DecodedCars2017 Audi Q3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2017 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
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-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
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 14% below the 2017 compact car average of 26.9 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2017 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2017 Audi Q3 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-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), 14% worse than the 2017 compact car average of 26.9 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 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2017
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2016 Q3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2016; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2016 Q3 →
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 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -14% | $3,550 | 391 |
| Q3 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -14% | $3,550 | 387 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2017 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2017 Audi Q3.
Similar 2017 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Audi Q3 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2017 Audi A3 | 34 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2017 Audi A5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2017 Volvo S60 | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2017 BMW X1 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2017 BMW 2 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal · May 23, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V385000 · 23,241 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Audi Q3 vehicles equipped with LED headlights. An inoperable front turn signal may not illuminate an indicator, failing to alert the driver to the issue. 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
- Without an indicator informing the driver of an inoperable turn signal, the driver may turn or change lanes without a signal, increasing the risk of crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the body control module (BCM), free of charge. The recall began June 21, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97DK.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Crash Imminent Braking · Jun 26, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V400000 · 24,754 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Audi Q3 vehicles. If the parking brake is used during emergency braking, the brake lights on the vehicle will not activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- A vehicle approaching from behind may not have any warning that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 45G6.
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.
Not every 2017 Audi Q3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2017 Audi Q3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 2 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,000 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 2017 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 |
| 2016 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 29 |
| 2015 Q3 | 23 | 172.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 24 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →