Small SUVs · Gasoline · model year 2026
Acura RDX vs Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 edges the Acura RDX by only 2 MPG: 25 against 23 combined in model year 2026.
Side by side
| Measure | Acura RDX | Audi Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| Combined fuel economy (best version) | 23 MPG | 25 MPG |
| City | 21 MPG | 22 MPG |
| Highway | 26 MPG | 29 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $3,550 | $2,700 |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 386 g/mile | 362 g/mile |
| Lowest rated version | 23 MPG | 25 MPG |
| Rated versions | 2 | 1 |
| Rank in class (best combined rating) | 99th of 113 | 84th of 113 |
| Class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
| Powertrain | Gasoline | Gasoline |
Better figure in bold; each model's most efficient version.
Fuel economy and cost
The two use different fuels (premium gasoline and regular gasoline), so the price per unit differs. Under the file's assumptions the Audi Q3 costs about $2,700 a year and the Acura RDX about $3,550, a difference of $850.
Where each one ranks
Within their class the Acura RDX is tied for 99th of 113 small SUVs, in the bottom quarter. The Audi Q3 is tied for 84th of 113 small SUVs, in the bottom quarter.
The Acura RDX has 2 rated versions, from 23 to 23 MPG. The Audi Q3 has 1, from 25 to 25 MPG. For the most efficient versions, the Acura RDX is rated 5 higher on the highway (26 against 21), while the Audi Q3 is rated 7 higher on the highway (29 against 22).
The two versions closest in rating are RDX AWD A-SPEC: 2.0 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (S10), AWD at 23 MPG and Q3: 2.0 L, 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S7), AWD at 25, 2 MPG apart.
Ratings by model year
Both models are in the data for 8 model years, 2019 to 2026. The Acura RDX has the higher best rating in 2 of them and the Audi Q3 in 6. The widest gap, 2 MPG, was in 2026, when the Audi Q3 led.
| Model year | Acura RDX | Audi Q3 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 25 | -2 |
| 2025 | 23 | 25 | -2 |
| 2024 | 23 | 25 | -2 |
| 2023 | 24 | 25 | -1 |
| 2022 | 24 | 26 | -2 |
| 2021 | 24 | 25 | -1 |
| 2020 | 24 | 22 | +2 |
| 2019 | 24 | 22 | +2 |