Is Audi a Luxury Car?
Known for high-performance and advanced technology, these are some of the best luxury cars from Audi.
Written by Pat Roache
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Audi is a German luxury automobile maker focusing heavily on high-end technology and advanced manufacturing techniques.
An Audi is more than just a glorified sports car—these high-performance vehicles deserve every ounce of glory they’re given. A subsidiary of the
Volkswagen
Group with a long and complicated history, Audi’s commitment to technological advancement has resulted in some of the most developed and well-thought-out luxury cars on the market. Whether you’re looking to rev the engine on the Audi R8 or hoping to pack up for a getaway in the family-friendly Q7,
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. More than just a licensed insurance broker
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Is Audi a luxury car?
Audi is absolutely a luxury car manufacturer. This German automaker prides itself on innovative car technology and manufacturing practices. The results are evident in Audi’s performance, driver tech, and certain advancements for models from
its parent company, Volkswagen
.What makes a luxury car?
Audi luxury goes behind leather seats and a high price tag—these vehicles are elevated to luxury car status by the fine materials and advanced technology used throughout the interior and exterior. Look to the attention to detail of the styling, form, and function to see why Audi’s are categorized—and priced—as luxury.
While every Audi model is going to be a little different, here are some of the basic tenets that keep this manufacturer high-end:
- High performance: From sports cars to SUVs, Audi prides itself on powerful engines and its iconic Quattro AWD.
- Advanced technology: Riders benefit from features like Audi MMI infotainment, Bang & Olufsen audio systems, and advanced driver assistance safety tech.
- Riding in style: Audi pairs minimalist interior design with high-end materials, so their rides always look and feel high-class.
- Eye-catching exteriors: Extra-light aluminum or rust-resistant galvanized metal are shaped into stunning exterior curves for both form and function.
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Are Audis good cars?
Is Audi a good luxury brand?
Audi has been a long-standing best-selling luxury car brand for decades, but whether or not it’s good for you will depend on your preferences. Audi receives consistently positive reviews for performance, design, and technological features, although it doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability, ranking 28th out of 32 brands on RepairPal.
If safety and reliability are two of your top priorities, a
Volvo
may suit you better than an Audi. A BMW
can go neck-to-neck with Audi when it comes to performance, but Audi takes the lead on reliability and standard features. And when it comes to interior and driver tech, it's hard to beat the modern innovation of an Audi luxury vehicle.RECOMMENDED
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The best Audi luxury cars
Audi has a wide line-up of luxury coupes, sedans, SUVs, and sportsbacks. A few of the most popular include the A3 sedan, Q7 SUV, and R8 sports coupe.
Audi A3
Starting at $35,995, the 2023
Audi A3
is an entry-luxury offering to rival the likes of the BMW 2-Series and the Acura Integra. With plenty of tech features and a capable turbocharged 2.0-L four-cylinder engine packed into a small, affordable package, the A3 is an undeniably good choice for anyone trying to break into the luxury segment.Standard features include:
- 10.1-inch MMI infotainment touchscreen with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity
- 10.3-inch digital gauge display
- 10-speaker Audi sound system
- Eight-way power-adjustable heated front bucket seats with four-way power lumbar and leather upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Remote keyless entry
- LED headlights
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
The top-tier Premium Plus trim doesn’t even break $40,000. It adds memory settings for the driver seat and mirrors, a passive keyless entry, a wireless phone charging pad, and additional driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Several of these features are optional on the base-level Premium trim as well.
Key Specs | 2023 Audi A3 |
|---|---|
Engine | 201-hp turbocharged 2.0-L four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild hybrid system |
Transmission | Seven-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (standard) OR Quattro All-Wheel Drive (optional) |
0 to 60 | 6.6 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 32 combined/28 city/38 hwy (FWD) or 30 combined/27 city/35 hwy (AWD) |
Audi Q7
The
Audi Q7
offers a fine example of an SUV that combines family-friendly utility with premium substance and flair. A 2023 Q7 with the base “45” turbocharged four-cylinder engine starts at $59,395, and one with the more powerful “55” turbo V6 starts at $64,295.Even a luxury brand can’t escape the common downfalls of a third-row, like snug seating and limited cargo capacity. However, the Q7 makes up for it with certain powertrain configurations that can tow up to 7000 pounds for your next family adventure.
The Q7 includes many of the same standard features as the Audi A3, with the following additions:
- 8.6-inch digital climate control and vehicle setting touchscreen
- Power-controlled folding and reclining 50-50 split third row
- Audi’s Quattro AWD
- Standard forward-collision warning
With three trims to choose from and several packages, the Q7 offers plenty of optional features as well, including:
- Ambient interior lighting package
- 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound stereo system
- Wireless phone charging pad
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- 12-way power adjustable ventilated front seats and heated rear seats
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning
Key Specs | 2023 Audi Q7 |
|---|---|
Engine | 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-L four-cylinder w/ 12-volt mild hybrid system (45) or 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-L V6 w/ 48-volt mild hybrid system (55) |
Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | Quattro AWD |
0 to 60 | 5.0 to 7.0 seconds |
Estimated fuel economy (mpg ) | 22 combined/20 city /25 hwy (45) or 20 combined/18 city/22 hwy (55) |
Audi R8
No luxury car brand is complete without a supercar or two, and the Audi R8 doesn’t disappoint. Just take a look at—or a listen to—its roaring V10, and you’ll understand why this luxury sports coupe is often compared to a Lamborghini.
With a 2022 starting price of $151,895, the R8 is an exemplary masterpiece blending Audi’s values for high-performance, cutting-edge tech, and minimalist design. Audi’s MMI infotainment and instrument paneling are combined into a simple, super-intuitive digital gauge cluster complete with navigation and voice command.
Standard features include:
- Combined digital gauge and MMI infotainment display with navigation and voice command
- 18-way power-adjustable heated seats with pneumatic side and leg bolsters
- Nappa leather upholstery
- 20-inch anthracite-finished wheels
- Automatic LED high beams
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Adaptive suspension
You have plenty of options when it comes to customizing your R8—the first of note being an optional performance enhancement to the standard V10. Interior customizations include a wide array of upholstery colors, patterns, and finishings. Last but not least, you can trade in the hard-top for a convertible Spyder.
Key Specs | 2022 Audi R8 |
|---|---|
Engine | 562-hp (standard) or 602-hp (Performance) turbocharged 5.2-L V10 |
Transmission | Seven-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (standard) or Quattro AWD (Performance) |
0 to 60 | 3.2 to 3.5 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 17 combined/14 city/23 hwy (standard) or 15 combined/13 city/19 hwy (Performance) |
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Audi electric vehicles
Audi introduced its first all-electric model in 2019 with the Audi e-tron, and has since expanded this model name into an expanding line-up of
Audi electric vehicles
. The 2023 Audi e-tron starts at $71,995 for the SUV model and $75,195 for the Sportback model. Both come with plenty of Audi’s standard features, plus four-zone climate control and a panoramic sunroof. The 2023 e-tron is rated for an average of 220 miles on a single charge and can power up from zero to 80% in just 30 minutes on a DC fast charger.
The Audi e-tron GT sends this powertrain into the sports sedan segment, starting at $106,395 for the 2023 model year. This amped-up EV maxes out at 522 horsepower to start, and the top-tier RS e-tron GT gets up to 637-hp with a maximum range of 240 miles. With zero-to-60 times ranging from 2.9 to 3.6 seconds, and a 23-minute fast-charging time, the e-tron GT screams speed.
Last but not least, the e-tron Q4 is a smaller alternative to the standard e-tron SUV with a more approachable price point—$45,095 to start. The powertrain options aren’t nearly as impressive as the original e-tron, but the e-tron Q4 can get further with a maximum driving range of 241 miles. Optional features include a heads-up display and augmented reality projection for navigation and driver-assistance warnings.
How to save on Audi insurance with Jerry
There’s no doubt you’re going to enjoy riding around town in a luxury ride from Audi’s line-up, although you might not enjoy the cost of your luxury
car insurance
. Luckily, we’re experts on both, so now that we’ve talked about our favorite models, let’s talk about the easiest way to save on your monthly premium.Download the
Jerry
app and in less than 45 seconds, Jerry will be analyzing customized quotes from over 55 insurance providers across the country. You get a shortlist of the best offers to pick your new policy from, and our insurance experts will help you switch—all in the app. The average user saves over $800 a year on car insurance.“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. AfterJerryfound me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage!” —Petra S.
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FAQs
Is Audi more luxurious than BMW?
Audi and BMW are both solid proof that German automakers know what they’re doing when it comes to luxury cars. Both harbor unique iconic stylings and approaches to performance, but Audi is often lauded as the slightly better bang for its buck.
Are Audi cars expensive?
It depends on the model you’re buying and your definition of expensive. Certain entry-luxury models like the Audi A3 cost less than $40,000. Some people would consider this expensive, but not when you compare it to the R8’s $150,000+ price tag.
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