Audi Q3 Sportback Adds Nothing But A Sleeker Roofline

The starting price of the new Q3 Sportback in Germany is €1,850 ($2,200) higher compared to the regular Q3

Audi has completed the lineup of the new Q3 with the addition of the Sportback bodystyle.
The Q3 Sportback adds a sexier tail but pretty much everything else is shared with the Q3.
Powertrain options include a PHEV setup with 268 hp and up to 72 miles of EV-only range.

Following the recent debut of the third-generation Q3, Audi has launched the new Q3 Sportback, expanding its coupe-SUV lineup next to the Sportback versions of the larger Q5, Q6 E-tron, and Q8 E-tron.

As expected, the Q3 Sportback shares most of its body panels with the Q3, although the roofline and greenhouse have been redesigned, leading to a swooping rear glass. Furthermore, Audi designers have omitted the roof rails of the standard version for a sportier stance.

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The full-width taillights with optional digital OLED graphics and the sporty rear bumper with faux intakes and a large diffuser have been carried over from the regular Q3. According to Ingolstadt, the coupe-SUV is 29 mm (1.1 inches) shorter compared to its more conservative twin. Overall, both models look sportier and more modern compared to their predecessors.

Inside, the dashboard is also shared with the Q3, including the curved panel housing the 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.8-inch infotainment, plus the redesigned stalks. As for the rest of the cabin, the lower roofline towards the back has had a toll on the available space for passengers and luggage.

More specifically, the maximum cargo volume of the Q3 Sportback is 1,298 lt (45.5 cubic feet) with the rear seats folded, which is 97 lt (3.4 cubic feet) less compared to the “standard” Q3. Still, Audi hasn’t shared the boot volume with all five seats in place, so we don’t know if it is smaller than the 488 lt (17.2 cubic feet) of its sibling.

The powertrain lineup is shared between the two variants of the new Q3 and includes gasoline, diesel, mild hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The entry-level 1.5-liter TFSI four-cylinder is good for 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and is joined by 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI mills, with the latter producing up to 262 hp (195 kW / 265 PS). Depending on the variant, power is sent to the front or to all four wheels (quattro).

Finally, the plug-in hybrid (e-Hybrid) generates a combined 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS) and has a 25.7 kWh battery pack. The zero-emission range is practically the same, as the Sportback can drive a mere 1 km (0.6 miles) less between charges than the plain vanilla Q3, with a WLTP rating of 118 km (72 miles).

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The MQB Evo-based SUVs are available with standard or sport suspension, and have all of the latest driver assist technology.

Audi has not shared information about the North American debut of the new Q3 which is expected for the 2026 MY. However, the SUV is already available to order in European markets with the first deliveries expected in October for the Q3 and in November for the Q3 Sportback.

In Germany, the cheapest Q3 starts at €44,600 ($52,200), while the Q3 Sportback is priced from €46,450 ($54,300). The plug-in hybrid versions start at €49,300 ($57,700) and €51,150 ($59,800) respectively.