Compare the2023 Audi Q3VS 2023 Porsche Macan

The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Macan doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Macan have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Macan’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q3 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Macan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q3’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Macan doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q3 and the Macan 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q3 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 134 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Macan has not been tested, yet.

There are over 56 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Q3’s warranty.

The Audi Q3’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Macan’s 2.9 turbo V6 engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Macan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Porsche Macan (5). This means the Q3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Macan every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Audi Q3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Macan.

The Q3 stops shorter than the Macan:

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Macan pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Q3’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Macan’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Audi Q3 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Porsche Macan.

The Q3 is 9.5 inches shorter than the Macan, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q3’s rear seats recline. The Macan’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the Macan with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 17.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q3’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Macan doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

If the windows are left open on the Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Macan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q3 has standard extendable sun visors. The Macan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Q3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q3 will cost $2890 to $7010 less than the Macan over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the Macan because it costs $109 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the Macan, including $875 less for a muffler, $218 less for front brake pads, $29 less for fuel injection, $214 less for a fuel pump and $393 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q3 will be $18015 to $32082 less than for the Porsche Macan.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q3 and the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q3 outsold the Porsche Macan by 57% during 2022.