@ Audi AG
@ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
VS

Audi Q3 vs VW T-Roc – Performance, range & efficiency compared

Two cars, one duel: Audi Q3 meets VW T-Roc.
Which one wins in performance, efficiency and value for money? Find out now!

Q3 @ Audi AG

Street Presence: Personality at a Glance

The compact coupe-ish stance of the Audi Q3 feels deliberately premium, while the VW T‑Roc wears a livelier, more youthful look that wants to be noticed in the city. The Q3’s styling reads refined and restrained — it’s the kind of car that says “understated money” — whereas the T‑Roc’s bolder cues give it a cheeky, outgoing character. Buyers who care about image will lean one way or the other depending on whether they prefer conservative luxury or playful personality.

T-Roc @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Behind the Wheel: Character and Choreography

On the move the two SUVs take very different approaches: the Audi Q3 trades tautness and precision for a composed, confidence-inspiring experience, while the VW T‑Roc feels lighter on its feet and more eager through town corners. Both are tidy and easy to live with, but the Q3 rewards those who prioritise calm and composure on longer stints, and the T‑Roc appeals to drivers who want a bit more sprightliness in everyday traffic. Steering, body control and pedal response combine to create two clearly distinct driving personalities rather than a single compromise solution.

Q3 @ Audi AG

Cabin Life: Daily Comfort and Usability

Step inside the Audi Q3 and you’re greeted by a cabin that skews premium, with materials and finishes that feel deliberately well put together; the VW T‑Roc counters with a practical, more playful interior that prioritises logic and ease of use. Both cabins are honest about their intentions: one leans towards a refined commute, the other towards a fuss-free user experience that families will appreciate. Ergonomics and visibility are solid in both, so neither will frustrate day-to-day duties.

T-Roc @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Weekend Life and Practicality

When it comes to living with either car, the T‑Roc makes a case for flexible, straightforward utility and easy city parking, while the Q3 emphasizes a slightly more grown-up approach to space and finish. Rear-seat comfort and adaptability are decent in both, making either a reasonable choice for small families, but the way they organise load space and cabin storage reflects their characters — practical versus polished. If you often juggle shopping, sports gear or weekend luggage, think about whether you want maximum convenience or a touch more refinement.

Q3 @ Audi AG

Ownership Angle: What You’ll Feel After a Year

Running either model will be a largely uneventful affair, but impressions diverge once you factor in perceived value versus brand cachet: the T‑Roc offers a sense of getting a lot for your money with an upbeat personality, while the Q3 offers a quieter confidence that some buyers find worth the premium. Service experience, build quality and residual confidence are delivered differently, so your feeling about long-term ownership will depend on whether you prize headline prestige or pragmatic practicality. Both are sensible choices; it’s a matter of what kind of ownership reassurance you prefer.

T-Roc @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Your Shortlist: Which Buyer Fits Which Car?

If you’re a style-conscious commuter who favours a composed cabin and a refined feel, the Audi Q3 will sit nicely on your list; if you’re a young family or a city shopper who wants personality and usability without fuss, the VW T‑Roc will tick more boxes. Neither is an out-and-out sports car or a brute workhorse — they’re compact SUVs with clear, buyer-friendly characters aimed at different priorities. Read on to see which model the DriveDuel judges crown as the champion — the reveal follows immediately after this feature.

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

Q3 @ Audi AG

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW T-Roc has a decisively advantage in terms of price – it starts at 26400 £, while the Audi Q3 costs 38200 £. That’s a price difference of around 11790 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Audi Q3 manages with 1.70 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the VW T-Roc with 5.50 L. The difference is about 3.80 L per 100 km.

T-Roc @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Audi Q3 has a significantly edge – offering 272 HP compared to 150 HP. That’s roughly 122 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Audi Q3 is convincingly quicker – completing the sprint in 5.70 s, while the VW T-Roc takes 8.90 s. That’s about 3.20 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Audi Q3 performs a bit better – reaching 240 km/h, while the VW T-Roc tops out at 212 km/h. The difference is around 28 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Audi Q3 pulls noticeable stronger with 400 Nm compared to 250 Nm. That’s about 150 Nm difference.

Q3 @ Audi AG

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, VW T-Roc is to a small extent lighter – 1465 kg compared to 1635 kg. The difference is around 170 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Audi Q3 offers minimal more room – 488 L compared to 475 L. That’s a difference of about 13 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Audi Q3 performs slight better – up to 1386 L, which is about 36 L more than the VW T-Roc.

When it comes to payload, Audi Q3 slight takes the win – 535 kg compared to 515 kg. That’s a difference of about 20 kg.

Who wins the race?

The Audi Q3 proves to be is largely superior and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Audi Q3 is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £38,200
Q3 @ Audi AG

Audi Q3

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.7 - 8.6 L
  • Electric Range : 118 - 119 km

Audi Q3

5 (1)
rate

The Audi Q3 feels like a grown-up compact SUV with premium polish and city-friendly agility, the sort of car that makes weekend escapes and daily commutes equally satisfying. Inside, you get quality materials and smart packaging that keep things practical without skimping on style, so it’s an easy pick for buyers who want luxury without the drama.

details

VW T-Roc

5 (2)
rate

The VW T-Roc mixes cheeky, coupe-like styling with the everyday sense and space of an SUV, so it looks fun without sacrificing family sense. It’s a likeable all-rounder with tidy road manners and plenty of personality, ideal if you want a car that’s practical enough for chores but entertaining enough to enjoy.

details
Audi Q3
VW T-Roc
Q3 @ Audi AG
T-Roc @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Costs and Consumption

Price
38200 - 52900 £
Price
26400 - 38000 £
Consumption L/100km
1.7 - 8.6 L
Consumption L/100km
5.5 - 6.3 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
118 - 119 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
39 - 195 g/km
co2
126 - 143 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 60 L
Fuel tank capacity
50 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
4 - 5
Doors
5
Doors
2 - 5
Curb weight
1635 - 1900 kg
Curb weight
1465 - 1539 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 488 L
Trunk capacity
284 - 475 L
Length
4531 mm
Length
4271 - 4373 mm
Width
1859 mm
Width
1811 - 1828 mm
Height
1559 - 1601 mm
Height
1527 - 1573 mm
Max trunk capacity
1196 - 1386 L
Max trunk capacity
1350 L
Payload
505 - 535 kg
Payload
368 - 515 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 272 HP
Power HP
115 - 150 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.7 - 9.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.9 - 12.3 s
Max Speed
208 - 240 km/h
Max Speed
187 - 212 km/h
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Torque
200 - 250 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
110 - 200 kW
Power kW
85 - 110 kW
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3
Engine capacity
999 - 1498 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, D
Brand
Audi
Brand
VW
Is the Audi Q3 offered with different drivetrains?

The Audi Q3 is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.