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Audi Q3 vs Mercedes EQA comparison

Compare performance (272 HP vs 228 HP), boot space and price (38,200 £ vs 45,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Audi Q3 or Mercedes EQA?

Audi Q3 vs Mercedes EQA: Key differences

Audi Q3

4.3 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • markedly cheaper
  • somewhat more power
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly lighter
  • markedly more trunk space
details

Mercedes EQA

4.7 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more electric range
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By

Q3

Overview: Audi Q3 VS Mercedes EQA — compact premium, different answers

Audi Q3 and Mercedes EQA arrive at the same customer question — a premium compact SUV — but propose different lifestyles rather than identical solutions. The Audi Q3 VS Mercedes EQA matchup is essentially comfort-and-flexibility versus electric calm and cabin theatre. Audi Q3 leans on familiar SUV utility, variable rear seating and a composed, motorway‑ready character. Mercedes EQA trades some cargo and rear space for a noticeably more luxe cabin and an entirely electric, whisper‑quiet experience. Read on to decide which trade-offs match your daily life rather than which spec sheet looks better.

EQA

Character and driving feel

The Audi Q3 drives like a confident compact SUV that prefers composure over fireworks — it steers predictably, settles into long motorway runs and rewards the optional adaptive dampers with a smoother ride. The Mercedes EQA, by contrast, feels like an electric cruiser: instant low‑end urge, hushed interior and a focus on relaxed progress rather than sporty engagement. If you want sharper acceleration and a more traditionally weighted chassis, the Q3 will feel more natural; if you prize silent thrust and an effortless, refined pace, the EQA delivers. Both are safe and secure, but their personalities push you toward different kinds of enjoyment behind the wheel. Your choice here is about whether you want driving reassurance and flexibility (Q3) or refined, electric serenity (EQA).

Q3

Comfort and cabin quality

Both cabins aim for premium, but they take distinct routes: the Audi Q3 presents a refined, almost overtly engineered environment with tactile surfaces and a clear logical layout, while the Mercedes EQA goes for sensory luxury — softer surfaces, dramatic ambient lighting and a “cabin feels expensive” vibe. Rear seat space feels more generous and practical in the Q3 thanks to a sliding bench and clever packaging, whereas the EQA’s back row is more suited to shorter hops or two adults rather than full‑size family comfort. Long runs reward both with low noise levels, but the Q3’s ride can feel firmer without the adaptive dampers that smooth it out. In short, pick the Q3 if you want pragmatic comfort with high‑grade materials; take the EQA if you want an onboard ambience that reads a step above in everyday luxury.

EQA

Practicality and everyday usability

When it comes to luggage, loading and daily family chores the Audi Q3 clearly leans toward usability: a wider boot opening, more usable floor space and the adjustable rear bench make packing strollers or sports kit less fiddly. The Mercedes EQA trades some of that practicality for its electric layout and compact dimensions, so you’ll need to be choosier about luggage and rear‑seat passengers. Infotainment and controls also split opinions — Audi’s systems feel crisp and direct but some controls need getting used to, while Mercedes’ MBUX is richly featured but more touch‑centric and occasionally fussy. Both will handle school runs and grocery trips with ease, but the Q3 simply makes the physical logistics of family life easier. If cargo and flexible interior space are priorities, the Q3 is the more practical pick in day‑to‑day use.

Q3

Long trips, charging and real‑world range consequences

On long journeys the Audi Q3’s strength is straightforward: combustion or hybrid options mean you aren’t tied to public charging and refuelling stops are quick, so long runs stay convenient and predictable. The Mercedes EQA shines by delivering a calm, low‑vibration experience and very efficient real‑world electric range for most daily use, but its charging rhythm is more conservative than some rivals, so your pit stops on long trips take longer. That means the EQA is ideal for drivers with regular home charging or those who favour relaxed travel and plan stops, while the Q3 suits drivers who value nonstop range or rapid turnarounds. Both are comfortable cruisers in their own right, but the EQA forces you to think in charging intervals whereas the Q3 allows a more traditional, fill‑and‑go mindset. Consider whether you want the lower running cost and quiet of an electric cruiser (EQA) or the uninterrupted flexibility of a combustion/hybrid system (Q3).

EQA

Buyer fit — who should choose which car

If your life revolves around city commuting, an electric daily routine and a taste for an especially upscale cabin, the Mercedes EQA will feel like a reassuring, low‑stress companion that rewards home charging and relaxed driving. If you need one car to cover family logistics, motorway miles and occasional long trips without planning every stop, the Audi Q3 is the practical, versatile choice with clearer luggage room and more drivetrain flexibility. Buyers seeking the most luxurious interior theatre and electric refinement will tilt to the EQA, while buyers prioritising utility, rear‑seat flexibility and motorway composure will find the Q3 more suitable. Neither car is universally better — they simply suit different rhythms of life, so your next step is to match those rhythms to the technical details that follow.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Q3

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Audi Q3 is markedly cheaper – starting at 38,200 £ , while the Mercedes EQA costs 45,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,646 £.

As for electric range, the Mercedes EQA offers substantially more range – reaching up to 476 km, about 357 km more than the Audi Q3.

EQA

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi Q3 offers somewhat more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 228 HP. That’s roughly 44 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi Q3 is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 5.7 s, while the Mercedes EQA takes 7.7 s. That’s about 2 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Audi Q3 delivers very slightly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 390 Nm. That’s about 10 Nm more.

Q3

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Audi Q3 is clearly lighter – 1,635 kg compared to 2,115 kg. The difference is around 480 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Audi Q3 offers markedly more boot space – 488 L compared to 340 L. That’s a difference of about 148 L.

When it comes to payload, the Audi Q3 carries noticeably more – 535 kg compared to 425 kg. That’s a difference of about 110 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes EQA has only a minor advantage in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £45,900
EQA

Mercedes EQA

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 228 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 16.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 476 km
Audi Q3
Mercedes EQA

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is a compact premium crossover that blends sharp styling with a well-crafted interior, making it an appealing choice for urban drivers who want a touch of luxury. It delivers a composed ride, intuitive tech features and a practical cabin, so it works well as a comfortable daily driver with an upscale feel.

details

Mercedes EQA

The Mercedes EQA slips into the electric crossover ranks with the brand’s familiar luxury polish, offering a quiet, fuss-free drive that feels perfectly at home in the city or on a country escape. Inside it’s neatly finished and tech-forward, projecting grown-up refinement even if it plays things a bit safe for anyone chasing outright excitement.

details
Audi Q3
Mercedes EQA

Costs and Consumption

Price
38,200 - 54,200 £
Price
45,900 - 54,900 £
Consumption L/100km
1.7 - 8.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
16.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
109 - 119 km
Electric Range
476 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
39 - 199 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,635 - 1,900 kg
Curb weight
2,115 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 488 L
Trunk capacity
340 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,859 mm
Width
1,834 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
505 - 535 kg
Payload
425 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plug-in Hybrid, Diesel
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 272 HP
Power HP
228 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.7 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Torque
390 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
110 - 200 kW
Power kW
168 kW
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, G, B, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Audi
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.