2026 Audi Q3 brings micro-LED lighting technology and can be trained to park where you want it 2026 Audi Q3 brings micro-LED lighting technology and will let you train it to park itself

The 2026 Audi Q3 will take the battle to the BMW X1 and other luxurious compact SUVs with recent expertise that involves micro-LED exterior lights and a parking system that would additionally be taught utterly different manoeuvres.

Audi has published its third-generation Q3 overnight, sooner than the mannequin’s European initiating in September and its later arrival in Australia one day in 2026.

The Q3 was once Audi’s largest-promoting automobile domestically in 2024, where it performed 2nd to the larger Q5 in worldwide sales.

Rivals consist of the aforementioned X1, Mercedes GLA, Mini Countryman, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Volvo XC40.

Here’s Chasing Autos’ rapid manual to the recent Audi Q3…

Exterior procedure with micro-LED lights

The 2026 Q3 will be offered with Matrix digital headlights that comprises micro-LED expertise that bring lights capabilities tied to driver support systems. First viewed within the A8 limo, the headlight modules incorporate extra than 25,000 micro LEDs which are half the thickness of a hair follicle.

Following one other car vogue, the headlights sit down below daylight working lights – which are also now digital, that comprises 23 segments that would additionally be configured into utterly different shows by the cabin’s infotainment conceal.

Digital OLED tail-lights (and 4-ring label) can even be optionally accessible, with a plump-width slender mild strip customary across gadgets.

The front reside takes some inspiration from the emblem’s electrical big SUV, the Q6 E-Tron, even supposing the Q3’s grille remains very principal open in appreciate to its vary of combustion engines.

There’s a greatly extra athletic procedure for the most trendy Q3, that comprises blistered wheelarches, a substantial wider grille, and a customarily sportier stance that’s complemented by wider tyres than the outgoing mannequin.

The professional pictures showcase a Q3 in a recent Chronicle Inexperienced exterior paint along side an optionally accessible S Line sad exterior bundle.

Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 20 inches, with alternatives in conjunction with aerodynamic rims and Audi Sport rims.

Audi has launched pictures of the Q3 ‘SUV’ handiest for now, with a extra coupe-esteem Sportback variant to affix the road-up once extra.

The German label hasn’t supplied details yet on the recent Q3’s dimensions.

Interior

The 2026 Audi Q3 cabin is dominated by a sad upper-drag structure that contains an 11.9-roam digital instrument cluster straight sooner than the driver, and further centrally a 12.8-roam infotainment display.

As with the present Q3, the infotainment touchscreen is angled in direction of the driver. Audi references a head-up display, even supposing it’s unclear if this could perhaps be customary on all gadgets.

Bodily local climate regulate actions carry out manner for digital buttons at the underside of the touchscreen.

Transmission option also switches from a veteran gearlever to a stalk on the correct facet of the steering wheel.

This creates a cleaner, flatter centre console procedure that contains engine initiating up-halt button, audio volume and song controller, cupholders, and a sliding conceal that hides a 15-watt smartphone charging tray.

Alternatives consist of a 420-watt Sonos audio system and an illuminated fabric door panel that expands the cabin’s ambient lights.

Audi says nine within programs are on hand, with the Q3 cabin adopting elevated utilize of sustainable materials.

The flat-topped and flat-bottomed steering wheel with S label and semi-perforated leather-primarily based utterly wrapping, plus neatly bolstered fabric front seats, facets to an S Line within.

The Q3’s 2nd row of seating will again dart fore-aft to allow owners to balance passenger dwelling and boot capability.

Nonetheless, boot dwelling drops for the recent-generation mannequin. Whereas the present Q3 affords between 530 and 675 litres searching on situation of the rear seatbacks, the change mannequin’s vary is 488 to 575 litres.

Drivetrains

Will Audi Australia import the following Q3 with the headline trot-in hybrid powertrain? The approaching Fresh Vehicle Emissions Plot (NVES) could perhaps instructed the inclusion of a drivetrain that now brings a 19.7kWh battery that’s almost twice the dimensions and will increase the Q3 PHEV’s electrical vary from 51km to 120km (WLTP).

Far extra certain are a kind of petrol engines, with alternatives in conjunction with a 110kW front-force procedure, a 150kW/320Nm ‘quattrol’ all-wheel force, and a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder all-wheel force.

Europe can even maintain get staunch of entry to to a 110kW front-force diesel Q3, even supposing this appears not truly for Australia taking into account the present mannequin specializes in petrol handiest.

There’s no news yet on whether the vary will in the end be again topped by a flagship RSQ3.

Driver assistance

The 2026 Q3 adds the power for the owner to educate the automobile to carry out up to 5 utterly different parking manoeuvres, up to a maximum distance of 50 metres. Audi uses the examples of sophisticated-to-get staunch of entry to garages or automobile ports, and says the driver can jump out and simply see.

Emergency assistance has been upgraded to maintain the power to force the Q3 autonomously to a stable halt at the facet of the road if there’s no response from the driver.

Visitors impress recognition also adds extra indicators, in conjunction with animal crossings and railroad crossings.