What Is the Smallest Audi SUV?
The Audi Q3 is the smallest Audi SUV currently available in the U.S.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With a length of just 176.6 inches and a five-passenger seating capacity of only 94 cubic feet, the subcompact luxury crossover Audi Q3 is the smallest SUV currently on offer from Audi in the United States—though it's not the only small SUV in their line-up.
While you might have been taught that bigger is always better, that’s not necessarily true when it comes to the world of SUVs. Larger SUVs are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver in and out of tight spaces. They also tend to be a killer at the pump and boast higher maintenance costs—and higher price tags.
So unless you really need an SUV that can haul around seven passengers or tow some serious weight, it makes more sense for most drivers to opt for a smaller SUV.
If you’re a fan of Audi, here are the smallest Audi SUV models available, reviewed for you by
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What is the smallest SUV Audi makes?
The absolute tiniest SUV American drivers can purchase from Audi right now is the 2022
Audi Q3
subcompact luxury crossover. Technically, Audi produces a smaller Q2 SUV, but it’s unavailable in the U.S. at the moment. At a stout 65 inches tall and 176.6 inches long, the Audi Q3 attracts buyers due to its contemporary technology features, well-honed on-road performance, and the fact that it looks like a miniature Q8. The model’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive, and it’s capable of producing either 184 or 228 horsepower depending on trim level.
The Q3 also gets relatively decent fuel efficiency with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined city/highway—though there are several car reviewing bodies who have reported even better stats for this model.
While the Q3’s 24 cubic feet of cargo capacity is higher than that of other small SUVs, the cargo capacity actually expands to a total of 48 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. That’s an additional 11 cubic feet of cargo space over similarly-sized small SUVs like the Toyota C-HR.
Additional selling points for the Q3 include its standard 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen display—which can be upgraded to a 10.1-inch display—equipped with Audi’s latest MMI infotainment system. This system grants drivers access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as haptic feedback.
Compared to the competition—which we’ll get to in a moment—the 2022 Q3 is kind of sluggish. With a zero-to-60 acceleration speed of 7.4 seconds, the Q3 won’t win any street races. That being said, its performance is otherwise adequate—even impressive.
Other small Audi SUVs
While the Q3 might be the smallest Audi SUV on the market, there are several other tiny SUV options that the brand offers that are also worth considering. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best small Audi SUVs on the market today.
Smallest: 2022 Audi Q3
Starting price:$37,595
Wheelbase: 105.5 inches
Seating capacity: 5
With plenty of standard high-tech features and all-wheel drive capabilities, the Q3 certainly has an edge over other small Audi SUVs. That being said, its 184-horsepower engine slows it down.
Small: 2022 Audi Q4 e-Tron
Starting price:$45,095
Wheelbase: 108.7 inches
Seating capacity: 5
The all-electric Audi Q4 e-Tron is an impressive small SUV option for environmentally-conscious drivers. Powered by a pair of electric motors, the Q4 e-Tron produces a total of 201 horsepower. On a single charge, the Q4 e-tron offers drivers approximately 241 miles of driving range with an all-electric fuel economy rating of 95 MPGe.
Despite producing more horsepower than the Q3, however, the Q4 e-Tron is actually slower than its little brother, going from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds compared to the Q3’s 7.4.
When it comes to cargo capacity, the Q4 e-Tron’s larger size comes in handy for drivers who need the extra trunk space. With the rear seats in use, drivers can benefit from 28.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity—which expands to 61.9 cubic feet when the rear seats are stowed away. Unfortunately, unlike the Q3, all-wheel drive is not standard on the Q4 e-Tron.
Small-ish: 2022 Audi Q5
Starting price:$44,495
Wheelbase: 110.0 inches
Seating capacity: 5
Audi’s best-selling SUV—and best-selling model overall—the
Audi Q5
is the real superstar of the brand’s small SUV lineup. The Q5 is more fuel-efficient, faster, and more powerful than the smaller Q3 while maintaining all of the great infotainment and driver assistance technology that makes the Q3 desirable. The Q5’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 261 horsepower and goes from zero to 60 mph in as little as 5.7 seconds—nearly two seconds faster than the Q3. With its rear seats in use, the Q5 offers only 26 cubic feet of cargo capacity, increasing to 53.7 cubes when the seats are folded down.
The best alternatives to Audi’s smallest SUV
Not quite sold on any of the small SUVs on Audi’s current line-up? Take a look at some viable alternative subcompact crossover models: the Volvo XC-40, the BMW X1, and the Mercedes-AMG GLA-Class.
The tiny alternative: 2022 Volvo XC-40
The 2022
Volvo XC-40
is one of the smallest luxury compact crossover competitors to the Q3 with a length of just 174.2 inches to the Q3’s 176.6 inches. That being said, don’t let the XC-40’s small size fool you. Under the hood, you’ll find a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that can rocket the SUV from zero to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds—faster than both the Q3 and the Q4 e-Tron.
Major selling points for the XC-40 include its playful exterior styling, luxurious cabin details, and standard driver assistance technology package, which includes automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. Adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous driving mode are also available.
The spacious alternative: 2022 BMW X1
Looking for a small SUV that doesn’t lack storage space? Look no further than the 2022
BMW X1
subcompact crossover. Despite being one inch shorter than the Q3, the X1 offers drivers a maximum cargo capacity of 73.3 cubic feet compared to the Q3’s 48 cubic feet. In fact, the X1 outperforms the Q3 in most arenas. It is faster—going from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. It is more fuel efficient—with an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 27 mpg. It is cheaper—with a starting price of $36,695 to the Q3’s $37,595. And it is more powerful—with a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood.
MORE: The fastest cars you can buy—for under $30,000
The fast alternative: 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLA-Class
Last—but certainly not least—we have the fastest of our subcompact luxury crossover SUV alternatives: the 2022
Mercedes-Benz
AMG GLA-Class. Depending on whether you’re driving the GLA-35 or the GLA-45, your SUV will be equipped with either a 302-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 375-horsepower one. These engines can rocket the GLA-35 and GLA-45 from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and 4.3 seconds respectively. It should be noted, however, that compared to all of the other subcompact luxury crossover SUVs on our list, the Mercedes does boast the highest price tag—by a lot—at $49,000 for its base trim ahead of any optional upgrades.
How to shrink your car insurance payments
In addition to being cheaper to finance and maintain, smaller SUVs also tend to be less expensive to insure. You can shrink your car expenses even more by investing in the most affordable
Audi insurance cost
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