petrol

	Audi Q3	BMW X3
Power	150 hp	184 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	290 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	9,2 s	8,3 s Winner
Top speed	205 km/h	215 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	101,7 hp/t	105,4 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	143 g/km Winner	154 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,7 L/100km Winner	6,8 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Audi Q3	BMW X3
Boot	530 L	550 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.525 L	1.600 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,68 m	2,86 m Winner
Length	4,50 m	4,71 m
Width	1,86 m	1,89 m
Height	1,62 m	1,68 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Audi Q3	BMW X3
Platform	MQB A2 (transverse, shared with the VW Tiguan Mk2)	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the 5 Series)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 evo 1.5 TFSI · EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 evo 2.0 TDI	B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	S tronic (7-speed DSG) · 6-speed manual	8-speed automatic (ZF)
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (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 Q3

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

BMW X3

EGR cooler can leak on B47 diesels
Transfer case (xDrive) judder on early cars
Adaptive dampers need checking at high mileage

Pros

Audi Q3

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

BMW X3

Rear-drive base gives sharp handling
Big boot (550 l) & roomy rear seat
Strong, efficient B-series engines

Cons

Audi Q3

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

BMW X3

Firm ride on M Sport suspension (run-flat)
Pricier than most rivals

Compare specific generations

F3 · 2018 – 2025 vs G01 · 2017 – 2024 Compare

Verdict

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

Pick this one if…

BMW X3

Pick the X3 for sharp handling, a big boot and strong engines in a premium mid-size SUV.

Best engine: The xDrive20d (190 hp diesel) — the thrifty, torquey sweet spot.

Read the full guide

For sale at dealers

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

BMW X3

33 for sale · from € 6.950

BMW X3

BMW X3 sDrive18 · Keyless · Leather

08/2015 267.140 km Diesel 110 kW (150 hp) Euro 6b

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive30e · electric · Camera · CarPlay · LED

11/2022 115.439 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6d

Bayern Motors NV

BMW X3

BMW X3 xDrive20I · Camera · CarPlay · LED

01/2025 21.756 km Petrol 153 kW (208 hp) Euro 6e

BMW X3

BMW X3 electric · M-Sport · 360° camera · CarPlay · LED

02/2026 13.785 km Electric 215 kW (292 hp) Euro 6e