2027 Audi Q3 vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Q3 — it leads our weighted scorecard 4–3 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,400 vs $53,300) and better 5-year value retention (42.8% vs 36.7%). Choose the Q5 if you want the most power (362 hp vs 255 hp).
Scorecard: Q3 4 pts · Q5 3 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Q3 | 2027 Q5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $44,400 | $53,300 | Q3 |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 42.8% | 36.7% | Q3 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 255 hp | 362 hp | Q5 |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 4,400 lb | Q5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 25 cu ft | 27.6 cu ft | Q5 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 8% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 2 | 6 | Q3 |
| Weighted points | 4 | 3 | Q3 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Q3 24 mpg vs Q5 24 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Q5 — 27.6 cu ft vs 25 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Q3 — $44,400 vs $53,300 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Q3 — 42.8% vs 36.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Q5 — 4,400 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Q3 starts at $44,400 and tops out at $44,400; the Q5 runs $53,300 to $67,300 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Q5 buyers paid a median 8% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Q3: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Q3 2, Q5 6.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q3 2021 (solid), 2022 (caution), 2024 (caution) · Q5 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Q3 | 2027 Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $44,400 | $53,300 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $67,300 |
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 268–362 hp |
| Max torque | 273 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24 mpg | 24 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 24.97 cu ft | 27.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Q3 | Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 178.4 in | 185.7 in |
| Width | 73.2 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 64.1 in | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.6 in | 110.9 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Q3 lists for a median $21,454 — 42.8% of today's median new price of $50,088. A 5-year-old (2021) Q5 lists for a median $22,166 — 36.7% of today's median new price of $60,431.
Shop both
- See 6,127 new 2027 Audi Q3s for sale →Median listed price $51,382 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2027 Audi Q5s for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Audi Q3
More on the Audi Q5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Q3 better than the Q5?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Q3 — it leads our weighted scorecard 4–3 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,400 vs $53,300) and better 5-year value retention (42.8% vs 36.7%). Choose the Q5 if you want the most power (362 hp vs 255 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Q3 or the Q5?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Q3 and 6 for the Q5.
Which holds its value better, the Q3 or the Q5?
The Q3: a 5-year-old example lists for 42.8% of the new price, versus 36.7% for the Q5, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Q3 or the Q5?
The Q3 starts lower: $44,400 vs $53,300 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Q3 or the Q5?
It's a wash: 24 mpg vs 24 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Audi Q3 vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/audi-q3-vs-audi-q5, updated November 8, 2026.