Compare the2023 Jaguar E-PaceVS 2023 Audi Q3

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

The E-Pace’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the E-Pace and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

The E-Pace comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Q3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Jaguar pays for scheduled maintenance on the E-Pace for 5 years and 60,000 miles. Jaguar will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jaguar vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Jaguar higher than Audi.

The E-Pace’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (246 vs. 228) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (269 vs. 258) than the Q3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jaguar E-Pace is faster than the Audi Q3:

	E-Pace	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.5 sec

Regenerative brakes improve the E-Pace’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q3 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The E-Pace has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q3 (17.7 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Jaguar E-Pace, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q3.

For better stopping power the E-Pace’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q3:

	E-Pace	Q3
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	13.4 inches

The E-Pace stops shorter than the Q3:

	E-Pace	Q3
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the E-Pace has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3. The E-Pace’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q3.

The E-Pace offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q3’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the E-Pace is 2 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q3.

The E-Pace SE handles at .80 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the E-Pace has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the E-Pace to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The E-Pace is 3.6 inches shorter than the Q3, making the E-Pace easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Jaguar E-Pace amounts to more than styling. The E-Pace has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q3 (.37) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the E-Pace get better fuel mileage.

The E-Pace has .1 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

The E-Pace has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (49.5 vs. 48 cubic feet).

The E-Pace’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q3’s (3968 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the E-Pace uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The E-Pace has a standard 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.

The E-Pace’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The E-Pace offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The E-Pace’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.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the E-Pace to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the E-Pace 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.

When the E-Pace is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the E-Pace and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The E-Pace also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

On extremely cold winter days, the E-Pace’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Jaguar E-Pace has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Q3 Premium Plus offers wireless charging.