Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2026 Audi Q3

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RDX offers optional Low Speed Autonomous Emergency Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the RDX and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RDX first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 71 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 6 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (272 vs. 255) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Q3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RDX’s wheelbase is 2.7 inches longer than on the Q3 (108.3 inches vs. 105.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 20 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (104 vs. 84).

The RDX has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 25 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 50 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the RDX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The RDX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Both the RDX and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The RDX Advance also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RDX A-Spec/Advance keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

With standard Natural Language Voice Recognition, the RDX offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Q3 doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to traditional radio, the Acura RDX’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q3.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Acura RDX retains 52.21% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 49.66% resale value of the 2026 Audi Q3 after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the Audi Q3 by 34% during 2025.