The current Audi model range really does have something for everyone; there is everything from supercars to seven-seater SUVs, and plenty in between. But are any of these cars affordable, or will you be looking at something reaching six figures for a new Audi in 2023? The truth is, while you can easily spend $100,000 on a new Audi, for those of us with tighter budgets, there are some excellent cars out there.
To save you time, I’ve put together my list of the best Audi models currently on sale for less than $50,000. These are all brand new vehicles, with no dealer discounts, that you can order today. There’s something for everyone on this list, so let’s get started.
The Five Best Audi Models For Less Than $50,000
Most importantly, every car on this list is a brand-new Audi, often with optional extras, that you can own for under $50,000.
Want to find out what those cars are?
5. Audi A5 Sportback – $44,600
The first car on our list is the Audi A5 Sportback edition. The Sportback is a four-door version of the standard coupe with a sportier outline than a traditional sedan. It takes our fifth spot over the coupe due to increased practicality and price.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Great looks | The performance isn’t impressive |
| Surprisingly good practicality | Optional extras are expensive |
I’m a huge fan of the four-door coupe style, and like BMW and Mercedes, the design team at Audi has done excellent work here. This looks and feels like a coupe, and from some angles, I think it actually improves the design of the two-door option. You can’t look past the price either; this has to be on our list at $2,000 less than the coupe.
4. Audi TT – $52,200
Wait a second – this list is supposed to cover the best Audi models under $50,000 – so why is the TT here? Before you get to the comments, I wanted to throw in a wildcard entry for our fourth pick. The TT starts from just over $52,000, but it’s so close to our budget that I couldn’t leave it out. So what makes this worthy of our fourth spot?
| The Good | The Bad |
| A lot of fun to drive | Expensive |
| Interior is excellent | You need the TTS version for performance |
| Will turn heads |
The Audi TT doesn’t need an introduction. This has long been the go-to choice for anyone wanting a two-seat performance car, without the budget for a Porsche but wanting something more luxurious than an MX-5 Miata. It’s a classic, and the latest version looks better than ever. Ok, the performance could be a little better, but the cabin is beautifully designed and a fantastic car to drive.
3. Audi Q3 40 TFSI – $39,200
The Q3 takes third place in our list, and for me, it is probably the best value for money Audi right now. This mid-size SUV has all the practicality you need, combined with one of the best interiors in its class. The Q3 is also a car that is perfectly suited to long-distance trips, and one of the more comfortable mid-size SUVs I’ve driven.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Interior is an incredibly high standard | Not as fun to drive as some rivals |
| Cabin space and comfort are both strong here | Expensive optional extras |
| Competitive price |
The Q3 isn’t a perfect vehicle. It lacks the excitement of rivals from BMW and Porsche, and the design won’t be to everyone’s tastes. These issues are fairly minor when you consider the price of the Q3. I’ve chosen the base spec, the 40 TFSI, coming in at $36,400. It’s lacking some options which keeps it from our top two spots, so if you’re after a more advanced SUV for less than $50,000, our next choice might be the answer…
2. Audi Q5 45 TFSI – $46,700
The Q5 just takes our second spot over its smaller cousin. This was a difficult choice for me, but for a budget of $50,000 the Q5 is an objectively better car than the Q3. With the badge upgrade you get increased cabin and storage space, better engine choices, and more technology. There is a cost for that, and once you start adding options that number can go above $60,000, but these aren’t all necessary extras if you’re on a budget.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Plenty of space for long journeys | Options can be expensive |
| Effortlessly comfortable to drive | The exterior design isn’t that exciting |
| Plenty of power | Could be better off-road |
I’ve chosen the mid-tier Q5 45 TFSI spec, as the best of both worlds. Its performance (0-60 in 5.7 seconds) is an upgrade on the base spec Q5, and at just over $45,000 it’s a lot less than the Hybrid Q5. Overall, if you’re in the market for a large SUV, Audi has been hitting some home runs recently with their design and engineering, and the Q5 is one of their very best.
1. Audi S3 – $46,800
This will be controversial. In first place, we have the S3, the upgraded version of Audi’s smaller sedan. So why has this beaten everything else? Simply because this will tick more boxes for more people, than any other car here. It’s small but practical, fantastic to look at, and a ridiculous amount of fun to drive.
Yes, it’s not as practical as a Q3 or a Q5, but the S3 is capable of carrying 4 passengers in comfort. And just look at it. The interior is slightly complicated but still contains quality materials, and the S3 gets some upgrades over the standard A3.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Excellent handling and performance | Over $10,000 more than a standard A3 |
| One of the best designed Audi models | |
| Manages to be compact and practical |
The most important reason this is the top spot is down to the driving. With over 300 bhp this isn’t a slow vehicle, and the compact size of the S3 makes handling incredibly responsive. Daily driving will get you a combined 27 mpg too.
Finally, I couldn’t go without mentioning the design of this car. I’m not a fan of some recent choices Audi has made, but they’ve done wonders here. The S3 doesn’t look too aggressive, but it still keeps a stance that tells you this isn’t a standard A3. For less than $50,000, it’s a car almost everyone should consider.
Summary
There we are – my top five new Audi’s for under $50,000. In summary, we have:
5. Audi A5 Sportback – $44,600
4. Audi TT – $52,200
3. Audi Q3 40 TFSI – $39,200
2. Audi Q5 45 TFSI – $46,700
1. Audi S3 – $46,800
Even though the S3 takes the top spot, I have to admit I’m impressed with all of the cars on this list. The current Audi lineup has its share of hits and misses, but it’s great to see a premium manufacturer still offering some excellent cars at these prices in 2023. It’s also great to see the variety, and I hope within our list, there is the ideal car for you.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to find out more, check out the links below:
The Most Expensive Audi Models
The Best Audi Packages and Options
Audi Black Optic Package Explained
