2026 Audi Q3 Edition 1 1.5 TFSI Mild Hybrid Review
Sharper suit, calmer cabin, and a fuel tank that refuses to quit.
*Our own real-world figure from the test drive, not an official claim.
The Good
- Sharper design than before
- Around 850km on one tank
- Premium, minimalist cabin
- Fast, crisp MMI screens
- Composed through bends
The Not So Good
- New stalks take getting used to
- Wiper button knob is unusual
- Aircon weak at fan speed 3
- Tunnel eats middle rear legroom
- A little wind noise
Best For
- Small families wanting a premium badge
- Drivers who hate petrol station stops
- Weekend JB runs and long drives
- Anyone upsizing from a hatch
Fun Facts First
Introduction
The Audi Q3 has always been that sensible premium choice: big enough for the family, small enough to squeeze into a tight HDB lot, and wearing the four rings that make the neighbours look twice. For this new generation, Audi has sharpened the looks, cleaned up the cabin and slipped a 48V mild hybrid system under the bonnet.
We spent time with the Edition 1, the launch variant that adds adaptive suspension with two-valve damper control. Here is what we found, the good bits and the quirks.
What's New vs the Previous Model
| Area | Previous Q3 | New Q3 Edition 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Clean, conservative lines | Sharper, more sculpted look |
| Powertrain | Turbo petrol | 1.5 TFSI with 48V mild hybrid, 148bhp, 250Nm |
| Gear selector | Conventional centre selector | Shift-by-wire stalk |
| Screens | Separate digital displays | 12.8-inch MMI touchscreen plus 11.9-inch instrument panel |
| Lighting | LED lights | 3 selectable daytime LED signatures, illuminated rear rings |
| Suspension | Standard setup | Adaptive suspension with two-valve damper control |
Previous model column kept general for comparison.
Exterior Design
First impression: this Q3 looks sharper than the one before. The lines are crisper and the whole car carries itself like a sporty premium compact SUV rather than a tall hatchback. It looks good parked at the condo, and it looks even better catching the evening light along ECP.
Lighting is where Audi likes to show off. You get 3 customisable daytime LED light signatures to choose from. Higher tier Audi models offer 8, so yes, the Q3 gets the shorter menu, but we honestly had fun cycling through the three.
Our favourite detail though? The illuminated Audi logo at the rear. It is a small touch, but it makes the car look properly premium at night, and we caught ourselves admiring it more than once in the car park.
Interior Review
Step inside and the cabin is minimalist and feels premium. There is less clutter, cleaner surfaces and a more modern feel overall. It is the kind of cabin that makes a jam on the CTE feel slightly less painful.
Now for the quirks. The Q3 gets unique signal and gear stalk designs, and the gear selector is shift-by-wire. It works fine, but somehow we still prefer the old design. Same story for the wipers: speed and control use a button knob design that is different from the conventional stalk, so it takes a while before your hand finds it without thinking. Expect a few accidental wipes in your first week, especially when a sudden afternoon downpour hits.
Infotainment & Sound
The 12.8-inch MMI infotainment system and the 11.9-inch instrument panel are both crisp and clear. More importantly, the system is responsive. No awkward lag when you tap through menus, which matters when you are trying to change the destination at a traffic light.
There is also a wireless 15W phone-charging pad, so your phone stays topped up on the way to work without fumbling for cables.
Seats & Comfort
The cabin feels premium and refined overall. One gripe in our weather though: the aircon could be stronger at lower settings. At fan speed 3, it did not feel quite as punchy as we wanted on a hot afternoon, so you may find yourself bumping it up a notch more often than expected.
Rear Passenger Space
Rear passengers still get good legroom and headroom, and there are rear aircon vents, which is a must in our weather. There are also small cubbies on both sides of the rear seats, handy for stashing a phone, tissue packets or the kids' snacks. The catch is the centre transmission tunnel. It gets in the way of the middle passenger's feet, so the middle seat is better for short trips. Two adults at the back will be happy. Three will start negotiating.
Boot Space
The boot offers 488 litres with the seats up, growing to 1,386 litres with the rear seats folded. That is plenty for a big NTUC run, a couple of luggage bags for a weekend in JB, or that IKEA trip you keep putting off.
Driving Experience
Under the bonnet is a 1.5 TFSI with a 48V mild hybrid system, making 148bhp and 250Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Switch to Dynamic mode and the Q3 gets up to speed nicely, with a roaring sound effect to match. Is it real engine noise or a bit of theatre? Either way, it puts a grin on your face.
Ride & Handling
The Edition 1 comes with adaptive suspension featuring two-valve damper control, and the car controls well when you go around bends a bit faster. There is some slight body roll, but overall it stays manageable and never feels sloppy. Think confident on the KPE curves, not nervous.
Refinement
Sound insulation is decent. You do get a little wind noise at speed, but it never got annoying. Overall the Q3 feels refined, which is what you want from a premium compact SUV.
And the fuel consumption? Very good. We got around 850km out of one tank. That means fewer trips to the pump and more money left for kopi.
Is It Right for You?
Buy it if
- You want a premium compact SUV that looks sharp
- You hate topping up fuel every week
- You value a responsive, modern infotainment system
- You want a sporty feel without going full sports car
Think twice if
- You regularly seat three adults in the back
- You love conventional stalks and wiper controls
- You run the aircon on low and want it icy
- You are very sensitive to wind noise
What We Like
- Sharper design than the previous gen
- Illuminated rear Audi logo
- Excellent range, around 850km per tank
- Crisp, responsive 12.8-inch MMI
- Premium, minimalist cabin
- Confident handling with adaptive suspension
- Rear aircon vents and wireless charging
- Handy cubbies on both sides of the rear seats
Could Be Better
- We still prefer the old stalk designs
- Wiper button knob has a learning curve
- Aircon could be stronger at fan speed 3
- Centre tunnel limits middle rear comfort
- A little wind noise at speed
- 3 daytime LED designs vs 8 on higher tiers
Verdict
The new Audi Q3 Edition 1 is a sharper, more refined take on a familiar favourite. It looks better, the cabin feels properly premium, the screens are quick, and around 850km from one tank is the kind of figure that makes you smile every time you pass a petrol station.
It is not perfect. The new stalks and wiper knob need some getting used to, the aircon could hit harder at lower speeds, and the middle rear seat is best kept for short trips. But if you want a sporty premium compact SUV that is easy to live with day to day, the Q3 Edition 1 makes a very convincing case.
FAQ
Is the Audi Q3 1.5 TFSI Cat A or Cat B COE?
With 148bhp (about 110kW), it is above the 97kW Cat A limit, so it falls under Cat B COE.
Does the Audi Q3 mild hybrid need to be charged?
No. It uses a 48V mild hybrid system that works with the 1.5 TFSI petrol engine, so you just fill up with petrol as usual. There is no plug.
How fuel efficient is the Audi Q3 Edition 1?
Very. In our test we got around 850km out of one tank of petrol.
How big is the Audi Q3 boot?
488 litres with the rear seats up, and up to 1,386 litres with the rear seats folded.
Is the Audi Q3 comfortable for rear passengers?
Two adults get good legroom and headroom, plus rear aircon vents. The centre transmission tunnel does limit foot space for a middle passenger.
What does the Edition 1 variant add?
The Edition 1 comes with adaptive suspension featuring two-valve damper control, which helped the Q3 stay composed when we took bends faster.
Full Specifications
| Item | Audi Q3 Edition 1 1.5 TFSI Mild Hybrid |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5 TFSI turbo petrol |
| Hybrid system | 48V mild hybrid |
| Power | 148bhp |
| Torque | 250Nm |
| Transmission | Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch, shift-by-wire |
| Suspension | Adaptive suspension with two-valve damper control |
| Infotainment | 12.8-inch MMI touchscreen |
| Instrument panel | 11.9-inch digital display |
| Phone charging | Wireless 15W charging pad |
| Lighting | 3 selectable daytime LED signatures, illuminated rear Audi rings |
| Boot space | 488L to 1,386L |
| Rear comfort | Rear aircon vents, small cubbies on both sides of the rear seats |
| Real-world range (our test) | Around 850km per tank |
| COE category | Cat B |
Specifications from Audi's Edition 1 details at the time of our test. The range figure is our own real-world result. Please check with the authorised dealer for the latest pricing and specifications.