Comparing the BMW X3 and Audi Q3

If you’re looking for a mid-size, premium SUV, there are a lot of choices out there. The SUV market has become crowded in the last few years, with every manufacturer creating their own version. If you want the best quality and performance within that crowd, the BMW X3 and the Audi Q3 are two of the best options you can buy. But how do they compare to each other?

The BMW X3 vs. Audi Q3

We’ll compare the BMW X3 and Audi Q3 across several categories to find out where each car is best:

– Practicality

– Performance / Engines

– Driving experience

– Quality / Technology

– Value For Money

Across each category, I’ll talk you through the good and bad points for each model, and finally what my opinion is. At the end of the article, you’ll have all the info you need to decide which model is right for you.

Let’s start!

Practicality

For small SUVs, practicality is a priority. Most owners will be using these cars for family trips, or carrying equipment, so the X3 and Q3 need to be spacious. Comparing some key dimensions below for both cars:

You might be surprised at the differences here. Starting with the exterior dimensions, I didn’t expect the BMW X3 to be much larger than the Q3. A larger vehicle isn’t always better, though, because it depends on how effectively it uses the interior space.

The interior space comparison is closer. The X3 has greater headroom and legroom than the Q3, but there isn’t much to split the two cars. Cargo volume (with the rear seats up) in the X3 is almost 20% higher, so if storage space is what you’re after, the BMW is the winner.

Overall I think both cars are going to be more than capable for the majority of owners. Larger families will probably want to look at the next level up (the X5 and Q5 models) to get the space benefit.

Performance / Engines:

We’ll look at the engine options for each model now and how they perform. Let’s start with the Audi Q3:

Audi Q3

The current Q3 model sold in the US comes with two options:

The two options you can select in a Q3 are both 2 liters and four-cylinder engines. To be honest, the engines are disappointing, especially compared to Q3 options sold outside North America. Neither option is slow, but you would expect more power at the price tags these cars sell for.

The most obvious missing piece is the RSQ3, Audi’s performance version of the Q3. Audi claims that the performance SUV market is too small in the USA for the RSQ3, but the fact that BMW offers its flagship model (the X3 M) shows there must be interest.

BMW X3

Speaking of BMW, the current X3 in the US market comes in the below configurations:

The BMW engine choices don’t offer much more variety than the Q3, but they offer a lot more power. The smallest engine option, the 30i, is a 2 liter, but you move up to the higher-spec models, and you’re in the 6-cylinder club. 

The only X3 model I’ve driven is the 30i, which has more than enough power for most owners. If you’re desperate for an SUV that will embarrass many sports cars in a straight line, the X3 M will be your pick. And the X3 M should tell Audi that it’s time to bring the RSQ3 back to the US market!

Driving experience: 

We’ve examined the engine capabilities and the practicality of the BMW X3 and Audi Q3. But what are they like to drive?

Audi Q3

The Q3 drives surprisingly well for an SUV that isn’t focused on performance. You get Quattro all-wheel drive as standard, and Audi’s system is hard to beat. The Q3 also has the usual off-road options for anyone wanting to take on dirt or snow – I don’t have any experience driving the Q3 in these modes, but I would expect them to be capable.

The ride quality in the Q3 is good – it’s nothing spectacular compared to its rivals, but you won’t find many issues. The Q3 won’t impress anyone with its handling, though – don’t expect it to be that responsive – another reason why the RSQ3 is missed.

If you’re planning long journeys, the Q3 is a great place to be. You get all the usual driver assistance technology (more on that later),, so it makes long-distance travel easy. Driving around the city is manageable too, as the Q3 has greater visibility and a smaller presence on the road than the X3.

BMW X3

In the X3, BMW has continued its focus on the driving experience. I’ve only driven the lower-spec versions of the X3, but even these were incredibly controlled and fantastic to drive. Particularly in the X3 40i, you forget you’re driving a mid-size SUV, and I can’t imagine what the X3 M version is like with its performance upgrades. BMW has hit a home run in this category.

Off-road driving in the X3 is not a strong point. The xDrive system is ok to use on moderate surfaces, but I wouldn’t want to try driving on snow or rocky terrain. It lacks the options available on the Q3, so if you’re considering doing a lot of off-roading, the Audi is probably best.

For everyday driving, both in the city and on highway trips, the X3 performs as well as you would expect. It isn’t the best in its class, and I think the Q3 is slightly easier to drive in urban environments, but you won’t be disappointed if you pick the X3.

Quality / Technology

In both the BMW X3 and Audi Q3, technology is one of the major selling points of these cars. The German manufacturers have always been on the cutting edge of automotive tech (look at the S-Class over the years), and both the X3 and Q3 are overflowing with aids and systems to make your life easier.

Material quality is another focus in both models; anyone familiar with current BMW and Audi designs will know what to expect. Just as we saw in the recent comparison between the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, the quality of each cabin is impressive.

But which car is the best?

Audi Q3

The first interior section everyone will notice in the Q3 is Audi’s virtual cockpit display. I can remember when they first introduced this, and it was a game-changer. In the past year or two, many manufacturers have caught up, but that doesn’t make the system in the Q3 anything less than excellent. The cockpit is easy to configure, and you have plenty of options to control the other tech present.

Speaking of technology, you get a generous amount of features as standard, with plenty more as optional extras. These include parking sensors in the rear and LED headlights. Upgrading will get you a 360-degree camera, interior ambient lights, and a SONOS Soundsystem.

The quality of materials in the Audi matches the standard of technology, but it’s disappointing compared to other Audi models. Some hard plastics are on display, and the seats are fairly comfortable but not the best. You can upgrade the interior to significantly increase quality, adding genuine aluminum or wood finishes and plenty of Alcantara.

BMW X3

BMW has lagged behind their competition with interiors lately, but the X3 changes that. The driver display cockpit has a lot of options to configure and is easy to read, but the Q3 display has a better overall layout. The infotainment system on the second screen is better, but most users will choose the apple car play, or android auto options instead. One positive (in my opinion) for the X3 over the Audi is that BMW has kept physical buttons for most functions instead of full touchscreens like the Q3. 

As with most modern BMWs, the X3 comes with many options and packages. Standard equipment includes various driving aids such as blind-spot detection and lane departure warnings, along with BMW voice controls.

Like in the Q3, there are plenty of upgrades to improve exterior and interior technology. Among the best options are the 3D cameras, wireless charging, and ventilated & heated front seats. One upgrade I love that won’t be for everyone is the panoramic moonroof, so if you’re considering an X3, I’d fully recommend it.

I think the material quality in the BMW X3 is slightly ahead of the Q3. You get fewer surfaces with hard plastics, and the switches and dials feel high quality. The seats are just as comfortable as in the Audi, and overall I’d put the X3 interior as one of the best mid-size SUVs on sale right now.

Value For Money

So far, we’ve covered the key areas you will want to compare if you’re looking at a Q3 or X3. But the the the deciding factor for most owners will be how much quality, performance, and practicality you get for your money?

Let’s start by looking at the price ranges for the Q3 and X3:

The X3 is probably too expensive for entry-level models, so I would choose the Q3 40 TFSI with some upgrades. Performance and practicality are better in the X3, but a $7,000 difference is difficult to justify if you’re not expecting to push the car to its limits regularly.

If you’re looking to add options and you have a $50,000 budget, it opens up a lot of choices. Personally, I would be looking at the X3 30i with some technology packs and the M Sport styling. The Q3 45 TFSI is just as good, with plenty of budget left to select most of the optional extras. The only reason I would go with the BMW here is that extra performance.

If you’re looking for premium quality and high performance and have the budget, my choice would be the X3 M40i. Performance-wise it has everything you need, and spending another $13,000 for the X3 M model doesn’t seem worth it.

Summary

Overall, the BMW X3 has the advantage over the Audi Q3 in a number of areas, and the result of those differences is seen in the price gap between the two models. Both models are solid choices if you’re looking for a mid-size SUV and the final decision will come down to budget for most buyers.

I don’t consider the X3 and the Q3 to be some of the best models in the BMW or Audi lineup, but they are some of the best models in a fairly crowded market segment.

If you’d like to find out more about the other vehicles from each manufacturer, click the links below: