Best Audi Cars Available in NZ: Buying Guide

Audi cars deliver a premium driving experience with their blend of luxury appointments, technology and design. The latter is often regarded as elegant, but with an understated sportiness. On the inside, Audi interiors mix high-quality materials with advanced technology and slick design.

Audi's Quattro AWD system is an advantage for owners in New Zealand, given our changeable climate and driving conditions. 

New Zealand buyers tend toward the S and RS models, which offer a compelling blend of performance, tech, luxury and loaded spec. RS models have more aggressive styling while features like adaptive air suspension, dynamic steering and sport differentials enhance driving dynamics.

Audi’s sold in New Zealand come with a five-year, 150,000km warranty and a three-year service plan covering your maintenance costs.

Like other luxury brands, Audi has a large range in New Zealand from small hatchbacks like the A1 and A3 and larger sedans and wagons like the A4, A6 and A8. But it's the Q range of SUVs that buyers prefer. And here there's a size to suit all from the small Q2 to the compact Q3, the mid-sized Q5 and the big Q7 and Q8. There are various powertrain options too; petrols, diesels plug-in hybrids and pure electrics like the Q4 e-tron. 

We like the A4 because it’s not an SUV, and yet the Avant wagon bodystyle gives it all the practicality you need. There is 495L of boot space, expanding out to 1495 with the seats folded. It has quattro AWD and the A4 can tow up to 1700kg. There's room for four adults in comfort, proving you don't need anything much bigger than this A4 Avant. At 4.7m long and 1.8m wide, it works well in the city.

The S-line 45 is your entry point to A4 ownership at $105,990. It has a 2.0-litre turbopetrol with 180kW and 370Nm running through a seven-speed double clutch transmission. This comes with the S-line sports oriented styling inside and out while features include triple zone AC, smart key, Audi's virtual cockpit and wireless charging. 

It has plenty of ‘assists’ for the driver like lane assist, park assist, adaptive cruise with traffic jam assist and a 360° camera.  The Audi MMI entertainment system comes with navigation and smartphone integration. 

The A4 drives exceptionally well with poise, balance and an abundance of grip thanks to the AWD, while the 2.0-litre’s outputs are more than sufficient. 

But if you want more you can step up to the S4 which is $136,990. This gets you a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 260kW and 500Nm matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This comes with even sportier styling and more honed dynamics including sports suspension with damper control. 

Or you can go the whole hog with the RS 4 at $169,990. It has the ability to hit 100 in just 4.1 seconds thanks to its 331kW/600Nm 2.9 twin turbo V6. Its styling is even more pumped up and dynamics take a further uptick with improved suspension, a sports differential, upgraded brakes and serious amounts of rubber.

View listings on Trade Me Motors: Audi A4

The Audi Q4 e-tron is a compact SUV perfect for those looking to transition to an electric vehicle without giving up luxury or performance. While you can get this electric package as a more affordable Volkswagen or Skoda, they don't have quite the badge cache of the Audi, or the glamorous look.

It’s available in both SUV and Sportback body styles, the latter with a Coupe-like profile which carries a $4K premium. The Q4 kicks off at $99,990 for the 40, which has a single electric motor on the rear axle delivering 150kW and 310Nm. It has a range of 512km. Want something a bit quicker? The 50 is $126,990, gets 220kW from its dual electric motors and can travel up to 479km on a charge. The Q4 has a 76kWh battery and can fast charge at rates of up to 135kW.

It’s just under 4.6m long, so urban friendly, yet there's some 520L of boot space (expanding when the seats drop) and it can tow 1000kg (or 1200kg if you've got the dual motor version).

There’s instant torque from the electric drivetrain lending it quick acceleration coupled with a smooth and responsive drive both in and out of the town. It has a balanced weight distribution which contributes to a reasonably dynamic drive, though it’s not overly sporty.

The MMI touchscreen infotainment system looks the part, is easy to use and offers the usual smartphone integration. Audi's Virtual Cockpit offers a customisable digital instrument cluster.

The interior features sustainable materials (recycled plastics and natural fibres) and offers spacious accommodations in the rear thanks in part to its flat floor. The Q4 e-tron is equipped with the usual driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring.

Read the Q4 e-tron review

View listings on Trade Me Motors: Audi Q4 e-tron

Those seeking a luxurious SUV with advanced technology, impressive design, and versatile capabilities should check out the Q8. Recently renewed, it has a bold and modern design with its coupe-like roofline that helps set it apart.

You can have your Q8 in a few different flavours, the 55 TFSI Quattro starting things off at $164,990 with a V6 petrol engine. At $173,990, there's the 60 e-TFSI, a plug-in hybrid with 48km of electric range and 340kW of total system power. Sportier models include the SQ8 at $211,990 with a 373kW V8. That's enough to send you to 100 km/h in just 4.1 sec. You can add things like active roll stabilisation and a sports differential for a more dynamic drive, although these come as standard on the range topper, the RS Q8. This is even more expensive at $265,990 but along with the RS styling and added specification, you get 441kW of power and a 0-100 time in the threes.