Audi Q3 Ground Clearance: What To Know
2015 Audi Q3 - First Drive by The NRMA — CC BY 2.0
When you’re in the market for a new car, one of the things you may read about in a vehicle’s specs is its ground clearance. Whether you plan to take your new car camping, or just need to know if you can park on your steep driveway, researching ground clearance is an important part of the car buying process.
Ground clearance is an especially important factor when you are buying a luxury SUV like the Audi Q3. Read on to learn what kind of Audi Q3 ground clearance you can expect and why it matters.
What is Ground Clearance?
Ground clearance, also known as ride height, is an important measurement that tells consumers the distance between the lowest point of a vehicle’s body and the ground. As you’ve probably noticed from observing cars on the road, the ride height of an SUV or pickup is very different than that of a sports car.
Ground clearance can also be raised or lowered through modifications such as new tires, a lift kit, or an aftermarket bumper. Anything that affects the shape and form of the vehicle body can change its ride height.
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Why Should I Care About Ground Clearance?
There are a number of reasons why your vehicle’s ground clearance matters.
In general, drivers prefer a car or truck with a high enough ride height to easily clear rocky ground, uneven roads, driveway slopes, and mountainous terrain. While low-lying sports cars look and feel amazing, it can be a bit of an annoyance driving one if you’re bracing yourself at each pothole and speed bump.
When you’re buying a new car, you will want to make sure the ground clearance is high enough to prevent costly scratches and damage from scraping on curbs, driveways, speed bumps, and potholes. This becomes especially important if you are buying a luxury SUV like the Audi Q3. Most luxury car owners understandably want to keep their car in tip-top shape, and they tend to also place a greater value on performance.
Before you make a purchase, you need to know if the ground clearance of your new car fits your life. For example, if you spend a lot of time driving on mountainous roads or you live in a home with a sloped driveway, you will need to buy a vehicle with enough ground clearance to make this a non-issue. Drivers living in areas that see plenty of heavy snow or rain can also benefit from having a higher ride height.
Higher ground clearance also means better road visibility which may or may not be important to you. Or perhaps you care more about handling and stability than visibility, in which case you will want to seek out a vehicle with a lower ground clearance.
In general, the lower the ride height, the less chance a vehicle is likely to roll over in a crash. You will need to weigh all of these factors when making your purchase decision.
Audi Q3 Ground Clearance by Year
Production on the Audi Q3 began in 2011 and continues through today. The Q3 underwent major design overhauls in 2015 and 2018. The Audi Q3 ground clearance was reduced in the 2015 model and beyond.
· 2011-2014 Audi Q3 – 7.3 inches
· 2015-2017 Audi Q3 – 6.7 inches
· 2018-2021 Audi Q3 - 6.7 inches
Audi Q3 Ground Clearance Comparison
The Audi Q3’s vehicle class is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV. Other popular SUVs that compete with the Audi Q3 include the BMW X2 and Infiniti QX50. The ground clearance of similar luxury SUVs in this class varies widely from just over 5 inches to nearly 8 inches of ride heigh. The Audi Q3 has most similar specs to the Lexus NS 300 and the BMW X2.
Below are a few of the Q3’s closest competitors in the compact crossover and subcompact crossover categories with their 2021 ride heights:
· 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class – 5.3 inches
· 2021 Mini Countryman – 6.5 inches
· 2021 Cadillac XT4 - 6.8 inches
· 2021 Lexus NS 300 – 6.9 inches
· 2021 BMW X2 – 7.2 inches
· 2021 Acura RDX – 8.2 inches
· 2021 Volvo XC40 – 8.3 inches
· 2021 Infiniti QX50 – 8.6 inches
· 2021 Jaguar E-PACE – 8.8 inches
When compared to this list, the Audi Q3 rides lower than most other luxury SUVs.
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Audi Q3 Ground Clearance Factors to Consider
The ground clearance of your vehicle can make or break your driving experience.
Although the Audi Q3 has less ground clearance than other luxury SUVs on the comparison list, this is not entirely a bad thing. While luxury SUV owners typically aren’t off-roading, it is still good to know whether or not your new car can handle the occasional mountain road or family camping trip.
On the other hand, the lower the ground clearance is, the better stability and handling a driver can expect. With lower ride height, the Audi Q3 delivers a better ride in these areas, which can be a plus for many drivers.
As long as you don’t plan on doing any serious off-roading you should find the Q3’s ride height to be more than enough for a daily driver. In addition, you can always add a bit more height by installing larger tires or a lift kit.
So are there any activities that the lower ride height of the Audi Q3 would prohibit?
While you shouldn’t have any trouble getting out of parking lots or driveways with a Q3, you may find that this vehicle won’t fit your needs if you plan on embarking on many outdoor adventures.
Although the Q3 does offer more ride height than your average sedan, it does ride lower than most other SUVs, especially when compared to other luxury SUVs. The Audi Q3 would likely not perform well on pitted roads, muddy trails, and rocky paths.
Drivers looking for a vehicle for frequent off-roading trips may want to look elsewhere and consider a similar vehicle in the same class with more ground clearance. Similarly, if you live in an area that floods frequently or sees major snowfall, a higher SUV may be a better purchase decision.
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Final Thoughts
Overall, a vehicle with a mid-range ground clearance like that of the Audi Q3 offers consumers the best of both worlds - enough ride height to easily clear most road conditions while offering better handling and stability than competitors with higher ground clearances.
If you’re looking for a luxury SUV with a moderate ride height, the Audi Q3 ground clearance should be sufficient to serve as your daily driver and even your off-road companion in most situations.
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