Audi India has launched the third-generation Q3, and the price has come in well below what most of us expected. The Nova variant starts at an introductory ₹51.99 lakh (ex-showroom), against the ₹55–60 lakh that Autocar India, Times Drive and Mint were predicting before the launch on 16 October 2026. The SUV is assembled at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India (SAVWIPL) plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, and deliveries have already begun.
The top-spec Zenith is the one detail that needs a footnote. Audi's launch press release only mentions the ₹51.99 lakh introductory figure, and Autocar India and Team-BHP both reported on launch night that the Zenith price would come later. Audi India's own online booking configurator, however, now shows the Zenith at ₹55.99 lakh ex-showroom, and ZigWheels lists the same number. We are going with the configurator figure, since it comes straight from Audi, but it has not appeared in a formal announcement yet.
New Audi Q3 Price in India
| Variant | Ex-showroom price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 Nova (2.0 TFSI, 7-speed S tronic, quattro) | ₹51,99,000 (introductory) | Audi India press release and myAudi configurator |
| Q3 Zenith (2.0 TFSI, 7-speed S tronic, quattro) | ₹55,99,000 | Audi India myAudi configurator; not in the launch press release |
Audi calls ₹51.99 lakh an "introductory" price but has not said how long it will last, so expect it to go up at some point. If the Q3 is on your list, ask the dealer to put the price and your delivery date in writing when you book. Bookings opened on 1 September at ₹1 lakh through the Audi India website, the myAudi Connect app and dealerships. For a rough idea of the final bill, CarWale puts the Nova's on-road price in Delhi at about ₹60.32 lakh.
For context, the outgoing second-generation Q3 is still listed at ₹43.67–53 lakh on Autocar India. So the new car costs more at the base, but not by as much as the pre-launch talk suggested. Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee summed up the reaction on X: "Good pricing & much lower than expected!"
Nova vs Zenith: What the Extra ₹4 Lakh Buys
Both variants use the same engine, gearbox and quattro system, and the official spec cards show identical performance. The difference is all in equipment. Audi India's brochure marks every Zenith-only item, which makes the split easy to follow.
The Nova is far from a stripped-out base car. It gets 18-inch multi-spoke alloys, LED headlights with high-beam control, illuminated Audi rings at the rear, the two-part electric panoramic sunroof, 3-zone climate control, powered and heated front seats with driver memory, a powered tailgate, and an Audi sound system with 10 speakers and 260 W. India Today reports matt cross-brushed aluminium inlays and a twin-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters for this trim.
The Zenith is where Audi has put the headline tech. You get Digital Matrix LED headlights made up of 25,600 micro-LEDs, four selectable light signatures, coming-home and leaving-home light animations, and lane and orientation lighting that projects onto the road. It also adds progressive steering, a colour head-up display, a 12-speaker SONOS system with 420 W, a flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel, 18-inch five-arm aero wheels in black with a gloss-turned finish, American Whitewood inlays and four high-output USB-C ports (two 100 W at the back, two 60 W up front). Nine airbags and Audi's proactive occupant protection system are also Zenith-only in the brochure.
| Feature | Nova | Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Headlights | LED headlights with high-beam control | Digital Matrix LED with micro-LEDs, lane and orientation light |
| Wheels | 18-inch multi-spoke | 18-inch five-arm aero, black, gloss-turned |
| Audio | Audi sound system, 10 speakers, 260 W | SONOS, 12 speakers, 420 W |
| Head-up display | No | Yes |
| Steering | Twin-spoke leather wheel | Flat-top/bottom sport wheel, progressive steering |
| Airbags | Count not published by Audi | Nine, plus proactive occupant protection |
One thing to check at the showroom: Audi's brochure lists the nine-airbag pack as Zenith-only and does not give the Nova's airbag count. Ask the dealer before you sign.
Engine and Performance
There is just one powertrain. The 2.0-litre TFSI turbo-petrol (1,984 cc) makes 150 kW (204 PS) between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm from 1,500 rpm. It drives all four wheels through a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Audi claims 0–100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 229 km/h. Audi drive select offers five modes, including an Offroad+ mode that works with downhill assist. There is no diesel or hybrid.
All-wheel drive is the Q3's trump card in this price band. The BMW X1 LWB is front-wheel drive only, and on the Mercedes GLA, 4MATIC is only offered on the diesel.
Design, Cabin and Space
According to Audi India's brochure, the new Q3 is 4,531 mm long, 1,859 mm wide and 1,601 mm tall, with a 2,681 mm wheelbase. Autocar India quotes 488 litres of boot space. The rear bench slides and reclines and has a 40:20:40 split, so you can trade legroom for luggage room when you need to.
The dashboard is built around a curved panel that holds an 11.9-inch (30.22 cm) Audi virtual cockpit plus and a 12.8-inch (32.51 cm) MMI touchscreen. The gear selector is now a stalk on the right of the steering column, and the left stalk handles lights and wipers. That frees up the centre console for two cupholders, a cooled wireless charging tray and a large bin under the armrest. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is ambient lighting with 30 colours.
The driver-assist kit includes adaptive cruise control, front emergency brake assist, a driver attention monitor, Park Assist plus and a reversing assistant that can retrace up to 50 metres. There is a rear camera, but no 360-degree camera, which both Autocar India and CarWale flag. The GLA and X1 LWB both have a 360-degree camera, so this is a real gap at this price.
Exterior colours are Sage Green, Mythos Black, Glacier White, Navarra Blue and Tambora Grey. Inside, you can choose Tamarind Brown or Pergament Beige.
Warranty, Service Packages and Deliveries
As a launch offer, Audi is bundling either a 2-year or a 5-year comprehensive Service Value Package with a 2+3-year extended warranty. Beyond that, buyers can take roadside assistance for up to 15 years, Service Value packages for up to 10 years and extended warranty for up to 10 years. Finance options include loans of up to 10 years, balloon schemes with lower EMIs and assured buyback offers. The Hindu reports that Audi said deliveries start immediately. CarWale puts the first handovers from 17 October.
New Audi Q3 vs BMW X1 LWB vs Mercedes-Benz GLA
The prices below are current ex-showroom listings from Autocar India and CarWale and can change.
| Model | Ex-showroom price | Powertrain |
|---|---|---|
| New Audi Q3 | ₹51.99 lakh (Nova), ₹55.99 lakh (Zenith) | 2.0 turbo-petrol, 204 PS, 7-speed DCT, AWD |
| BMW X1 LWB sDrive18Li M Sport | ₹49.90 lakh | 1.5 three-cylinder turbo-petrol, 156 hp, 7-speed DCT, FWD |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | ₹51.80 lakh (200), ₹53 lakh (220d), ₹55 lakh (220d 4MATIC AMG Line) | 1.3 turbo-petrol 163 hp FWD; 2.0 diesel 190 hp |
On paper, the Q3 Nova costs ₹2.09 lakh more than the X1 LWB and just ₹19,000 more than the GLA 200. For that, you get a lot more power than either petrol rival and the only petrol all-wheel-drive setup in the group. The X1 LWB fights back with a 2,800 mm wheelbase and a 360-degree camera. The GLA has the 360-degree camera too, plus a diesel option if you do long highway runs.
See our model pages for the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. If the Merc is on your list, read our GLA real-world review too. Our earlier Audi Q3 2026 review was written before the India details were out, so use this story for the final prices and specs.
Our Take
Most of us expected the Q3 to land somewhere near ₹55–60 lakh. Instead, Audi has priced the Nova right next to the GLA 200 and only a couple of lakh above the X1 LWB, while offering a 2.0-litre engine and quattro that neither rival gives you in petrol form. If you mainly want a solid luxury SUV with a strong engine, the Nova makes sense, as long as you are happy with the airbag count the dealer quotes. The Zenith's extra ₹4 lakh pays for the matrix lighting, head-up display, SONOS audio and full airbag pack, and that is what makes the new Q3 feel properly new. Either way, remember this is an introductory price, so booking sooner may cost less than waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the new Audi Q3 in India?
The Nova starts at an introductory ₹51.99 lakh ex-showroom, according to Audi India. Audi's myAudi configurator lists the Zenith at ₹55.99 lakh ex-showroom, although the launch press release only quotes the ₹51.99 lakh figure.
What are the variants of the new Audi Q3?
There are two: Nova and Zenith. Both get the same 2.0-litre TFSI engine with quattro. The Zenith adds Digital Matrix LED headlights, a head-up display, a 12-speaker SONOS system, progressive steering and nine airbags.
Which engine does the new Audi Q3 get?
A 2.0-litre TFSI turbo-petrol making 150 kW (204 PS) and 320 Nm, paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive. Audi claims 0–100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and a 229 km/h top speed.
Have deliveries of the new Audi Q3 started?
Yes. The Hindu reports that Audi said deliveries start immediately, and CarWale says the first handovers begin from 17 October 2026. Bookings are ₹1 lakh.
Where is the new Audi Q3 made?
It is assembled locally at the SAVWIPL plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, where production started on 25 September 2026.
