Compare the2025 Audi Q3VS 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid’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 Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Q3 Premium Plus has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Cross Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Q3 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q3 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE offers Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Both the Q3 and the Corolla Cross Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Audi Q3 weighs 472 to 528 pounds more than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Q3	Corolla Cross Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Compression	35 lbs.	61 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	235/363 lbs.	324/279 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	592/372 lbs.

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 Audi Q3 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Q3	Corolla Cross Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	92
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	95 lbs.	129 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	485 lbs.	623 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Corolla Cross Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (228 vs. 196) than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Q3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Q3 has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (15.9 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Q3	Corolla Cross Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Corolla Cross Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the Corolla Cross Hybrid:

	Q3	Corolla Cross Hybrid
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (235/55R18 vs. 215/65R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid (255/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla Cross Hybrid. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade.

The Q3 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q3’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross Hybrid (105.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Q3 has 1 inch more front headroom, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

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

Cargo Capacity

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 21.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The Q3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Corolla Cross Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Q3, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Corolla Cross Hybrid S’ standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Corolla Cross Hybrid SE/XSE’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

The Q3 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XSE.

The Q3’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Cross Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Audi Q3 and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Q3 offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Q3 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE.

Compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, the Audi Q3 eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q3 and the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.