Compare the2022 Chevrolet TraxVS 2022 Audi Q3

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Audi Q3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Audi Q3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Chevrolet Trax is safer than the Q3:

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Trax 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Trax’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Trax’s reliability 47 points higher than the Q3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 89 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet 12th in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

On the EPA test cycle the Trax gets better mileage than the Q3:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Trax uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Trax stops much shorter than the Q3:

The Trax handles at .80 G’s, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Trax LS’ turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Trax LT’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Q3’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Trax has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (6.2 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the Trax to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Chevrolet Trax may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 800 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The Trax is 9 inches shorter than the Q3, making the Trax easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Trax has 8.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (92.8 vs. 84).

The Trax has .8 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the Q3.

The front step up height for the Trax is .7 inches lower than the Q3 (16.8” vs. 17.5”). The Trax’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the Q3’s (16.8” vs. 18”).

The Trax has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (48.4 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The Trax 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Trax 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.

The Trax LT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Trax is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Trax owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Trax will cost $30 to $795 less than the Q3 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Trax is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Trax than the Q3, including $152 less for a water pump, $13 less for front brake pads, $426 less for a starter, $296 less for fuel injection, $443 less for front struts and $267 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Trax will be $8985 to $13038 less than for the Audi Q3.

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Chevrolet Trax, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.

The Chevrolet Trax outsold the Audi Q3 by 84% during the 2021 model year.