​​The Most Reliable Audi Models in the Last 25 Years​

Audi first arrived in the U.S. in 1969 with a model known as the Audi 100. Things started slowly, as the sedan’s front-wheel drive was still relatively rare in this country. Two models that put Audi on the automotive map in the U.S. were the 1983 Audi 5000, a descendant of the 100 mid-size sedan that was overtly aerodynamic two years before the Taurus, and the 1995 A4, a compact sedan with simple, rounded lines that made its competitors seem overwrought in comparison. From that point on, Audi became an acknowledged German luxury brand. If it was not quite on par with the rear-drive BMW and Mercedes sedans, it was close. Audi also took on the role of being a German Subaru, with its innovation and embrace of the Quattro all-wheel drive systems before AWD became commonplace in crossover SUVs. Audi models have long been known for their elegant design and high-quality interiors. 

Though lacking the brand resale pricing of its German rivals, Audi models deliver vehicles that are just as luxurious, if not more so, making them often sought after by luxury shoppers in the used vehicle market. Perhaps because of this, enthusiast site CarBuzz compiled a list of the ten most reliable Audi models available on the used market, choosing a model year range from 2000 to 2021. For their determination of reliability, CarBuzz referenced JD Power’s Quality and Reliability studies and turned to RepairPal. RepairPal analyzes millions of repair orders from over 2,000 auto shops across the U.S., assessing dependability by evaluating repair costs, frequency, and severity. They also examined each model’s severity and number of NHTSA-recorded consumer complaints and recalls for each model. Alderman Automotive shares their findings.  

#10: 2017 Q5 

The Q5 is Audi’s entry into the popular compact crossover segment. The 2017 model stands out for its J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score of 82 out of 100. Its RepairPal Rating is 3.0 / 5.0. The 2017 Q5 seats five and was mostly ordered with AWD. It was powered by a 220-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 or the high-performance QS5 option of a 272-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6. 

#9: 2017 A3 

The A3 certainly brought some class to the sub-compact sedan category. With the same clean, curved styling as its larger sedan siblings, the A3 looks bigger than it is. J.D. Power’s reliability scores are a point above the Q5 at 83/100, while its RepairPal score bumps up to 3.5 / 5.0. It was powered by either a 170-hp 1.8-liter turbo inline-4 or a 220-hp 2.0-liter turbo inline-4, with both engines paired to 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions 

#8: 2016 A6 

The A6 was and is an elegant mid-size luxury sedan that competes with the venerable Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series sedans, among others. You can find them powered by either the 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 tuned to 252 horsepower, or the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 333 horsepower, and there is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0L engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic, while the V6 is connected to a dual-clutch 7-speed automatic. Most models were equipped with Quattro AWD. Its reliability scores are identical to the A3 above: JDP: 83 / 100 and RepairPal: 3.5 / 5.0. 

#7: 2016 A7 

The A7 is essentially an A6 with a sleek fastback roofline and a rear hatch that improves access to a slightly larger cargo area. The powertrains, dashboard, and features are essentially equal to the 2016 A6, and all models had Quattro AWD. The model gets a slightly better JDP score of 85 / 100, though the RepairPal rating drops to 2.0 / 5.0. 

#6: 2015 A5 

For those who don’t need a second set of doors, the A5 is a beautifully designed coupe. Its sleek lines likely led BMW to stop making 2-door sedans in favor of a more coupe-like design. The A5 shares its powertrains and interior design with the A4 sedan. The primary engine is the 220-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The higher-performance S5 model features a 333-hp supercharged V6 and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the even higher-performance RS5 model (which is fairly rare) boasts a 450-hp 4.2-liter V8. The reliability ratings, which likely reflect the 2.0-liter model, are 85 from JDP and 3.0 from RepairPal. 

#5: 2014 A7 

The 2014 A7 4-door fastback had the same sleek body but different front and rear details from the 2016 model above. For this model year, the base engine is a normally aspirated 3.0-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This is connected to the 8-speed automatic and all models had Quattro AWD. The JDP reliability score is 85, and RepairPal rates it at 3.0. 

#4: 2018 A4 

This fifth and current generation A4 is slightly larger, has a few more edges, and exhibits considerably more sophistication than the first A4 that sparked Audi’s rise to prominence in the U.S. It can also be equipped with Audi’s virtual cockpit, which features a configurable digital driver information display that may include the navigation map and instructions. All models are powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, now producing 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. JDP gives it a quality and reliability score of 85, and RepairPal rates it at 3.5 / 5.0. 

#3: 2015 Q3 

In its first and second generations, the A3 was only available as a wagon-shaped 4-door hatchback. By 2015, the A3 became a sedan, while hatchback duties were turned over to the Q3 crossover on the same platform, which debuted in the U.S. that year. Power came from a 200-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, paired with a 6-speed automatic. Both FWD and AWD options were available. The Q3 is one of the most elegant subcompact crossovers you will find. The JDP score is 85, and RepairPal rates it at 3.5. No NHTSA complaints involved the powertrain. CarBuzz notes that this is the best-rated Audi SUV in terms of reliability. 

#2: 2013 A4 

This fourth-generation A4 maintained the model’s reputation as an efficient and upscale compact sedan. All 2013 models were powered by the 2.0-liter engine producing 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the latter being quite a bit for a vehicle this size. While not yet sporting the “Virtual Cockpit”, the dash was well laid out and featured high-grade materials. The model has a J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score of 87 / 100, the highest for an A4. RepairPal gives it 3.5 out of 5.0.  

#1 2010 A6 

Interestingly, the highest-rated Audi on this list is also the oldest. The 2010 A6 is in the middle of the model’s third generation, which featured the first iteration of the single-frame grille that covers both above and below the bumper, similar to all subsequent models. The A6 is always a class act, even if the dashboard looks a bit dated by today’s standards. The model has a JDP score of 89 while RepairPal gives it a 3.5. The base engine is a 3.2-liter V6 that produces 265 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque, connected to a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Optional engines include a 300-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6, which is actually quicker than the available 4.2-liter V8, producing 350 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque.  

Alderman Automotive always tries to keep Audi models among its luxury car offerings, and they are easy enough to find by clicking on “Inventory” at the top of our website and then selecting “Audi” in the “Make” filter. If a desired model doesn’t appear, check again in a day or two because it is the nature of our business that our inventory is always changing.