Audi A3 vs Audi Q3: are hatchbacks actually better than SUVs? 

SUVs are the most popular cars in the UK right now, making up seven of the top 10 best-selling models. It’s easy to see the appeal, because they offer a raised driving position, easier access for passengers and more imposing styling than hatchbacks or estate cars.

That said, you shouldn’t dismiss traditional hatchbacks, because a lot of them are still brilliant all-rounders. One of our favourites is the Audi A3, so we’re going to compare it to its SUV equivalent, the Q3, to see which one is best.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Audi A3 vs Audi Q3: price, leasing and deals

Let’s start with cold, hard cash, because this is likely to be one of the biggest factors when deciding on your next car.

The Audi A3 starts from £30,300 for the basic Sport version, but this isn’t the one you want. The S Line model adds some nice, sporty styling upgrades such as larger alloy wheels, a deeper bodykit and lowered suspension, and it’s only a couple of grand more expensive.

That is unless you buy through Carwow, because you can save around £2,000 on the S-Line model to bring it back in line with the basic car.

As for the Q3, it starts from just over £38,000 for the Sport model, and the S Line costs £41,000. You can save around £2,700 on the S-Line through Carwow, but that still makes it around £8,000 more expensive than the A3.

What about leasing? After all, leasing is becoming a more popular way to park a new car on your driveway. Here are prices for S Line versions of these cars over three years and 30,000 miles.

The best lease deal we could find at the time of writing on an Audi A3 was £378.33 per month with an upfront payment of £4,834.96. That works out to a total of £18,100 over three years.

An equivalent Q3 can be yours for £440.87 per month at the time of writing, plus £5,585.44 up front. That’s £21,000 in total, so the price gap isn’t as wide as it would be if you bought the car outright.

An extra £60 per month is still a lot of money though, so the A3 is the more cost-effective option here.

Audi A3 vs Audi Q3: space and practicality

You might think that an SUV would be way more practical than a hatchback, and on paper the Audi Q3 is more spacious than the A3, but the numbers don’t tell the full story.

The Audi Q3 has a 488-litre boot, whereas the A3 has 380 litres of space. However, plug-in hybrid versions of the Q3 drop to 375 litres because you lose the storage under the boot floor, so this is where most of the additional space lies. The area above the floor is around the same size in both cars.

Both boots are a nice, square shape which is easy to load, but if you have an elderly dog then it’ll have an easier time jumping into the lower A3. You just have more useful storage under the Q3’s floor to store leads and toys.

If you have elderly relatives, however, they’ll find it easier to slide into the Q3. One of the main benefits of a raised SUV is ease of entry, and wrestling a child seat into the back is much easier when you’re not hunched under the car’s roofline.

But once you’re in, space in the back is about the same in these two cars. Kneeroom is generous, as is headspace, and even tall adults can get comfortable in either car. That said, the Q3 is slightly better with three across the bench thanks to the slightly wider body.

The Audi Q3 is the more practical car here thanks to the additional boot storage, but there’s not as much in it as you might think.

Audi A3 vs Audi Q3: interior and technology

The Audi Q3 is a much newer car than the A3, and it uses the brand’s latest interior. Despite this, we actually prefer the A3’s older cabin layout.

It feels really solid and premium throughout, with plenty of soft-touch materials and nicely-damped switchgear. Speaking of switchgear, the A3 still has physical buttons for the climate control, unlike the new Q3 which has a touchscreen-based system.

Speaking of screens, the Audi Q3 does have a larger central display, 12.1 inches versus 10.1 inches in the A3, and it’s also more responsive thanks to a faster processor. That said, the Q3’s narrow, dark digital driver’s display doesn’t look anywhere near as nice as the A3’s, and the screens aren’t as neatly integrated into the dashboard thanks to the massive bezels.

Build quality is still good in the Q3 though. We like the suede-like materials you get on the doors and dashboard, and everything feels nice and solid. Some of the plastics are a bit scratchy though, and the A3 feels posher.

The new Q3 is more premium inside than some of the latest Audi’s, such as the A6 e-tron, but it’s still not as posh as the A3.

Audi A3 vs Audi Q3: engines, driving and economy

Both of these cars are available with the same petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines, and the pick of the range is the 150hp 1.5-litre petrol. It’s punchy enough, although the A3 is 0.7 of a second quicker from 0-60mph.

The A3 is also lighter and more aerodynamic than the Q3, and is therefore more economical. It’ll do 48mpg, whereas the Q3 will return 45mpg. That doesn’t sound like much, but it works out to around £100 per year if you cover 10,000 miles.

Company car drivers will also want to check out the plug-in hybrids. The A3 PHEV has 204hp and up to 88 miles of electric range, while the Q3 has 272hp and can do up to 73 miles on electric power alone.

Out on the road, the Audi Q3 is marginally more comfortable over bumps. Both cars are really relaxing to drive, but the A3 can be a little bit fidgety over broken surfaces – especially on the larger alloy wheels.

That said, the A3 is lighter and lower than the Q3, making it feel a bit more agile through the corners. It’s not that much fun, unless you go for the hot S3 or RS3, but it stays flatter when you chuck it into a bend.

All-in though, there’s not much between these cars in the way they drive. They’re both comfortable and feel secure on the road, but the A3 is more fuel-efficient.

Final verdict: should you buy an Audi Q3 or an A3?

There’s no denying that the Audi Q3 is a great small SUV. It’s packed with tech, practical for its size and it’s brilliant to drive, but in some ways it feels worse than the older A3.

The A3 has a nicer interior, is a bit better to drive and it’s cheaper to run. Add in the fact that it’s very nearly as practical as the Q3, and it’s considerably cheaper, there’s only one conclusion we can draw.

The Audi A3 wins this test. It proves that hatchbacks still have their place in a world full of SUVs.

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