Audi Q3 vs Toyota bZ

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), and two battery sizes. Models with the larger battery were priced higher but provided enhanced power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895, including the destination charge. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus for an additional $3,000. The vehicle's exterior was enhanced with Heavy Metal paint and other accessories, bringing the MSRP to $40,468. The 2026 bZ's design improvements included body-color trim, which was more appealing than the previous black overfender trim. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, and the fabric seats featured an upscale pattern. The 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control, although the digital driver display's placement and size remained a concern.

The 2026 Audi Q3 aimed for a more SUV-like appearance with a tall front end and elongated hood, featuring the traditional Audi “singleframe” grille. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Q3's design was cluttered with elements like faux air intakes and textured plastic, though the "UFO line" added a floating effect to the upper body. The Q3 included programmable daytime running lights and OLED taillights as part of the Technology Package. Built on the Volkswagen Group MQB architecture, the Q3 maintained its sporty S Line styling with standard 18-inch wheels, while 19-inch and 20-inch options were available. Audi streamlined the trim levels, elevating the interior with standard leather upholstery and wood dashboard trim, though the authenticity of the wood was questionable. The cabin's design featured padded materials and distinct concave surfaces, maintaining a quality feel despite the presence of plastic.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a range of power and efficiency options. The XLE with FWD and a 57.7-kWh battery delivered 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles and an efficiency rating of 26 kWh/100 miles. Upgrading to the 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles, while the Limited trim's range was slightly lower at 299 miles. Dual-motor models with the larger battery produced 338 hp, with a range of 288 miles for the XLE AWD and 278 miles for the Limited. The bZ supported fast charging, compatible with Tesla Superchargers, and offered a Level 2 home charging option. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the XLE Plus averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. The bZ's driving experience was generally agreeable, though it lacked one-pedal driving capability and had some traction control issues during turns.

The 2026 Audi Q3 retained its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, a notable increase from the previous model. This allowed the Q3 to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, faster than its predecessor. The new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox replaced the eight-speed automatic transmission, with AWD remaining standard. Despite its improved performance, the Q3's transmission and accelerator pedal were not optimized for quick starts, and the steering and suspension lacked the engagement found in competitors like the BMW X1. However, the Q3 offered a refined and composed ride at higher speeds, with reduced wind noise thanks to laminated acoustic glass. The ride quality was commendable, even with the optional 20-inch wheels, making the Q3 a comfortable choice for premium vehicle buyers.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making entry and exit easy. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment available in XLE and Limited trims. The bZ's interior included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. Storage options were plentiful, with a large bin under the center armrest, a tray beneath the console, and dual wireless smartphone chargers. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ provided 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, reduced to 25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim due to a JBL subwoofer. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet.

The 2026 Audi Q3 grew in size, with increased length, height, and width compared to the 2025 model, while maintaining a similar wheelbase. This resulted in identical legroom in both rows, with a reclining and sliding second-row bench seat maximizing space. The Q3 offered 29 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat upright, increasing to 50 cubic feet with the seat folded. Despite losing some first-row headroom, the Q3 effectively maximized interior space, though it trailed competitors in rear-seat headroom and front-seat legroom. The Q3 excelled in cargo space behind the second row, making it a practical choice over small sedans. The new control layout featured a bar across the steering column for shifting and signaling, freeing up space for cupholders and a cooled wireless device charger. The door panels offered ample storage, enhancing the Q3's practicality.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display's placement and size made it difficult to read, while the infotainment system, running Toyota Audio Multimedia, lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans available. The Drive Connect system powered navigation and voice assistant features, with the latter performing well in tests.

The 2026 Audi Q3 introduced the Digital Stage screen setup, combining an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen in a curved housing. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional apps available through a built-in store. The system featured natural-language voice recognition with ChatGPT integration, offering both entertainment and practical commands. The optional Technology Package included a head-up display, while the Infotainment Package offered SiriusXM satellite radio and a 12-speaker Sonos audio system, though the latter lacked midrange sound quality.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs for enhanced safety. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Limited trim offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with high marks for front-crash avoidance but poor ratings for headlights and frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2026 Audi Q3 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. An optional Driver Assistance Package added a 360-degree camera system and Park Assist Plus. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing, but the previous generation's mixed performance indicated room for improvement.