DecodedCars2015 Audi Q3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD, 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 172.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,494–3,682 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 13% below the 2015 compact car average of 26.3 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Audi Q3 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 173 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,494 lb (5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 13% worse than the 2015 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi FWD | 172.8 in | 72 in | 63.4 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,494 lb | 58/42 |
| 5dr SUV 2.0 Tfsi Quattro | 172.8 in | 72 in | 63.4 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 3,682 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -13% | $3,550 | 387 |
| Q3 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -13% | $3,550 | 391 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Audi Q3.
Similar 2015 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Audi Q3 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2015 Audi A3 | 35 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2015 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2015 BMW X1 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 BMW 2 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting · Sep 6, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V642000 · 79,895 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 TT roadster, A3 cabriolet, A3 sedan and A3 e-tron, 2016-2017 TT coupe, 2017 A4 sedan and Q7 and 2015-2017 Q3 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97CB.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Apr 3, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V200000 · 3,646 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured April 4, 2014, to November 5, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off while the sunroof is closing, the sunroof may continue to close instead of stopping. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
- Risk
- If the sunroof is closing while the vehicle is shut off and a vehicle occupant is in its path, there is an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof control module software, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 60C1.
Not every 2015 Audi Q3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Audi Q3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 5 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Suspension — 5 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 51,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Audi Q3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Q3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Q3 | 24 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Q3 | 25 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 6 |
| 2025 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2024 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2023 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 Q3 | 26 | 176.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 34 |
| 2021 Q3 | 25 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 15 |
| 2020 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 66 |
| 2019 Q3 | 22 | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 10 |
| 2018 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2017 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2016 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 29 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →