What is the best Audi saloon car?
We take a look at the best Audi saloon car options and compare the best bits and things to consider
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Best Audi saloon picks
Audi has a list of models as long as your arm, so if you’re after a stylish saloon for the family or a quick model to zip around town in, the German brand has you covered.
You also benefit from having a desirable badge on the end of your bonnet, not to mention that Audi is owned by Volkswagen, which means you’ll get a quality, reliable product.
Audi A3 Saloon
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The A3 Saloon is the smallest Audi saloon you can buy and is based on the regular A3 hatchback. Under the bonnet, it shares many of its parts with the Skoda Octavia, but it’s packaged as a much more premium offering.
You’ll find a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines, and because it’s lighter than many other saloons, you should spend less time at the pump.
Why should I buy a used Audi A3 saloon?
If you prefer the shape of a saloon but don’t necessarily need a large family car, then why spend more to buy and maintain one of Audi’s larger models? Plus, there are three rear seats in the A3 Saloon if you do find yourself needing to carry passengers.
Audi S3 Saloon
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Hot hatches are aplenty, but sporty saloons are less common, especially when you’re after a smaller model.
The Audi S3 borrows the Volkswagen Golf R’s 2.0-litre petrol engine, though it doesn’t get the full 320hp – ‘just’ 310hp. It’s still good for 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, which is enough to keep up with the best.
Best Audi saloon: is the S3 right for you?
The S3 offers just the right amount of sportiness without being impractical. Audi reckons you could see 35mpg, which is as good as many other petrol-powered, non-performance saloons.
Audi RS 3 Saloon
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If you’ve got your eye on a truly sporty saloon, the RS 3 is your only option for new and nearly-new cars. Audi stopped making the RS 4 Saloon and RS 6 Saloon in 2008 and 2011, respectively.
It uses a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol engine which sounds incredible and is just as potent, with 400hp on tap. It means you can expect 0-62mph in a supercar-rivalling 3.8 seconds.
Best Audi saloon: is it the Audi RS 3?
The RS 3 isn’t for everyone, but if you’re after an incredibly fast saloon without the unbearable running costs of a large V8 engine, then it’s well worth a look.
Audi A4 Saloon
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The Audi 4 the car that many people think of when they think of an Audi saloon, or indeed any saloon – it’s similar in size to a Mercedes C-Class or BMW 3 Series.
Because the latest version has been on sale for several years (with regular tweaks to keep it up-to-date), used models still look fresh and in line with the rest of the Audi range.
Our picks would be the 1.5-litre petrol or the 2.0-litre diesel, which are both reasonably cheap to run but plenty punchy enough.
What makes the Audi A4 saloon the best?
The A4 bridges the gap between the A3 and A6, and makes for a perfectly proportioned saloon for most families. There’s room for five, and the 480-litre boot should be able to handle a lot of luggage, too.
Audi A6 Saloon
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A popular option for company car drivers and those with growing families, the Audi A6 is the largest mainstream saloon model offered by Audi.
You can pick from petrol and diesel engines, a sporty S6 model with a 344hp V6 diesel engine, or a plug-in hybrid model capable of around 40 miles of emission-free motoring.
The boot is only around one suitcase larger than the A4’s, but its larger size becomes apparent when trying to seat three adults abreast on the rear bench. It’s also filled with the latest car tech, including numerous screens in newer models.
What makes the A6 Audi saloon stand out?
While it’s designed to be a sensible saloon, its exterior dimensions and design – particularly its width – give it an imposing look on the roads without making it too large to navigate tight country lanes.
Audi A8 Saloon
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The Audi A8 is primarily designed with businesspeople in mind, and the rear seats are supposed to be the centre of attention, with plenty of adjustment to get comfortable. It's one of the best Audi saloon cars for luxury.
The powerful engines, automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive are designed to make the car effortless rather than outright quick. Like the A6, there are petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models, plus an S8 powered by a 571hp V8 petrol engine.
If you’re after true luxury, look out for an A8 L. The ‘L’ signifies an extended wheelbase, which translates to more rear footroom. There are also regular and long versions of the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class available.
Is the A8 the biggest of the Audi saloon cars?
The A8 is Audi’s flagship, range-topping model. As well as being the largest saloon, it’s also the first to get the latest tech and gadgets, so even decade-old cars can be better equipped than new city cars.