Audi’s newest SUV cuts some space for a sleeker look, which many buyers seem to prefer nowadays
July 11, 2025 at 15:13
- New renderings preview coupe-style Audi Q3 Sportback with sharper roof and rear design.
- Sportback sacrifices cargo capacity and rear headroom for more aggressive SUV styling.
- Powertrains will mirror standard Q3, with up to 268 hp e-hybrid variant in select markets.
The next evolution of Audi’s compact SUV lineup is already taking shape. Hot on the heels of the new Q3 that was revealed recently, its sleeker sibling is preparing to make its own entrance. The upcoming Q3 Sportback, recently caught in testing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, closely mirrors its more mainstream counterpart, with the key difference being a more dramatically sloped rear window.
A fresh set of renderings, based on those prototype sightings, now gives us a clearer picture of what the final model is likely to look like.
Read: We Asked For More Buttons, So The 2026 Audi Q3 Ditches The Stalks
The front end of the Q3 Sportback will be virtually identical to the regular model. That’s not a bad thing, as we think the new Audi Q3 looks quite nice up front, particularly thanks to its slim LED daytime running lights. However, there’s perhaps an excess of gloss black trim around the main headlamps, making it look as though the SUV has a very weird and awkward smile.
It’s the rear half where all the action is happening in these renderings from Kolesa. There are new rear quarter panels, smaller side windows, and a heavily tapered roofline to give the Sportback the coupe-SUV look that many buyers love nowadays.
Obviously, the newly shaped roof and rear window will impact rear headroom and reduce the Q3’s maximum cargo capacity somewhat, but for some, that trade-off is worth it for the sleeker shape.
Meanwhile the rear, the details remain largely unchanged. The LED taillights, full-width light bar, and illuminated Audi badge all carry over from the regular Q3.
The interior of the Q3 Sportback will also mirror that of the standard model, meaning it’ll include an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment display. There will also be the same steering wheel stalks that have sparked plenty of debate online. The right ‘stalk’ is used exclusively as a gear selector, while the left one houses the indicators, windshield wiper functions, and high beam.
Plenty of Powertrain Options
Under the hood, expect the same selection of engines. Depending on the market, they will include gas, diesel and plug-in hybrid options, starting at 148 hp. The most powerful version of the 2026 Q3 announced so far is the e-hybrid, delivering 268 hp and 295 lb-ft. This same unit will likely be offered in the Q3 Sportback, albeit only in certain markets.
Baldauf
#Ready #Dramatically #Swoopier #Audi
