The Audi Q3 does 23.9 mpg combined (20.9 city, 28.5 highway), which works out to about $1,607 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Audi Q3 engine, compared
The Audi Q3 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 20.9 / 28.5 | 2015–2026 | $1,607 |
What that actually costs
The Audi Q3 burns a gallon every 23.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 502 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,607 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,035 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$113 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,883 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Audi Q3 gives up 7.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.5 out there against 20.9 in town, a 36% drop worth $490 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 20.9 mpg | $1,837 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.5 mpg | $1,347 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.6 mpg (36%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Q3 changed over the years
The Q3 peaked in 2022 at 26 mpg (23 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2020 at 22 — 4 mpg apart, or $268 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 25. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2025 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2024 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2023 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2022 | 23 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2020 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2018 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2017 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2016 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Audi Q3 — 1 engine across 2015–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,883. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi Q3 get?
23.9 mpg combined on average — 20.9 in the city and 28.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2026.
How much does a Audi Q3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,607 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,035 over five years, or 0.134 dollars a mile.
Which Q3 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 23.9 mpg.
Is the Q3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Q3 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Audi Q3 is $2,883 against the $1,607 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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