2023 BMW X1 vs. 2023 Audi Q3

When it comes to premium compact SUVs under $40k, the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 top the list. Both are entry-level crossovers that seat five and make the most of their respective brand’s tech and reputation. Both do well in the gas department. Both offer enough cargo and passenger space for a small family of four to find peace. Both look upscale, inside and out.

Based solely on these first impressions, this “X1 vs Q3” comparison may seem like a toss-up to the untrained eye. If you dig into the nitty-gritty, though, it’s clear that just one of these small SUVs deserves a second look.

So, let’s dig in and figure out which one’s the best luxury compact SUV. Read on to see how the 2023 Audi Q3 and 2023 BMW X1 compare.

There Can Be Only (x)1 Ultimate Driving Machine.

If we told you one of these vehicles offered tight steering, championship-grade acceleration, and good fuel efficiency, which crossover would your mind’s eye picture?

Correct. It’s the BMW X1, especially now that it’s fully redesigned with a new TwinTurbo inline-4 engine. With access to the powertrain’s 241 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, the 2023 X1 can accelerate from a dead stop to 60 mph in all of 6.2 seconds.

That beats both of Audi Q3’s engines, which include an entry 184-horsepower 4-cylinder that makes 228 lb-ft of torque as well as an available 221-hp turbo-4 with 251 lb-ft of torque. In its “best” form, the Q3 45 TFSI can hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds.

“If you desire crisp performance from your small SUV, you may want to look elsewhere. The Q3 is light and relatively nimble, but transmission shifts are sometimes harsh. It suffers from some body roll and isn’t very smooth over rough surfaces. Also, the engine can feel burdened when the SUV is loaded with people and cargo. Overall, the Q3’s driving dynamics aren’t up to par with many other vehicles in the Audi lineup.” – Motor Trend

Which SUV is better on gas? On the MPG front, BMW X1 ekes out a win over Audi Q3. Although official EPA estimates have yet to be released for the 2023 BMW X1, we can compare the 2022 model to the 2023 Q3.

The ’22 X1 sDrive28i returns 24 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway, for a combined MPG rating of 27.

The ’23 Q3 nets 23 MPG in the city, 30 on the highway and 26 combined.

“Audi’s second effort with the Q3 leaves some to be desired. Performance is average, and the entry-level lux SUV doesn’t lead in tech or design. The Q3 is thirsty for fuel, too.” – Motor Trend

For all intents and purposes, Audi’s efforts to take on BMW’s “Ultimate Driving Machine” reputation, while admirable, are quickly dashed once you compare the ride quality of both the X1 and Q3. It’s like flying versus crawling – which would you prefer?

So Much Room for Activities!

Compact SUVs like the Q3 and X1 are essentially default family vehicles. Although these vehicles are categorized as “small luxury crossovers,” their spec sheets paint a different picture – one in which the X1 is a giant.

With the 2023 Q3, owners can make use of a 23.7-cubic-foot cargo area, which is good enough for grocery shopping and the like. With the full 40-20-40 split-folding rear seat down, cargo volume increases to 48.0 cubic feet. That’s far less than comparable SUVs in both the luxury and non-luxury segments.

“A sprightly engine and tight reflexes mean the X1 performs like a BMW. It also fits big cabin space within its tidy exterior proportions.” – Motor Trend

The 2023 BMW X1, on the other hand, is absolutely enormous. It offers 25.7 cubic feet of space in the very back and 57.2 cubic feet up to the front row, which is nearly 20% more maximum cargo room than the Q3 provides. That’s the equivalent of approximately 3 large suitcases.

Passengers will feel more comfortable in the BMW X1, as well. Compared to the 2023 Q3, BMW’s entry-level SUV grants noticeably more headroom and legroom throughout the cabin. Taller occupants, rejoice!

Safety is as Safety Does.

Audi may make a mean interior, but in doing so they seem to compromise occupant safety. IIHS testing determined that the Q3 lacked key protective features that safeguard riders, including adequate headlights and seatbelt-reminder systems – both of which earned the worst possible IIHS rating of “Poor.” The NHTSA also took the Q3 down a peg on the list of “safest SUVs” due to its increased rollover risk and recall history. While it’s not the most dangerous SUV in the world, the Audi Q3 is certainly not the safest.

If you’re looking for a buttoned-up small SUV with all the safety fixings, get yourself inside an X1. The previous year’s BMW X1 breezed through IIHS tests, garnering a perfect Crashworthiness grade (“Good”) and superb ratings for crash-avoidance and mitigation. With BMW releasing the 2023 X1 as an all-new, 3rd-generation model, it stands to reason that those IIHS scores will only get better.

The 2023 BMW X1 has an improved suite of safety and driver-assistance systems to ensure that’s the case. Every new X1 comes standard with the latest front-collision warning system with brake intervention, which also includes collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist warning, and automatic braking functionality.

Active Blind Spot Detection is newly standard on all BMW X1 models, and that feature now comes with an all-new “exit warning” system that adds another layer of vehicle and pedestrian safety when the X1 is motionless. That system activates collision warnings when vehicles or cyclists approach the X1 from either side, enabling passengers and drivers to avoid opening doors in dangerous situations. The Audi Q3 does not have a safety feature comparable to BMW’s “Exit Warning.”

Another first-time addition to the X1 lineup is BMW’s camera- and radar-based system, Driver Assistance Professional, or DAP. The goal of DAP is simple: Ensure the ultimate level of comfort and safety on long-distance journeys. This system works with Steering and Lane Control Assistant as well as Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go to both correct steering and maintain speed and following distance automatically. Extended Traffic Jam Assistant encourages hands-free driving at speeds up to 40 mph, too.

True Luxury Does Exist.

Slip through X1’s twin-kidney front grille, weave around its TwinPower Turbo-4, and you’ll find yourself inside one of the most luxuriously equipped premium SUV in history.

Unlike the Q3, the BMW X1 can be had with an available Head-Up Display that projects all essential driving information, like current speed and turn-by-turn directions, right on the windshield. Again, the 2022 Q3 does not offer an available HUD or similar feature.

“All models have Audi’s Virtual Cockpit TFT screen ahead of the driver. Occasionally it’s useful to fill most of this screen with a map, but that does leave you with a nano-sized speedo. A head-up display would compensate as on other Audis, but it’s absent here, even as an option.” – Top Gear

A new Augmented View navigation function has also been added to the X1. Instead of viewing a boring top-down map of your route, you can activate Augmented View to watch a live video stream, from your POV, overlaid with supplementary information to guide you. For instance, when encountering a 5-way intersection, Augmented View will animate a directional arrow toward the correct street on which to turn. It’s a handy GPS feature that will quickly grow on you.

Audi Q3’s touchscreen display, a standard 8.8″ MMI touchscreen, and basic Audi connect navigation features don’t offer the same level of luxury as the X1. Period.

BMW keeps their foot on the pedal by equipping the 2023 X1 with the all-new BMW Curved Display, complete with a new iDrive 8.0 infotainment system. The Curved Display features frameless glass and extends across the dash. It’s comprised of a 10.25″ digital instrument cluster and a 10.7″ touchscreen above the center stack. Everything can be controlled with fingers or voice, thanks to BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The Winner: BMW X1

On paper, the new Audi Q3 and BMW X1 look fairly similar. But we don’t live in a paper world. When you check these two compact SUVs out IRL, the 2023 BMW X1 is simply a superior, more thoughtfully designed vessel for transpo. It offers better performance, comes with cooler (and more useful) tech, and has more cabin space than the Q3 – everything you’re looking for in a good family SUV.

You don’t live in a paper world, right? Visit a BMW dealer near you to see for yourself why we think the 2023 BMW X1, which will go on sale at the end of 2022, is about to become the best small luxury SUV money can buy. Contact Braman BMW at (786) 235-9765 to learn more about or to buy a BMW X1 in Miami.