Which is the best Audi model?
Choosing a new Audi can be tricky, but here are the best you should be considering
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Audi has been making road cars since 1921, so it’s safe to say it’s perfected the recipe by now.
From the small A1 up to the largest Q7 SUVs, this brand knows how to design and build a great car.
But which one is best suited to you? In this article, we’re going to take you through some of the highlights from the Audi range, including hatchbacks, saloons, estates, SUVs, electric vehicles (EVs), sports cars and even a supercar.
See our picks for some of the best Audi cars on the market and save money by browsing our range of used Audi models.
Audi A Series
Audi A1
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Aside from being one of the best superminis on the market, the Audi A1 is also one of the best Audis in the brand’s range.
This small Audi is peppy and perfect for city streets and tight parking spaces. With a selection of great engines including a small petrol engine or slightly larger diesel, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider one as your next daily.
The A1 is very comfortable to drive and is available with either a manual or a smoother automatic gearbox. There’s even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on newer models if you would prefer that to Audi’s infotainment system.
Audi A3
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If the A1 is slightly too small for you, then the larger Audi A3 hatchback may be the better option. Available as both a saloon or hatchback, it’s much more versatile and offers more boot space at 425 litres.
In many ways, it’s the same as the A1 – especially inside – but it’s larger and has more rear space for up to three people.
Older models feature a 1.4-litre petrol engine, but if you want something with a bit more punch when accelerating then we’d opt for the turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, or the top-spec S3 and RS3 hot hatch models.
Audi A4
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Moving up the model range, you get to the Audi A4 – a saloon or estate that’s perfect for families and working professionals – making it one of the best Audi models you can buy.
We say this because it’s got plenty of space inside, and the boot measures in at 460 litres for the saloon and 495 litres for the larger estate model. Rear legroom is not compromised either, so passengers can ride around in absolute comfort.
The A4 is available with either a petrol or diesel engine, both of which are great on the longer motorway journeys one may complete while on business trips or family holidays up and down the country.
Audi Q Series
Audi Q2
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The Audi Q2 slots nicely into the range by sitting above the smaller A3 but below the even larger Q3. It acts as a middle ground between the two, offering the height of the SUV but the compact nature of the hatchback.
What makes it a great alternative to a Volkswagen T-Roc or Mazda CX-30 is that it’s got a really premium feel, inside and out – especially the interior, which is something all Audis are known for.
It may look like a sensible small family SUV, but it’s also got that youthful feel about it that puts a smile on your face when driving it.
Audi Q3
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Sitting below the Q5 in Audi’s SUV range, the Q3 is a mid-sized family car that is great at everything. Whether you live in a city or the countryside, we’re confident this is the car for you.
Aside from its versatility, the Q3 also has a large 530-litre boot space that grows up to 1,525 litres when the rear seats are folded flat.
Engine options include a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine in the entry-level front-wheel drive model, and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine if you favour more power and better fuel economy on longer drives.
Audi Q5
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Perched near the top of the brand's SUV model range is the Audi Q5, which is one of the cars responsible for making this body style so popular in the first place.
Sitting below the Q7 in size, the Q5 is an ideal SUV for families who don’t need masses of space but could do with a large 550-litre boot for the occasional longer drive.
Power comes from a range of petrol or diesel engines, with the option of a more efficient plug-in hybrid (PHEV) too. Therefore, we’d recommend the petrol or PHEV as the best Audi to buy if you live in towns and cities, and the larger diesel if you drive further regularly.
Audi supercars and sports cars
Audi TT
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When you think of a sports car, there are normally two that spring to mind: the Porsche Cayman or the Audi TT S.
Ever since its inception in 1998, the Audi TT has been a hit, selling almost 300,000 in the first few years. It offers a sports car driving experience for a reasonable price – and can even be had with a manual gearbox for the helmsman driver among us.
There are also some superb engine options on offer, from the entry-level 197hp 2.0-litre engine to the top-spec 400hp engine found in the much sportier TTRS model.
Audi R8
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In 2007, Audi took the concept of a hardcore supercar and turned it upside-down, making it a comfortable cruiser you could drive every single day but still enjoy on a country road at the weekends.
Powered by either a 4.2-litre V8 or 5.2-litre V10 in the earlier Audi R8s and exclusively the latter in the more recent cars, this thing is not shy on power, producing up to 533hp.
It's also one of the best-looking Audis money can buy, so if you want to look the part there are very few better options than this cut-price Lamborghini Huracan.
Sure, this is the most expensive new car Audi sells, but luckily you can scoop one up on the used car market for a fraction of the cost.
Audi electric cars
Audi e-tron
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Being Audi’s first mass-produced electric car, it didn’t want to get anything wrong, and what it ended up with was spectacular.
With an all-electric range of up to 250 miles and a top speed of almost 125mph, there’s no reason why the Audi e-tron isn’t the ultimate Autobahn car.
But this posh SUV is so much more than a pretty face because the interior is world-class, offering plush leathers, high-end technology, and comfort.
Audi e-tron GT
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If the e-tron above is a little vanilla for your liking, then why not try the beefed-up GT model? This is essentially an electric R8 with a 0-62 mph time of four seconds in its slowest configuration, and we believe this is one of the best sports EVs out there. There is also the top-spec RS e-tron GT model that rivals the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, but that’s insanely fast and more expensive.
This car is perfect for those who really want to show off and have a larger wallet to match the hefty price tag it carries.
Audi Q8 e-tron
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One of the latest arrivals to Audi’s garage is the full-sized Q8 e-tron SUV – the electric version of the popular Q8 model.
At first glance, you wouldn’t think it looks like an EV thanks to its subtle design and the fact it shares many design cues with the existing petrol Q8.
Being an SUV, you’re not short on space either, with a boot measuring up to 569 litres and offering plenty of rear head- and legroom.
This is the best Audi to buy for a spacious electric SUV.
Audi cars: which is best for you?
The Audi you should buy entirely depends on your needs and desires. Either way, you’ll be getting a very reliable and well-built car.
If you’re after a smaller run-around then you’re best off choosing either an Audi A1 or Audi A3, because these two hatchbacks (or saloons) are very practical for their size, have enough power, and look the part too.
However, if you want a larger car with more space for the family or luggage, then the Audi A4 saloon or estate would be perfect. Additionally, there are always the even larger A6 models that are supremely practical.
Let’s say you prefer sitting high up on the road and want to maximise the amount of space in the cabin.
This is where Audi’s SUV range comes into play, which includes the Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7 and Q8.
You’d be hard-pressed to find another quite as good as these for the price because the quality is up there with the best and the levels of practicality are seriously impressive.
If you’ve got no kids or have another car to take them out in, there are only two options left for you: the Audi TT or Audi R8.
If you like thrashing a British B-road at the weekends and showing off to your mates, these are the two best cars for the job – plus, they’re really fast.