Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2025 Audi Q3

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Envista are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

With its standard Automatic Emergency Braking, the Buick Envista is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q3, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Envista achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi Q3 has not been tested.

Both the Envista 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 Buick Envista is safer than the Q3:

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Envista 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 over 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Envista’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Envista has a standard 760-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 126 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 29th.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Envista uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Envista has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Q3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Envista higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi Q3 (5 to 6). This means the Envista produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q3 every 15,000 miles.

The Envista stops shorter than the Q3:

The Envista has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .82 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Envista Sport Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q3 (27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Envista’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Envista w/18-19” Wheels’ turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (38.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Buick Envista may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 800 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The front grille of the Envista uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Envista 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 Envista has 13.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (97.5 vs. 84).

The Envista has 1.9 inches more front legroom and 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the Q3.

The Envista can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Q3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With an 8% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Envista 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 Envista’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Q3 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Audi Connect CARE can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Envista has standard Pushbutton Start that allows you to start the engine without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

On extremely cold winter days, the Envista’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.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envista third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Q3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Buick Envista outsold the Audi Q3 by 74% during 2024.