Audi Q3 vs Suzuki Jimny
What's the difference?

Audi Q3

$58,700 - $84,327

2026 price

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Suzuki Jimny

$30,490 - $47,490

2026 price

View pricing & specs

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Summary

2026 Audi Q3

2026 Suzuki Jimny

By Stephen Ottley

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Inline 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

6.4L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Stylish, premium looks
Well-integrated technology
Good active safety calibration

Manual gearbox
Capable off-road
Fun to drive off-road

Dislikes

No PHEV option (yet)
A few rattles in our test car
Small back seat

Can't fit a lot inside
Ordinary to drive on-road
Needs better tyres for off-roading

2026 Audi Q3 Summary

Replacing a popular model is fraught with danger. Existing customers will tell you they love it, while focus groups of non-customers will tell you why they hate it and sometimes carmakers get caught trying to appease both groups.

Sometimes they’ll make it too big or change too much in the search for more sales and ultimately end up removing the elements that made it popular in the first place.

Which is why Audi has been extra careful with some subtle evolution for this new-generation Q3 SUV and Sportback. This isn’t just a popular model for Audi Australia, it has been the best-selling model for the German brand for more than five years, so getting it wrong would be a disaster.

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2026 Suzuki Jimny Summary

The Suzuki Jimny is back with a tech refresh and very minor update after a year-long pause in production.

The line-up now has an updated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system – so that system is now compliant with Australian Design Rules standards – as well as adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and front and rear parking sensors.

My test vehicle – the entry-level Jimny Lite – also gets a new 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of this latest line-up refresh.

So, does the updated base-spec Jimny – which now costs $1500 more than it did before – represent best value for money in this Zook range?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi Q3 2026 Suzuki Jimny

Verdict

So is this new Q3 good enough to remain Audi’s number one choice? In a word, yes.

Audi has resisted the temptation that some brands fall into by making too many changes to a proven sales performer. This new Q3 isn’t radically different from the old Q3, but it has improved in almost every way.

It isn’t different enough to widely expand its appeal to a new wave of customers, but there’s no reason it won’t remain Audi’s most popular choice for the foreseeable future.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

The Suzuki Jimny Lite is the most basic of the Suzuki Jimny line-up but that’s not a bad thing.

It’s ordinary on-road, it’s on the wrong side of small – especially in terms of cargo-carrying ability – and it’s still an exercise in driver-adaptability because it’s basic, bouncy and requires a lot of effort to keep it driving in a straight line.

But the Jimny is a lot of fun off road and even on sealed surfaces. It is go-kart-like in terms of everyday suitability and comfort, but its day-to-day drivability has received a healthy boost by way of those new driver-assist technologies and the updated AEB.

If you’re willing to give into the fun and cop a few compromises along the way, then you won’t be disappointed, because the Jimny is a tonne of fun.

Audi Q3 vs Suzuki Jimny What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi Q3 vs Suzuki Jimny
What's the difference?