2025 Audi Q3 vs 2026 Buick Enclave

Audi Q3

$39,800 · Crossover

vs
Buick Enclave

$46,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Audi Q3 bursts onto the scene with German precision, exciting drivers with its nimble handling and premium badge appeal starting at a compelling $39,800 MSRP. Its turbocharged 2.2L engine delivers 228 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, perfectly matched to its compact 176.6-inch frame and standard all-wheel drive, achieving 28 MPG highway. Conversely, the 2026 Buick Enclave is the powerhouse, boasting a substantial 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, though it commands a $6,400 higher entry price of $46,200 and uses front-wheel drive. While both yield 23 combined MPG, the Enclave’s sheer size—207.6 inches long—offers different utility than the Q3’s 23.7 cubic feet of cargo space, making this a clear contest between compact agility and muscular, larger presence.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi Q3

The Audi Q3’s smaller footprint (176.6 inches long) and standard AWD offer superior maneuverability and all-weather confidence for daily city navigation.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Buick Enclave

The 2026 Buick Enclave is significantly larger and offers more presence, making it the inherently more accommodating vehicle for growing families despite slightly less listed cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave offers a massive 100 hp advantage with 328 hp and superior torque at 326 lb-ft, promising a genuinely spirited driving dynamic.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 offers a luxury brand experience with competitive efficiency for $6,400 less than the Buick Enclave.

Choose the Audi Q3 if...

  • You prioritize agile driving dynamics and a premium badge on a budget under $40,000.
  • You need the secure traction of all-wheel drive without the added bulk of a larger SUV.
  • Optimized highway fuel economy is important, as the Q3 delivers 28 MPG highway versus the Enclave's 27 MPG.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

  • Maximum available power is critical, as the Enclave crushes the Q3 with 328 horsepower.
  • You require the commanding road presence and physical dimensions of a larger crossover (207.6 inches long).
  • You desire the strongest torque figure for confident merging and towing needs (326 lb-ft).

Key Dimensions

Dimension Audi Q3 Buick Enclave
Length 176.6" 207.6"
Width 72.8" 79.6"
Height 62.9" 71.0"
Wheelbase 105.5" 120.9"

Features Comparison

Safety
Feature Audi Buick
Blind Spot Monitor ✓ ✓
Lane Departure Warning ✓ ✓
Lane Keeping Assist System ✓ ✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert ✓ ✓
Pre-Collision Safety System ✓ ✓
Post-Collision Safety System ✓ ✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags ✓ ✓
Front Head Airbags ✓ ✓
Rear Head Airbags ✓ ✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation ✓ ✓
Electronic Stability Control ✓ ✓
Traction Control System ✓ ✓
LATCH System ✓ ✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks ✓ ✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) 4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes ✓ ✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes ✓ ✓
Brake Assist ✓ ✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ✓ ✓
Automatic Headlights ✓ ✓
Headlight Delay-Off ✓ ✓
LED Headlights ✓ ✓
Self-Leveling Headlights ✓ —
Daytime Running Lights ✓ ✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors ✓ ✓
Front Headrests 2 2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests ✓ —
Rear Headrests 3 2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests ✓ —
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt ✓ —
Engine Immobilizer ✓ ✓
Third Row Head Airbags — ✓
Brake Preparation System — ✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests — ✓
Rear Folding Headrests — ✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) — ✓
Engine
Feature Audi Buick
Base Engine Displacement 2.0 L 2.5 L
Number of Cylinders inline 4 inline 4
Base Engine Type gas gas
Horsepower 228 hp 328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque 251 lb-ft 326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Number of Valves 16 16
Camshaft Type Double overhead cam (DOHC) Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing Variable Variable
Fuel Injection Type ✓ ✓
Drive Train
Feature Audi Buick
Transmission Type 8-speed shiftable automatic 8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type all wheel drive front wheel drive
Center Differential Type Limited Slip —
Hill Descent Control ✓ —
Fuel
Feature Audi Buick
Fuel Type regular unleaded regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) 20/28 MPG 20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) 23 MPG 23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) 318.0/445.2 mi. 388.0/523.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity 15.9 gal. 19.4 gal.
Comfort & Convenience
Feature Audi Buick
Push Button Start ✓ ✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel ✓ ✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel ✓ —
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel ✓ ✓
Electric Power Steering ✓ ✓
Rear View Camera ✓ ✓
Front Parking Sensors ✓ —
Rear Parking Sensors ✓ ✓
Adaptive Cruise Control ✓ ✓
Front Cupholders ✓ ✓
Rear Cupholders ✓ ✓
Front Door Pockets ✓ ✓
Rear Door Pockets ✓ ✓
Front Seatback Storage ✓ ✓
Leather Steering Wheel ✓ —
Three Zone Climate Control ✓ ✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control ✓ ✓
Interior Air Filtration ✓ ✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors ✓ ✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors ✓ ✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel — ✓
Front View Camera — ✓
Side View Camera — ✓
Wireless Charging Pad — ✓
3rd Row Cupholders — ✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry — ✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel — ✓
Heated Steering Wheel — ✓
Sun Sensor — ✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror — ✓
In Car Entertainment
Feature Audi Buick
Infotainment Display 10.1 in 30.0 in
AM/FM Stereo ✓ ✓
Stereo Power 180W —
Speaker System 10 12
Android Auto (Wired) ✓ —
Apple CarPlay (Wired) ✓ —
USB Port ✓ ✓
USB Port with External Media Control ✓ ✓
Premium Speaker Brand — Bose
Subwoofer Count — 1
Android Auto (Wireless) — ✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless) — ✓
Auxiliary Audio Input — ✓
Satellite Radio — ✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period — 3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control — ✓
Power Feature
Feature Audi Buick
One-Touch Power Windows 4 4
Moonroof Type 1st Row Power Glass Extended —
Remote Keyless Entry ✓ —
Heated Mirrors ✓ ✓
Keyless Entry — ✓
Frontseats
Feature Audi Buick
Front Head Room 39.6 in. 42.6 in.
Front Leg Room 40.0 in. 44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room 56.7 in. 62.2 in.
Seat Material: Leather ✓ —
Front Seat Type: Bucket ✓ ✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments 8-way 8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment ✓ ✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support Power Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments 8-way 6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment ✓ ✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support Power Power
Driver Seat Heating Multi-level Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating Multi-level Multi-level
Front Hip Room — 58.7 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette — ✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments — 2-way
Rearseats
Feature Audi Buick
Rear Head Room 37.6 in. 40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room 36.1 in. 41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room 55.1 in. 62.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback ✓ —
Reclining Rear Seats ✓ ✓
Folding Center Armrest ✓ ✓
Rear Hip Room — 58.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback — ✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat — ✓
Tires and Wheels
Feature Audi Buick
Wheel Material Alloy —
Wheel Diameter 18 in 20 in.
Tire Type All Season All Season
Tire Size 235/55R18 P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type Temporary Temporary
Spare Tire Location Inside Mounted Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish — Painted Alloy
Suspension
Feature Audi Buick
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension ✓ ✓
Front Stabilizer Bar ✓ ✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar ✓ ✓
Warranty
Feature Audi Buick
Basic Warranty 4 yr./ 50000 mi. 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty 4 yr./ 50000 mi. 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty 12 yr./ unlimited mi. 6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance 4 yr./ unlimited mi. 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance — 1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi Q3 and 2026 Buick Enclave.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Buick Enclave than the 2025 Audi Q3?

The Buick Enclave is significantly more potent, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque, which is exactly 100 horsepower more than the Audi Q3’s 228 hp.

Which vehicle offers better overall efficiency?

Both vehicles share an identical 23 MPG combined rating, utilizing regular unleaded fuel. However, the Q3 edges out the Enclave slightly on the highway with 28 MPG versus 27 MPG.

What is the primary benefit of the Audi Q3's smaller dimensions?

The Audi Q3’s shorter length (176.6 inches) compared to the Enclave’s 207.6 inches makes it significantly easier to park and maneuver in tight urban environments.

Why is the Buick Enclave considerably more expensive than the Audi Q3?

The 2026 Enclave commands an MSRP of $46,200, making it $6,400 more expensive than the Q3’s starting price, likely due to its larger size and substantially higher power output.

Does one vehicle come standard with AWD while the other does not?

Yes, the 2025 Audi Q3 comes standard with all-wheel drive, which is advantageous for adverse weather, while the 2026 Buick Enclave utilizes a front-wheel drive configuration.

How close are their cargo capacities?

The vehicles offer very similar storage space: the Q3 provides 23.7 cubic feet, while the larger Enclave offers 22.9 cubic feet, suggesting similar usability for daily loads.

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