2025 Acura RDX vs. 2025 Audi Q3 Comparison

Spoiler alert: The 2025 Acura RDX and 2025 Audi Q3 score highly in our latest ranking of the Best Compact Luxury SUVs and Best Subcompact Luxury SUVs. They both have fuel-conscious turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and upscale interiors with adult-friendly degrees of room.  

Both this generation of RDX and Q3 also date back to the 2019 model year, though a steady stream of updates has kept them more than competitive in segments stocked with worthy rivals. 

To sum them up, the RDX emphasizes sporty driving manners and value, while the Q3 serves up a cosseting ride and outstanding onboard tech in a slightly smaller size. 

Want to learn more? Let’s explore some highlights of the Acura RDX and Audi Q3

2025 Acura RDX

The 2025 Acura RDX starts at $46,050, including dealer-to-factory destination charges. Its edgy-looking exterior is handsome without being faddish. And while we’re all for saving money – even when considering a luxury-badged SUV – we think the available Technology package is worth serious consideration. For about $2,500 extra it adds leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and an upgraded audio system. 

Acura RDX Highlights 

Exciting driving manners: The star here is the RDX’s smooth 272-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; it’s highly refined and delivers all the passing power you’ll want. Not to be forgotten, however, is this Acura’s smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD). From behind the wheel, the RDX feels light on its feet (or tires, to be more exact) and is extremely agile.

A luxury value: Acura loads the RDX with desirable features like a powered tailgate and hands-free smartphone connectivity. We’ve already noted that a little more expenditure nets you many goodies via the Technology package. We can’t overlook the many standard driver aids in the Acura RDX, too. These include blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control.

More legroom and cargo room: By this, we mean more second-row legroom and cargo volume than the smaller Audi Q3. You have about 2 inches more stretch-out space in the Acura RDX and 6 cubic feet of additional trunk room behind the split-folding rear seat back.

ELS audio system: This 12-speaker audio system is part of the Technology package and provides excellent sound quality. The upper trims offer a 16-speaker variant with 710 watts of power. In case you’re wondering, ELS stands for Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy-winning sound producer and engineer. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RDX models for sale near you. 

2025 Audi Q3

The 2025 Audi Q3 is Audi’s least expensive SUV, thanks to its asking price of $41,095, including the destination charge. Two trims are available, Premium and Premium Plus, and each is fitted with a 184-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic and AWD. The enthusiast will want to upgrade to this engine’s more potent 228-hp version. It’s noticeably livelier in city and highway driving.

Although this Audi is a bit smaller than the Acura RDX, buyers in the market for a compact luxury SUV may find themselves cross-shopping the two.

Audi Q3 Highlights

Superb tech features: Audi routinely crafts some cutting-edge interior technology that’s easy to operate and looks luxurious. In the Q3, you’ll find an 8.8-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster help impart a modern feel. Worthy upgrades include a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge display known as Virtual Cockpit. This projects a wealth of information, like audio info and navigation commands, directly in front of the driver.

Interior refinement: Like its propensity for cooking up great tech features, Audi also knows how to build a world-class interior. The materials feel robust, and the detailing is outstanding. You won’t find any budget-rate plastics hiding in this SUV. It’s a cut above the cabin in the Acura RDX.

Adaptive cruise control: Added as standard equipment for 2024, adaptive cruise control allows you to set a given speed and let the system maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. It’s ideal for taking some stressors out of long-distance highway drives. 

Smooth ride: Yes, there are luxury SUVs out there with quicker steering reflexes and wilder engines. But we think many car shoppers will love how the Q3 wafts down the road. The suspension leans towards the comfort side of the engineering spectrum, without leaning over heavily onto its sidewalls for those moments when you prefer to hustle around tight corners. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Q3 models for sale near you.

Similarities

They have room for five, reasonable amounts of cargo space, good outward visibility, and the benefit of coming standard with the all-season grip afforded by AWD. We’d also say the Acura RDX and Audi Q3 remain pretty handsome picks among all luxury SUVs, made even better by their city-friendly proportions for zipping through traffic. 

Conclusion

In their respective SUV segments, the Acura RDX and Audi Q3 rank among the best. They are both comfortable to drive and have interiors that are straightforward and nicely put together. The slightly smaller Audi Q3 has a lower base price and feels cushier in how it gets from Point A to Point B. 

With the Acura RDX, you get a little more room inside, not to mention driving dynamics to put a smile on your face. What don’t we like? Well, the base engine in the Audi Q3 is a bit sleepy, and the control-knob interface for the RDX’s infotainment system has a learning curve. 

Would either represent a deal breaker? Absolutely not, so be sure to include each on your small luxury SUV shopping list.