Mazda CX-3 vs Audi Q3
What's the difference?

Mazda CX-3

$30,670 - $39,190

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Audi Q3

$58,700 - $84,327

2026 price

View pricing & specs

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Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

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Summary

2026 Mazda CX-3

2026 Audi Q3

By Chris Thompson

By Stephen Ottley

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.0L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

—

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.3L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Build quality
Strong driving dynamics
Design aging well

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

Dislikes

Lack of efficiency
Interior tech outdated
Could be cheaper?

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

2026 Mazda CX-3 Summary

Mazda has updated one of its most popular, but rather old models.

Yes, the Mazda CX-3 is still around after more than a decade since its reveal, and it remains almost at the tippy-top of Mazda’s local sales charts.

With the brand having shifted 8221 CX-3s in the first half of 2025, it seems the light updates and modest price rise haven’t scared away any potential customers.

We’ve grabbed a CX-3 Evolve, the second-up of four available variants, to see if the popular light SUV still stacks up, or if you’re better off taking your money elsewhere.

View full pricing & specs

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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Deep dive comparison

2026 Mazda CX-3 2026 Audi Q3

Verdict

‘You get what you pay for’ comes to mind with the CX-3, which is interesting given it’s neither the newest nor most feature-packed SUV in its class.

The ageing light SUV does however offer one of the best-put-together experiences in a car of this size and its engine is powerful for the class. Build quality feels well above par and there aren’t any annoying inclusions that are becoming more common in new cars.

There aren’t many downsides unless you were hoping for a big screen and the ability to play around with software functions, but at this end of the new car spectrum, a car that drives this well and remains stylish a decade on should be applauded.

Put aside its relative (but forgivable) lack of efficiency and somewhat smaller boot than rivals, and the CX-3 nails everything it needs to.

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.

Mazda CX-3 vs Audi Q3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mazda CX-3 vs Audi Q3
What's the difference?