2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a design that embraced the era of "postmodern automotive styling." Its massive corporate grille complemented the stout, chunky styling, suggesting utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen. When the interior debuted in 2019, it was a standout, but by 2021, Volkswagen's similar designs had caught up, making the Q3 feel modern and refined, though less unique.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that was once cutting-edge but had become more mainstream. Its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end were now standard in car design. The interior was conservative, focusing on comfort for commutes and road trips. The restrained cabin styling ensured controls were intuitive, minimizing the learning curve for drivers.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q3's performance was lively, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. Despite some turbo lag in the base engine, the Q3 offered nimble handling and a comfortable ride, striking a balance between engagement and refinement.

The 2021 Nissan Murano featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The V6 provided strong low-speed acceleration, though the CVT dulled its power at higher speeds. The Murano prioritized comfort, with refined driving characteristics that absorbed road bumps well, making it ideal for commuting and road trips. However, its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds.

The Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo capacity was subpar. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable seating for up to four adults on a road trip.

The Nissan Murano provided up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 32.1 cubic feet with the seats in use. Although other SUVs offered more cargo space, the Murano excelled in ease-of-use, with a traditional shifter design and a center console full of trays and cubbies. Its focus on two rows of seating ensured generous headroom and legroom, with partially reclining second-row seats.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit offered a customizable digital display.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a sensible menu layout with hard buttons and dials. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available tech features included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

The Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The Nissan Murano offered Nissan Safety Shield 360, with standard reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features included forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Optional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control.