Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2022 Audi Q3

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Q3’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the HR-V 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

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

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the HR-V is 1.1% to 2.9% less likely to roll over than the Q3.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the HR-V 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 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Q3 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

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 HR-V’s reliability 19 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 Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 17th in initial quality. With 76 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 9 places higher in reliability than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the HR-V gets better mileage than the Q3:

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

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Q3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The HR-V EX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Q3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the HR-V has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (6.7 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Q3 (6.9 vs. 5.5 inches).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1000 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The HR-V is 6.2 inches shorter than the Q3, making the HR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L 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 HR-V has 16.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (100.1 vs. 84).

The HR-V has 1.2 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom and 3.2 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The HR-V’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the HR-V 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.

Consumer Reports rated the HR-V’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Q3’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The HR-V 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 HR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the HR-V will cost $435 less than the Q3 over a five-year period.

The HR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the HR-V will retain 53.35% to 56.69% of its original price after five years, while the Q3 only retains 49.77% to 50.28%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the Q3 because it costs $228 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the HR-V than the Q3, including $339 less for a water pump, $37 less for front brake pads, $79 less for a starter, $260 less for fuel injection, $454 less for front struts, $324 less for a timing belt/chain and $489 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $12187 to $12669 less than for the Audi Q3.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Audi Q3 by over three to one during the 2021 model year.