Audi Q3 (2011-2018) review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

The most economical Audi Q3 is the 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI diesel. In front-wheel-drive guise and with a manual gearbox, it claims 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 117g/km. If you opt for the quattro four-wheel-drive system with the same engine, emissions increase to 129g/km and the official economy figure drops to 57.6mpg. 

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With the exception of the RS Q3, the 2.0 TFSI with quattro four-wheel drive is the most powerful Q3 in the range, but it claims 42.8mpg and 152g/km. The 1.4 TFSI Cylinder on Demand model is a good compromise, with official figures of 51.4mpg and 127g/km.

Buyers with their eyes on efficiency probably won’t be opting for the RS Q3, but the official figure stands at a reasonable 32.8mpg. Drive it hard and that return will plummet.

Insurance groups

While a strong brand image and great build quality give the Audi Q3 a premium feel, the insurance costs are on a par with SUV/crossover rivals.

The insurance group ratings range from group 20 for the 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol car to group 27 for the 178bhp 2.0-litre petrol. The line-up compares favourably to other similar cars – for example, a 1.6-litre diesel Nissan Qashqai falls into group 19.

Audi RS Q3 owners will naturally face a much bigger insurance hit. A hefty group 37 rating reflects this version’s high-performance potential.

Depreciation

Fortunately, the premium brand image means Audis tend to hold their value well across the board, so expect the Q3 not to depreciate as heavily as some of its rivals.

In 2014 a survey by trade expert CAP put the Audi Q3 at number three in its top 10 list of ‘lowest depreciators’, suggesting owners could look forward to retaining almost 70 per cent of the new cost after three years. That figure has dropped in recent years, but a retained value in excess of 50 per cent is still very impressive for a car that's been around for over seven years.