The Audi Q3, a luxury subcompact SUV, has been a popular choice for drivers seeking a blend of style, performance, and safety. Introduced in 2015, the 2015-2018 models of the Audi Q3 have undergone rigorous testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This detailed analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the Audi Q3’s safety performance in various crash scenarios, headlight effectiveness, and child seat anchor ease of use. For those prioritizing safety when considering an Audi Q3, understanding these ratings is crucial.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end (25%) on the driver’s side strikes a rigid object at 40 mph. This test is particularly demanding as it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the vehicle.
Rating: Good (G)
The 2016 Audi Q3 2.0T Premium Plus 4-door 4wd model achieved a “Good” rating in the small overlap front test, the highest possible score.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Hip/Thigh | G |
| Driver injury measures – Lower Leg/Foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Alt text: Audi Q3 small overlap front crash test in progress, demonstrating vehicle impact.
The crash test results indicated that the structural integrity of the Audi Q3 held up well in this challenging scenario. Key measurements confirm the “Good” rating:
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 10 |
| Footrest | 3 |
| Left toepan | 2 |
| Brake pedal | 2 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 4 |
| Steering column | 1 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 7 |
| Upper dash | 7 |
| Lower instrument panel | 8 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 120 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 17 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.23 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 19 |
| Femur Left (kN) | 2.2 |
| Femur Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement Right (mm) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Left (%) | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk Right (%) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index Left | 0.31 |
| Maximum tibia index Right | 0.48 |
| Tibia axial force Left (kN) | 1.0 |
| Tibia axial force Right (kN) | 0.0 |
| Foot acceleration Left (g) | 33 |
| Foot acceleration Right (g) | 42 |
Alt text: Driver dummy position after Audi Q3 small overlap crash test, showing maintained survival space.
The dummy’s position and the minimal intrusion into the driver’s space demonstrate that the Audi Q3 effectively maintained occupant survival space. Risk of injury to the legs and feet was also assessed as low.
Alt text: Front and side curtain airbag deployment in Audi Q3 small overlap test, providing head protection.
The frontal and side curtain airbags performed as intended, working together to prevent the driver’s head from contacting hard structures or external objects, further contributing to the “Good” rating.
Alt text: Maintained driver space in Audi Q3 after small overlap crash, indicating low leg and foot injury risk.
Overall, the Audi Q3 demonstrated robust protection in the small overlap front crash test, earning top marks for structural design and occupant protection.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front test involves 40% of the vehicle’s front width striking a deformable barrier at 40 mph. This test represents a common type of frontal collision.
Rating: Good (G)
The Audi Q3 again earned a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Chest | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Left | G |
| Driver injury measures – Leg/Foot, Right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
Alt text: Audi Q3 moderate overlap frontal crash test action shot, vehicle impact with barrier.
Similar to the small overlap test, the Audi Q3’s structure and safety systems performed admirably.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 1 |
| Left Footwell | 1 |
| Center Footwell | 1 |
| Right Footwell | 1 |
| Brake pedal | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left | 1 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right | -1 |
| Steering column movement – Upward | -1 |
| Steering column movement – Rearward | -8 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 217 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 9 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Femur force – Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur force – Right (kN) | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement – Left (mm) | 1 |
| Knee displacement – Right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.27 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.26 |
| Tibia axial force – Left (kN) | 1.2 |
| Tibia axial force – Right (kN) | 1.4 |
| Foot acceleration – Left (g) | 49 |
| Foot acceleration – Right (g) | 76 |
Alt text: Post-crash dummy position in Audi Q3 moderate overlap test, demonstrating excellent survival space.
The minimal intrusion into the driver’s space and low injury measures further reinforce the “Good” rating.
Alt text: Audi Q3 side curtain airbag deployment in moderate overlap crash, providing head protection.
The side curtain airbag effectively protected the driver’s head during rebound, and all leg and foot injury measures were low, confirming excellent occupant protection in a moderate frontal impact.
Alt text: Minimal driver space intrusion in Audi Q3 after moderate overlap crash, low leg and foot injuries.
Side Crash Test: Original Test
The side crash test evaluates the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a side impact scenario, where a moving deformable barrier strikes the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Rating: Good (G)
The Audi Q3 achieved a “Good” rating in the side crash test, demonstrating strong side impact protection for both driver and rear passengers.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Driver injury measures – Torso | G |
| Driver injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Head/Neck | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Torso | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures – Pelvis/Leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
Alt text: Audi Q3 side crash test post-impact view, showing vehicle and barrier position.
The Audi Q3’s side structure and airbags provided excellent protection in this demanding test.
Alt text: Audi Q3 side airbag deployment and occupant compartment damage after side crash test.
Technical Measurements – Occupant Compartment Intrusion (Driver Side):
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -14.0 |
Technical Measurements – Driver Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 163 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 37 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.12 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.46 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 3.3 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.1 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.2 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 62 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -13 |
Technical Measurements – Passenger Injury Measures:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 262 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.3 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Lateral deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Shoulder Lateral force (kN) | 1.5 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 32 |
| Torso Average deflection (mm) | 21 |
| Torso Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.62 |
| Torso Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.36 |
| Pelvis Iliac force (kN) | 0.1 |
| Pelvis Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.5 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 2.6 |
| Left femur L-M force (kN) | 0.5 |
| Left femur L-M moment (Nm) | 59 |
| Left femur A-P moment (Nm) | -37 |
Alt text: Driver head protection shown by greasepaint on side airbag in Audi Q3 side crash test.
Alt text: Rear passenger head protection indicated by greasepaint on side airbag in Audi Q3 side crash test.
The greasepaint marks on the side airbags confirm excellent head protection for both front and rear occupants, contributing to the “Good” rating across all injury measures.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The strength-to-weight ratio is calculated by dividing the peak force the roof can withstand before crushing by the vehicle’s weight.
Rating: Good (G)
The Audi Q3 earned a “Good” rating for roof strength, indicating robust protection in rollover scenarios.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,670 |
| Peak force (lbs) | 15,147 |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 4.13 |
This strength-to-weight ratio of 4.13 significantly exceeds the IIHS requirement for a “Good” rating, demonstrating a strong and protective roof structure.
Head Restraints & Seats Test
This test evaluates the geometry and dynamic performance of the front seats and head restraints in preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions.
Rating: Good (G)
The Audi Q3’s power leather seats and head restraints received a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Technical Measurements:
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Backset (mm) | 31 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 18 |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 13.7 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 62 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 0 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 351 |
These measurements indicate effective head restraint geometry and dynamic performance, contributing to a reduced risk of whiplash injuries in rear impacts.
Headlights Evaluation
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. IIHS evaluates headlights based on visibility provided on straightaways and curves, as well as glare for oncoming drivers. The Audi Q3 was tested with two different headlight variations.
Rating: Poor (P) for both Prestige trim (LED projector/reflector) and Premium Plus trim (HID projector)
Both headlight variations available on the 2016-2018 Audi Q3 models received a “Poor” overall rating.
Prestige Trim – LED Projector Low/Reflector High Beams:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | P |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
Premium Plus Trim – HID Projector Low/High Beams:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | P |
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
Low Beam Performance Summary (Both Trims): Visibility was generally fair on the right side of the road on straightaways but inadequate on the left side. Curve visibility was mostly inadequate, particularly on left curves. Glare was not exceeded in any scenario.
High Beam Performance Summary (Both Trims): Visibility was better than low beams but still inadequate on the left side of straightaways and left curves for both trims.
The “Poor” rating indicates that the Audi Q3’s headlights, in both variations tested, do not provide adequate illumination for safe nighttime driving, especially on curves and the left side of the road.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) Evaluation
The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) is evaluated for ease of use. Ratings range from Good+ to Poor.
Rating: Acceptable (A)
The Audi Q3 received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Vehicle trim | 2.0T Premium Plus |
| Seat type | leather |
The Audi Q3 has two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and one additional position with only a tether anchor.
LATCH Ease of Use Details:
- Positions 1 & 3: Lower anchors are rated as easy to access (not too deep in the seat, not too much force needed, easy to maneuver around). Tether anchors are easy to find but other hardware could be confused for anchors.
- Position 2: No lower anchors are available. Tether anchor is easy to find but other hardware could be confusing.
While rated “Acceptable,” the presence of potentially confusing hardware and the lack of lower anchors in the center position slightly detract from the LATCH system’s overall ease of use.
Conclusion: Audi Q3 Safety Performance
The 2015-2018 Audi Q3 demonstrates robust crashworthiness, achieving “Good” ratings in all IIHS crash tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength. It also earned a “Good” rating for head restraints and seats. However, the headlights received a “Poor” rating for both available variations, and the child seat anchors were rated “Acceptable.”
For prospective buyers of an Audi Q3, these safety ratings provide valuable insights. The Q3 excels in crash protection, offering a safe environment for occupants in various collision types. However, the subpar headlight performance is a significant consideration for nighttime driving. While the LATCH system is functional, improvements in anchor clarity and availability could enhance its ease of use. Overall, the Audi Q3 prioritizes occupant safety in crash scenarios but falls short in headlight effectiveness compared to top safety performers.
