Audi Q3 vs Volkswagen Atlas
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Overview
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | S line | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $43,700 | $39,310 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $1,428 (best) | $12,499 |
| Median listing price | $46,583 | $43,721 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $53,898 (best) | $58,289 |
| For sale now | 57 | 267 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 25 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 22 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 16.4 gal | 18.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 255 hp | 269 hp (best) |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 50 cu ft | 96.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Payload | 970 lbs | 1,102 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,935 lbs (best) | 4,317 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 105.6 in | 117.3 in (best) |
| Length | 178.4 in | 200.7 in (best) |
| Width | 73.2 in | 78.3 in (best) |
| Height | 64.1 in | 70.4 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Audi Q3S line | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 (best) | 2 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Audi Q3 | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | S line $43,700 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $39,310 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | — | SE $41,210 MSRP |
| 3 | — | SE w/Technology $43,730 MSRP |
| 4 | — | SE w/Technology $45,630 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Peak Edition $48,060 MSRP |
| 6 | — | SEL $49,620 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL Premium R-Line $54,630 MSRP |
Live inventory
Audi Q357 for sale
See all
Used2025 Audi Q3
S line Premium
white27,048 mi$29,498Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
Certified2023 Audi Q3
Premium
Black Metallic•Beige18,818 mi$31,068Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Audi Q3
Premium Plus S line
Chronos Gray Metallic•black26,530 mi$25,931Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2025 Audi Q3
Premium
gray•black31,524 mi$27,895Nissan of Sumter
Sumter, SC
Used2024 Audi Q3
Premium
Gray Metallic•black28,805 mi$1,428Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2020 Audi Q3
Premium
Black Metallic•black78,527 mi$17,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Volkswagen Atlas267 for sale
See all
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Beige12 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SE w/Technology
Silver Mist Metallic•Titan Black I12 mi$43,014Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Black101 mi$52,983Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Shetland Beige12 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Beige15 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Used2025 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL
21,664 mi$35,114Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Audi Q3 vs Volkswagen Atlas FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Audi Q3 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas starts lower at $39,310. Live Audi Q3 listings start at $1,428. Live Volkswagen Atlas listings start at $12,499.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (39,310).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Audi Q3 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (25).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on horsepower in this comparison (269).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Audi Q3 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Audi Q3 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Audi Q3 (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Atlas (5/5 NHTSA overall).