Audi
A1 Sportback
Although engine choice is limited in Audi’s smallest car (to various versions of a 1.0-litre petrol unit), it’s still a desirable supermini with a contemporary appearance, decent cabin and that all-important premium badge kudos. The three-cylinder engine is nippy, especially in 110hp guise, while the A1 looks like a little hot hatch if you go for the S line specification grade. It drives well, too, without standing out in any one area.
In truth, the A3 is as likely to vie for buyer attention with its first cousin, the Volkswagen Golf
A3
Updated in 2024, the A3 is a mainstay of the Audi range. Though the changes were relatively subtle, the combined effect is a more modern car all round, just in time to take on a new version of its biggest challenger – the BMW 1 Series. In truth, the A3 is as likely to vie for buyer attention with its first cousin, the Volkswagen Golf. The Audi can be had as a five-door hatch or four-door saloon, with a wide lineup of engines, including satisfying petrol options, efficient diesels, and plug-in hybrids with up to 141km of electric range. That’s before we mention the subtly sporting S models and their more aggressive-looking RS counterparts.
A5
The new Audi A5 is not just tasked with carrying on the job of its predecessor, but also with taking over from the old A4. As a result, the new model is sold in five-door fastback ‘Limousine’ and estate-bodied Avant guises, offering customers a cool look, new technology, and improved efficiency over the A4 before it. Plug-in hybrids will arrive later in 2025 to complete a range that already includes 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, plus a faster 3.0-litre petrol option. Audi has sharpened the cars’ handling, too, in comparison to the old A4, without damaging the comfort and quality that made it so popular in the first place.
A6 e-tron
This one could be a shock to loyal A6 buyers as, after five generations of the executive saloon, Audi has completely reinvented it. It’s not even a saloon anymore, but a five-door Sportback (an Avant estate is also offered). And, as the ‘e-tron’ part of the name suggests, the new A6 is also fully electric. Before you dismiss replacing your TDI of old with it, however, you should know that the sleek new aerodynamics help the A6 e-tron achieve an official range of over 750km. This is one to watch for the future.
A7 Sportback
If you like the cut of the A7’s extravagantly styled jib, get your order in quickly, as an all-new model will replace the car later in 2025. In line with the new Audi naming strategy, the A7 will continue using internal combustion engines – petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid – and it’s also expected to sire an A7 Avant for the first time, replacing the old A6 Avant for those that aren’t ready to go all-electric with the new A6 e-tron. Anyway, for now it remains a big, five-door luxury car with sportier looks than the A6.
A8
Audi’s A8 was always – despite its starring role in various Transporter action films – one of the most subtle luxury saloons on the market and, regardless of a visual makeover in 2022, it’s still an understated way to travel long distances in comfort. Sure, it’s getting on a tad, but that can’t detract from the well-made cabin and smooth engines. The plug-in hybrid makes most sense from a tax point of view, there are long-wheelbase options and, for those who want to live out their Jason Statham fantasies, there’s the 571hp S8 model to consider.
Q2
The Audi Q2 is the company’s smallest Q-badged machine, though it’s more a car than a big SUV, despite its branding and raised ground clearance. Best to think of it as a taller, more spacious alternative to the Audi A1 and you’ll be on the right track, though the Q2 has a wider range of engines, including a couple of diesel options for those that drive longer distances regularly. The lineup doesn’t include any all-wheel-drive option right now, or any kind of hybrid, so it feels limited in appeal, but if you like the look, it’s a decent and understated car.
Q3
Offered in regular SUV and ‘Sportback’ body styles, the Audi Q3 competes with the BMW X1 and X2 models though it’s out of synch with those cars’ lifecycle so the BMWs feel far more modern. Audi will remedy that later in 2025 with an all-new Q3, so use that knowledge to haggle on the outgoing car. There’s still a bit of choice in the lineup and the Q3 is a usefully spacious SUV despite its positioning below the better-known Audi Q5.
Q4 e-tron
To put the Q4 e-tron into perspective, it’s an all-electric SUV based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4. It sits – as the name suggests – between the Audi Q3 and Q5. There are SUV and Sportback body styles to choose from, as in most of Audi’s Q-branded cars, and a selection of power outputs too, including a dual-motor ‘quattro’ powertrain making up to 335hp. Most buyers will be fixated on the range between charges, of course, and the Q4 e-tron officially can manage as high as 549km depending on specification.
Q5
A brand-new Audi Q5 was revealed near the end of 2024, but at the time of writing we’ve not yet had a chance to drive it. It’s based on the same platform as the new Audi A5 so there will be a focus on technology and driving dynamics, and a range of internal combustion engines. At launch we expect mild-hybrid-assisted petrol and diesel options, with plug-in hybrids joining the lineup later on with an electric range of over 80km. The Q5 is the best-selling car in its segment so you can bet on Audi doing a respectable job with this one.
Q6 e-tron
Launched in the middle of 2024, the Q6 e-tron was the first in a whole new generation of Audis and the start of a massive new model onslaught from the brand. The Q6 e-tron is a large, all-electric SUV that shares its underpinnings with the equally new Porsche Macan and it’s an impressive car by any measure. To drive, it’s smooth and refined and it comes with masses of new technology as well. Its range is as high as 656km and there are high-performance and Sportback options to consider as well.
e-tron GT
The e-tron GT looks the same as before, but under the skin it’s all new. An upgraded battery pack gives it more range — the S model officially does 609km and that’s believable — but there’s way more power than before, stretching to a comical 910hp for the RS e-tron performance. The 679hp S version has all the power you could want, and the handling too, thanks to excellent air suspension and communicative steering. This is an EV superstar.
Q7
Audi’s largest SUV soldiers on, ostensibly past its sell-by date, but regular updates have kept the big bruiser fresh, and it appeals to those that like lots of interior space in their car. The only versions of relevance these days – due to the exorbitant pricing of others because of taxation – are the plug-in hybrids, which marry electric-driving capability with plenty of performance. The only downside is that the seven-seat layout can’t be had with hybrid power.
Q8
The Q8 is a bit of an anomaly in the Audi SUV range as its name suggests it’s the biggest model, where in fact it’s not quite as practical as the Q7. Nonetheless, the Q8 is an extravagant car that trades on its image and performance more than its family carrying capabilities. The plug-in hybrid is the most affordable, but there’s also a 600hp RS Q8 for those that must have the best.
Q8 e-tron
Audi is determined to confuse buyers with its naming strategy… Despite its name, the Q8 e-tron is not to be confused with the regular Q8, and it’s not even an electric version of that car. The Q8 e-tron was once simply called the Audi e-tron and is built on a different platform entirely, one that can only take electric power. An update in 2023 improved the Q8 e-tron no end, but the newer Q6 e-tron is more impressive again. There are SUV and Sportback body styles to consider, but they both drive in the same smooth way.