The C-HR'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 C-HR and the Q3 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

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

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 Toyota C-HR is safer than the Audi Q3:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the C-HR is 2.1% less likely to roll over than the Q3.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight's “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the C-HR the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q3 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2019.

Toyota's powertrain warranty covers the C-HR 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.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the C-HR for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the C-HR's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

The C-HR has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Q3 doesn't offer a CVT.

The C-HR stops shorter than the Q3:

The C-HR's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q3's standard 55 series tires.

The C-HR Limited handles at .82 G's, while the Q3 40 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .79 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the C-HR's turning circle is 4.2 feet tighter than the Q3's (34.2 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Toyota C-HR may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Audi Q3.

The C-HR is 4 inches shorter than the Q3, making the C-HR easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The C-HR has 3.5 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Q3.

The front step up height for the C-HR is 1.5 inches lower than the Q3 (16” vs. 17.5”). The C-HR's rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Q3's (16.5” vs. 18”).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the C-HR 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.

Consumer Reports rated the C-HR's headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Q3's headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Q3 Premium Plus' cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The C-HR Limited's standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Insurance will cost less for the C-HR owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the C-HR will cost $130 less than the Q3 over a five-year period.

The C-HR will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the C-HR will retain 56.66% to 57.4% of its original price after five years, while the Q3 only retains 49.77% to 50.28%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota C-HR will be $12209 to $14855 less than for the Audi Q3.

The Toyota C-HR outsold the Audi Q3 by 14% during the 2021 model year.