2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a distinctive appearance, characterized by the massive Audi corporate grille that meshed seamlessly with its stout and chunky styling. This design reflected a postmodern automotive aesthetic, suggesting utility and dynamic handling even though it primarily delivered on dynamic handling. The interior continued this modern, mechanical vibe with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen as a focal point. Though this design was cutting edge when it first debuted in 2019, Volkswagen's non-luxury interiors began to catch up in recent years, slightly diminishing the Q3's standout feeling. Nevertheless, Audi's cabins maintained a sense of modern refinement, albeit with a touch less exclusivity.

The 2021 Q3 came in Premium and Premium Plus trims. The Premium offered leather upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also included a power liftgate and several high-tech driver assistance features. The Premium Plus added remote and pushbutton start, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate. The available Technology Package, priced at $2,700, provided a larger touchscreen, premium stereo, and a digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's styling was similar to many other crossovers on the market. Its homogeneous design left it difficult to distinguish from competitors. Still, it had some unique touches like its grille design and occasional chromed plastic features. The color palette featured practical hues—mostly grays, black, and white, with some limited availability in blue and red for higher trims. Inside, the angular seats and the choice of black, gray, and ivory upholstery lent a modern look. However, other crossovers, like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, offered more distinctive styling, particularly in mid-tier trims, making the CR-V's appearance less memorable.

The Audi Q3 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. For those seeking more power, the S-Line trim tuned the same engine to deliver 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This potent powertrain made the Q3 feel lively and responsive, especially in "S" or Sport mode. The vehicle also included Audi's Drive Select system, offering Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, and Off-Road modes, thereby providing flexibility in different driving conditions.

While the base engine felt peppy, it suffered from turbo lag, noticeable under hard acceleration or when attempting to pass on the highway. Despite this minor drawback, the Q3’s handling was nimble, complemented by a comfortable ride, effectively balancing engagement and ride quality.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda CR-V, with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, aimed to provide consistent, smooth acceleration and predictable cornering. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of about 7.8 seconds, which was reasonably competitive within its segment. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which allowed the engine to maintain constant revs, albeit at the expense of an engaging driving experience. Most competitors offered more traditional and engaging transmissions, making the CR-V's performance feel somewhat lackluster.

The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with AWD available as an option. Its unibody construction and MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension mirrored industry standards, resulting in decent handling and ride quality. However, it did not stand out in these areas compared to competitors.

The interior of the 2021 Audi Q3 provided 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the total cargo volume was underwhelming for its class.

Nonetheless, the Q3 excelled in passenger space. The front seats were comfortable and featured deep pockets for storage, and the rear seats offered substantial headroom and legroom. While it seated five, it was more comfortable for four passengers on longer journeys.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and accommodate their cargo. It boasted 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, it offered 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space, outperforming the Q3 by a significant margin.

Accessing the cargo area depended on the trim level. Lower trims required manual operation of the tailgate, whereas the EX-L provided a power tailgate, and the Touring featured a hands-free tailgate, operable via a foot gesture. Roof rails for carrying additional cargo were exclusive to the Touring trim, whereas competitors often provided them in more trims.

The Audi Q3 in 2021 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen running the MMI system, known for its logical menu navigation and standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay integration. The upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen included navigation. Additional features such as wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system were available. The Virtual Cockpit, which replaced the traditional instrument cluster with a customizable digital display, was a standout feature.

The base 2021 Honda CR-V LX featured a modest 5-inch screen with Bluetooth connectivity but little else. From the Special Edition trim upwards, CR-Vs were equipped with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The EX trim and above featured a 180-watt audio system with six speakers, upgraded to 300 watts with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. Charging ports were abundant across the trims, including multiple USB ports and a 12-volt outlet in the center console. The Touring trim also offered a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features encompassed blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. A 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist were available for enhanced safety.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, though it did not achieve the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower headlight evaluations and newer side crash test results. Honda's approach to safety included making the entire suite of Honda Sensing technologies standard across all trims, ensuring advanced safety features were accessible to all buyers. Standard features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the EX trim upwards.