Roman Danaev25 February 20265 min

Audi and Volkswagen share the same roots, which makes the VW Tiguan vs Audi Q3 comparison an interesting one.

Both are popular SUVs that offer space, comfort, and a touch of luxury, wrapped in stylish designs. The Audi Q3 comes with a higher price, but the Tiguan doesn’t feel cheap. Owning both would be great, but if that’s not an option, our review will help you pick the right one.

Quick comparison at a glance

Here’s a quick look at the key differences and highlights of the Audi Q3 vs Volkswagen Tiguan:

	Audi Q3	Volkswagen Tiguan
Styling	More aggressive front grille, sharper details	More reserved, conservative design
Drive experience	Firmer suspension, sportier feel (especially S Line)	Compact footprint, easy handling
Interior feel	Sleek, modern design, premium ambience	Simpler layout, excellent ergonomics
Practicality	Good space, slightly less airy rear	Slightly roomier cabin and storage
Trim range	Sport, S Line, Vorsprung	S, Match, SEL, R‑Line Tech
Used market appeal	Strong residuals, premium badge	More competitive pricing, great used value

Price comparison

A 2018 Tiguan generally goes for £9,000-£11,000, and a 2018 Q3 sits slightly higher at £10,000-£12,000. For new cars, the new Tiguan ranges from £38,000 to £53,000, compared with the 2025 Audi Q3 starting from £38,300 and reaching £57,800.

As you can see, across both used and new car markets, the two are closely priced.

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Audi Q3: Size and dimensions

Audi Q3:

Length: 4,484 mm
Width: 1,856 mm
Height: 1,585 mm

VW Tiguan:

Length: 4,539 mm
Width: 1,842 mm
Height: 1,660 mm

The Tiguan gets the edge with its extra length and taller height, offering a slightly more spacious feel inside. The Audi Q3 is a bit more compact, making it easier to manoeuvre in tighter spaces, but still roomy enough for everyday use.

Engine options

Both SUVs share a broadly similar engine and transmission line-up. At the entry point, you’ll find a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with around 150hp, available in both the Audi’s TFSI and Volkswagen’s TSI forms. Next, there are 2.0-litre petrol options in each model, with higher outputs: in the Tiguan, up to about 265hp, and in the Q3, around 245hp in the equivalent petrol form. Both are paired exclusively with automatic gearboxes.

Diesel is part of the lineup, too: both cars offer 150hp diesels and higher-output 2.0-litre diesels. If you’re looking for plug-in hybrid variants, both the Q3 and Tiguan pair a 1.4-1.5 litre petrol engine with an electric motor.

Across the range, you can choose front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive on many of the stronger engines.

Performance

When it comes to performance behind the wheel, both the Audi Q3 and VW Tiguan feel familiar. In normal driving, the Tiguan feels steady and well-balanced on the road. The ride is smooth over uneven surfaces, and the steering and controls don’t demand much effort. Even with the stiffer suspension on sportier Tiguan trims, the emphasis tends more towards comfort and stability.

The Q3 isn’t dramatically quicker on paper than the Tiguan in equivalent engine form. However, it does feel sportier in everyday driving thanks to its firmer setup and slightly sharper responses. That said, neither SUV is a performance car in the traditional sense.

Interior

The Tiguan majors on usability, with a clean dashboard design, good visibility, and lots of small storage areas that make daily driving easier. In the second row, the rear seat is roomy and flexible. There’s generous rear seat space and legroom for adults, even on longer journeys. Combined with sliding and reclining seats, the overall interior space is open and family-friendly.

The Audi feels more design-led, with sharper lines and a more premium presentation up front. Material quality is strong in the areas you touch most, and features like heated front seats on higher trims add a touch of comfort in colder weather. Rear passengers benefit from adjustable seating, though the cabin doesn’t feel quite as airy as the Tiguan’s.

Boot space

The Tiguan’s boot offers 520 litres of space up to the luggage cover in standard models, which can expand to 652 litres if you slide the rear seats forward. If you fold the rear seats down, it gives an impressive 1,650 litres, which is one of the most spacious in its class. Hybrid versions (the Tiguan eHybrid) have a slightly smaller boot of 490 litres due to the battery placement, but the overall flexibility is strong.

The Audi Q3 offers a slightly larger standard boot at 530 litres, and sliding the rear seats forwards expands this to 675 litres. With the rear seats folded down, the Q3 provides up to 1,525 litres. It’s a bit less than the Tiguan’s maximum but still generous for most needs. Hybrid Q3 models reduce space further, down to around 380 litres, so practicality is slightly compromised compared with the conventional versions.

Technology

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard in both models. The Audi Q3 also features the MMI infotainment system with a 10.1-inch screen, which is well-integrated into the dashboard and easy for the driver to reach and use. High-spec Q3 trims add further digital features, including the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, which provides a modern, customisable display of driving and navigation information.

The Tiguan comes with an even larger 15-inch infotainment screen if you choose the Infotainment Package Plus. You can also get touch‑sensitive climate control sliders, a fully digital cockpit display, and optional Harman Kardon premium audio for a richer sound experience.

Safety and driver assistance

Both the Audi Q3 and Volkswagen Tiguan come with strong safety credentials thanks to the shared VW Group platform. On crash safety, both have performed well: the Tiguan carries a recent 5‑star Euro NCAP rating, and although the Q3’s older 5‑star result has technically expired, it’s built on the same safety architecture. Standard protection systems on both include multiple airbags, stability control, and seat‑belt reminders.

Front and rear parking sensors are widely available in both (on many trims, they’re fitted as standard) and can be complemented by a reversing camera. For longer journeys and highway cruising, adaptive cruise control is offered on higher specifications.

Beyond these core aids, optional packages on the Tiguan add blind‑spot monitoring and automated parking assistance. In the Q3, you can access Audi’s suite of assistance systems, including lane‑keeping support and traffic‑jam assist in higher trims.

Running costs and ownership

Now, let’s consider running costs and ownership for the Q3 and Tiguan:

Fuel and energy efficiency

In older Tiguan models, the lighter entry-level petrol engines like the 1.4 TSI returned nearly 50 mpg under the older NEDC tests, and even under WLTP, the later 1.5 TSI manages around 40-45 mpg in the 148 bhp variant. The diesels, such as the 2.0 TDI 148 bhp, exceed 50 mpg.

The Audi Q3’s entry petrol, the 1.5 35 TFSI, also offers sensible economy, with better real‑world figures of around 42 mpg according to WLTP numbers. Diesels, such as the 35 TDI, comfortably sit near 48 mpg.

Plug‑in hybrid options on both models (e.g., Q3 TFSI e and Tiguan eHybrid) offer very low running costs and around 30 miles of electric range, but their efficiency depends heavily on frequent charging and shorter daily trips.

Insurance

The Q3 typically falls into insurance groups from around 18 up to 43, depending on engine size and spec. The Tiguan, meanwhile, spans from about insurance group 11 for base petrol and diesel models up to group 27 for high‑power variants.

Servicing

Servicing costs for Audi and VW brands reflect their position in the market: VW tends to be more mainstream and cheaper to maintain; Audi, as a premium brand, typically costs a bit more.

For example, fixed‑price maintenance deals for an older Tiguan run around modest figures (minor service ~£184, major ~£354). The Audi Q3’s servicing costs, while reasonable for a premium brand, trend higher.

Tax

For most versions, both the Tiguan and Q3 pay a flat annual rate with an additional surcharge if the car costs more than £40,000 new. Diesels with higher CO₂ emissions or higher‑spec trims attract slightly more, but in general, their tax liability is similar across equivalent engines.

Depreciation

Both cars benefit from proven reliability reputations and broad appeal, but the Audi’s premium image generally supports stronger retained values over time.

How Carplus can help with financing the car you want

Choosing between the Audi Q3 and VW Tiguan can feel exciting but also a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to finance. Carplus can help. We provide clear guidance on the full range of finance options.

Our team works with multiple lenders to offer competitive rates and clear terms, so you know exactly what you are signing up for. We also assist with deposit options, credit checks, and monthly instalments. Start your application in minutes!

Who is the Volkswagen Tiguan for?

The Tiguan is a great family SUV. Its boxy shape and higher roofline provide a spacious, airy cabin. The Tiguan feels composed on the road, and it’s easy to live with day to day.

Who is the Audi Q3 for?

The Audi Q3 is aimed at those who want a compact SUV with a touch of premium appeal. It carries the Audi badge, which signals refinement and style, and it offers a cabin that feels modern and high‑tech.

Verdict

The Audi Q3 and Volkswagen Tiguan are both sensible choices that work well in everyday use. They’re comfortable, practical, and built with enough care to feel reassuring over time, especially as used buys. Nothing about them feels flashy for the sake of it, which is part of their appeal. It’s hard to go wrong!