2021 AUDI Q3 | WA1DECF31M1017356

Body Styles

The Audi Q3 is offered in two distinct body styles: the standard SUV and the more design-focused Q3 Sportback. Both share the same mechanicals but differ in roofline and character. The standard Q3 has tall proportions, short overhangs, and upright styling, prioritizing headroom and cargo space. The Sportback variant features a coupé-like sloped rear roofline, slimmer glasshouse, and a more dynamic rear spoiler for a sportier appearance.

The second-generation Q3 (from 2019 onward) introduced a bolder, more muscular design with a large octagonal Singleframe grille, sharp LED lighting signatures, deep side sculpting, and defined wheel arches. The SUV’s stance is solid, planted, and premium, fitting neatly between urban maneuverability and luxury-road presence.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

“Audi Q3” follows Audi’s SUV naming structure: the “Q” denotes quattro-equipped utility models, while the “3” places the vehicle as the entry-level subcompact in Audi’s SUV lineup — below the Q5 and Q7. It’s designed for young professionals, small families, and urban drivers wanting premium refinement in a compact package.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The Audi Q3, since its second-generation launch in 2019, has been crafted with a strong emphasis on personalization, offering a well-curated selection of body colors, premium interior themes, and wheel designs that blend contemporary sophistication with youthful versatility. Its exterior color palette includes both understated metallics and vibrant, expressive hues designed to complement the Q3’s sharp character lines and muscular SUV stance. Core offerings include classic shades like Ibis White, Floret Silver Metallic, Chronos Gray Metallic, and Mythos Black Metallic, which provide a sleek, professional look. Bolder options such as Turbo Blue, Pulse Orange, and Tango Red Metallic cater to buyers seeking a more dynamic visual presence. Each shade is carefully matched with the vehicle’s chrome or black exterior trim elements, depending on the selected package or trim level.

Audi's S line trims and Black Optic packages introduce additional customization by adding black exterior accents, including the grille, mirror caps, and window surrounds, which contrast sharply with lighter body colors and intensify the Q3’s sportier appearance. Select models also offer contrasting body accents or special edition hues that emphasize the Q3’s adventurous side.

Inside, the Q3 offers a balance of minimalism and tactile richness. Entry-level variants come with high-quality leatherette or leather seats in tones like Black, Okapi Brown, or Parchment Beige, while higher trims introduce more refined touches such as Alcantara door inserts, brushed aluminum or natural wood trim accents, and contrast stitching. The S line interior further enhances the sportiness with S-embossed sport seats, perforated leather steering wheels, and darker headliners. Audi’s signature Virtual Cockpit and ambient LED lighting — customizable in up to 30 colors on premium trims — add a high-tech layer to the Q3’s cabin atmosphere, bridging luxury and digital intuitiveness.

Wheel design is a key element of the Q3’s styling evolution. Base trims typically ride on 18-inch 5-spoke wheels with a clean, elegant finish, while mid- and upper-level models feature 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels with dynamic split-spoke or V-spoke patterns. The Black Optic package includes exclusive matte titanium or gloss black wheels, which complement the darkened exterior details and amplify the Q3’s visual aggression. Some editions feature machined-face or bi-color designs, offering depth and movement even when the car is stationary.

Together, the rich exterior finishes, tailored cabin environments, and expressive wheel options make the Audi Q3 a standout in the compact luxury SUV segment, harmonizing German precision with a global sense of style and personalization.

Top Expensive Options

• Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus with Full Map View: $700
• 12.3” MMI Touch Response with Navigation + Voice Control: $1,200
• Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System (15 Speakers): $850
• Sport Interior Package with S Line Seats + Contrast Stitching: $1,400
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist: $950
• Panoramic Sunroof with Power Sunshade: $1,200
• Matrix-design LED Headlights with Dynamic Rear Indicators: $1,100
• Wireless Apple CarPlay + Qi Charging Pad: Standard or $300
• Heated, Ventilated Front Seats with Memory Function: $700
• Park Assist with 360° Surround View Camera: $850

vs Competitors

The Audi Q3 competes with the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, Volvo XC40, Lexus UX, and Range Rover Evoque. Compared to the X1, it offers a more refined interior and standard AWD. Against the GLA, it feels more substantial and ergonomic, while offering similar tech. The XC40 is more minimalist, but the Q3 outperforms it in driving polish. The Lexus UX lags in cargo and performance, while the Evoque counters with style but less cabin tech.

Overall, the Q3 hits a sweet spot for buyers who want genuine luxury in a compact form, with Audi’s signature design, comfort, and quattro confidence in all conditions.

Fun Fact

The Q3 was Audi’s best-selling model globally in 2020, and the current generation is assembled in multiple countries including Hungary and China. It was also one of the first compact luxury SUVs to offer a fully digital cockpit standard, and is the first Q model to receive the sloped-roof Sportback variant, appealing to design-conscious buyers. Its combination of tech, versatility, and performance in a compact luxury form has made it a gateway into the Audi brand for a whole new generation of drivers.