Suzuki S-Cross vs Audi Q3
What's the difference?

Suzuki S-Cross

$22,490 - $34,495

2024 price

View pricing & specs

Audi Q3

$58,700 - $84,327

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Summary

2024 Suzuki S-Cross

2026 Audi Q3

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Stephen Ottley

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.2L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Strong turbo powertrain
Practical and spacious cabin
Surprisingly agile handling

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

Dislikes

High prices
Dated design
Needs 95 RON premium unleaded

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

2024 Suzuki S-Cross Summary

Would you consider a European-made small SUV with a terrific turbo engine from one of our all-time favourite hot hatches, a reliable torque-converter auto, ample room for five plus luggage, and all from under $40K?

You’d be at the very least a bit curious, right?

Behold the latest Suzuki S-Cross! Okay. It’s been around the sun nearly a dozen times. And you can clock its age in a couple of key areas.

But this crossover from the class of 2013 is not even close to being the oldest-in-show (stand up, Mitsubishi ASX). And, as our testing revealed, the S-Cross can still teach far newer rivals like the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Haval Jolion and Subaru Crosstrek a thing or two.

Because thoughtful design is timeless. Time, then, to crack open the S-Cross.

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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

2024 Suzuki S-Cross 2026 Audi Q3

Verdict

Back in the day, you’d hear people say they’d never buy an all-new car, but instead get the last of the old model that would have had all the bugs ironed out.

If this sort of homespun logic makes sense, then maybe the latest S-Cross might just be the perfect SUV car for you.

Not only has it been in production for years, there is nothing fundamentally wrong with it. Indeed, for performance, packaging and ease, it does plenty that's right. Thoughtful design is timeless.

But there are newer alternatives that look way fresher (particularly inside) yet cost the same or less, and offer more, including updated driver-assist safety.

Still, you can do a lot worse than take an S-Cross for a test drive.

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.

Suzuki S-Cross vs Audi Q3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Suzuki S-Cross vs Audi Q3
What's the difference?