2026 Audi Q3 | First Drive

New Zealand’s first drive in the third‑generation Audi Q3. It’s one of Audi’s global best‑sellers, and after more than seven years, this new model arrives with some big expectations. Audi New Zealand has brought in a left‑hand‑drive, pre‑production car straight from Germany, giving us an early chance to explore the design, the tech, and the clever innovations that shape this completely reimagined Q3. From its sharper, more modern look to a minimalist new interior and Audi’s debut of its AI‑powered assistant, this is a compact SUV stepping confidently into a new era. And for Kiwi buyers, that new era is backed by a broader, more capable lineup of powertrains. The NZ range will launch with three options: an efficient 1.5‑litre TFSI producing 110 kW and 250 Nm, a stronger 2.0‑litre TFSI quattro delivering 195 kW and 400 Nm, and the new Q3 e‑hybrid pairing a 1.5‑litre engine with an electric motor for a combined 200 kW and 400 Nm and up to 111 km of electric‑only range. So let’s dive in — because if this early preview is anything to go by, the next‑gen Q3 is about to make a big statement.