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The 2026 Acura ADX starts at $35,000 against the Audi Q3’s $43,700, weighs 566 pounds less, returns 28 mpg combined against 25, and offers 55.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo space against 49.0. Wireless Apple CarPlay and adaptive cruise control are standard on the ADX and either unavailable or packaged on the Q3.
The Q3 is Audi’s entry SUV and it looks the part — the cabin in particular is well above what the price band usually delivers.
It is also the heaviest, thirstiest and most expensive vehicle in this comparison, by margins that are hard to ignore.
| Specification | 2026 Acura ADX | 2026 Audi Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| Base MSRP | $35,000 | $43,700 |
| Curb weight | 3,369 lb | 3,935 lb |
| EPA combined | 28 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Max cargo volume | 55.1 cu ft | 49.0 cu ft |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Standard | Wired connection only |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Part of an expensive package |
| Powertrain limited warranty | 6 years / 70,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Base-trim figures as published by each manufacturer. EPA estimates vary by configuration.
$8,700 separates the starting prices — the widest gap of any ADX comparison. And the Q3 is 566 pounds heavier, at 3,935 pounds against 3,369.
That weight is why the fuel economy runs the way it does: 28 mpg combined for the ADX against 25 for the Q3. Over 12,000 miles a year that is roughly 50 gallons, every year, for the life of the car.
It is also why the ADX changes direction more willingly. This is the lightest vehicle in its competitive set and it drives like it.
| Specification | ADX | Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| Base MSRP | $35,000 | $43,700 |
| Curb weight | 3,369 lb | 3,935 lb |
| EPA combined | 28 mpg | 25 mpg |
Maximum cargo volume is 55.1 cubic feet in the ADX against 49.0 in the Q3. Six cubic feet does not sound dramatic until you are trying to fit a stroller and a week’s luggage in the same load bay.
| Specification | ADX | Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max cargo volume | 55.1 cu ft | 49.0 cu ft |
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the ADX. The Q3 offers wired connections only — which in 2026 means a cable in the console every single trip.
Adaptive cruise control is standard on the ADX as part of AcuraWatch. On the Q3 it sits inside an expensive package.
Acura also covers the powertrain for 6 years or 70,000 miles against Audi’s 4 years or 50,000.
| Specification | ADX | Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless smartphone mirroring | Standard | Wired only |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard | Expensive package |
| Powertrain limited warranty | 6 years / 70,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
The Q3 interior is the better one. Audi’s materials, panel fit and the Virtual Cockpit display are a genuine step above what this price band normally offers, and if you sit in both back to back you will notice.
quattro all-wheel drive on the Q3 is a proven system with a strong reputation in poor weather.
Audi’s badge carries weight for some buyers, and there is nothing wrong with buying a car partly because you like being seen in it.
On value the ADX is not close — $8,700 cheaper, 566 pounds lighter, three more miles per gallon, six more cubic feet of cargo, wireless phone mirroring and adaptive cruise included.
The Q3 earns its place if the interior is what you are buying, and it is a legitimately lovely cabin.
Drive the ADX first. Most people who do stop thinking of it as the cheaper option.
The ADX starts at $35,000 and the Q3 at $43,700 — a difference of $8,700 before options.
No. The Q3 offers wired smartphone connections only. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 2026 Acura ADX.
The ADX is rated at 28 mpg combined against 25 mpg for the Q3. EPA estimates vary with configuration and driving conditions.
The ADX weighs 3,369 pounds against the Q3’s 3,935 — 566 pounds lighter.
No. It is part of an additional-cost package on the Q3. Adaptive cruise control is standard on every ADX as part of AcuraWatch.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Call 833-857-1325.
Elk Grove Acura, 8585 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757. Sales 833-857-1325. Sales hours Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM, Sunday 10 AM–7 PM.
Specifications, features and pricing are as published by each manufacturer at the time of writing and are subject to change. Competitive figures are drawn from manufacturer-published product information. Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, license, destination and handling, registration and documentary fees, and dealer-installed accessories. Dealers set actual selling prices. Feature availability varies by trim and may change during the model year — confirm equipment on the window sticker of the specific vehicle you are considering. Driver-assistance systems are aids only and do not replace safe driving; see the Owner’s Manual for limitations.