For decades Audi has been a household name in the automotive world. With a focus on high-performance all-wheel-drive cars under their Quattro banner and, more recently, some fantastic SUV models, the German manufacturer has cemented its name alongside the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
Audi has undergone a small evolution in the last 10-15 years, beginning with the R8, a modern icon, proving that Audi could build a successful supercar. The introduction of cars such as the Q8. Finally, Audi has been at the forefront of the luxury electric vehicle sector with their e-tron range.
All of this means that if you have deep pockets, there are plenty of Audi models on sale in 2023 to choose from. So which one is right for you, and how do they compare?
The Ten Most Expensive Audis Right Now
Our list of the most expensive 2023 Audi models covers their entire range, and where we have more than one expensive ‘grade’ of each model, we are only selecting the top-of-the-range version. This means you won’t see the likes of an S7 if we already have an RS7 on the list.
We’ll also tell you their starting MSRP, and the vehicle price if you selected every option – as you can guess, some of these options nearly the cost of a car!
Let’s get started with our 10th-place car…
10. Audi RS3 – $60,900 / $76,695
The RS3 is Audi’s introduction to their RS line of cars, but don’t let this fool you into thinking the RS3 is an entry-level car. The RS3 has a status above most other modern Audi’s for being an almost perfect blend of fun, practicality, and affordability. Put, if you want to have fun, this is value for money and more.
The US market only gets a sedan-style body, which is a downside compared to the European market, where you can choose between a saloon and a hatchback. Both versions are seriously quick, with 0-60 times around 3.6 seconds, thanks to a 400bhp engine and Quattro AWD.
The RS3 is marketed mainly at younger drivers, especially compared to other cars on this list. In a market sector where almost every manufacturer has a performance version of a small sedan, the RS3 is one of the very best you can buy.
9. Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback – $77,800 / $96,740
One of the newer cars on this list, the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, might have an overly complicated name, but it’s been a groundbreaking car for Audi. With a coupe-style body, the Sportback comes with the performance level you would expect from an expensive electric vehicle. With 402 bhp, this SUV will do 0-60 in just 5.4 seconds, even with all those batteries increasing the weight.
It’s not all perfect with the e-tron Sportback. In a market that is becoming more crowded by the month, this car is a lot more expensive than some of its rivals, and it feels like Audi is selling the badge along with the vehicle. I think it’s one of the worst-looking Audi’s right now, especially compared to some cars we’ll see very shortly, but that’s only my opinion.
With more luxury electric SUVs on the market now than ever before, the Q8 e-tron doesn’t do enough to stand out in my mind. It’s a great car, with some incredible tech and luxury features, but in a world with the Tesla Model X, the BMW iX and the Mercedes EQS, it’s hard to justify buying a Q8 e-tron.
8. Audi RS5 – $77,900 / $101,190
Moving up to Audi’s performance coupe, the RS5 doesn’t have quite the cult following that the RS3 enjoys. Even so, in a sector of the market where your main competition is the BMW M4 and the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG, the RS5 can still hold its own, only just though.
Performance isn’t a massive step up from its smaller cousin – you get 444 bhp and 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, slightly slower than the RS3. This will disappoint some owners, and it does feel like Audi has let the RS5 fall behind its rivals.
In defense of the RS5, this generation was released in 2018, so we have to be due a new model very soon. When that next generation of RS5 arrives, we hope we get a machine to rival its German neighbors.
At an incredible $16,000, the Competition package is easily the most expensive option here. It comes loaded with tech and upgrades though, with a higher top speed, ceramic brakes, and Nappa leather seats to name a few.
7. Audi SQ7 – $90,200 / $116,140
The SQ7 is arguably the best SUV Audi currently makes. Based on the Q7 platform, this is a ‘true’ SUV; with seven seats, a luxury interior, and plenty of power. And speaking of power, you get 500 bhp and a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds.
The SQ7 isn’t all about the performance though. For the driver and passengers, it’s an incredibly comfortable vehicle, especially on long road trips. You get the very best of Audi’s superb interior design too. Long story short, there isn’t much to dislike about the SQ7.
The price reflects this – with some options (that I would definitely recommend), you can easily spend over $100,000 on this car. In the modern world of luxury SUVs, that’s still a long way off the likes of Bentley and Aston Martin, but it’s still a lot of money. For most owners, you will need to decide if the extra capacity and power are really worth it.
Amongst the various options and packs, our picks are the Executive pack, and the 22-inch wheels. The former includes Audi’s fully-upgraded ambient lighting and ventilated front seats, for just over $2,00
6. Audi S8 – $120,500 / $150,945
From an electric SUV to Audi’s most luxurious car, the S8 is unlike anything else in Audi’s lineup. The S8 sits alongside the Mercedes Benz S Class and BMW 7 Series as the limousine-style model, a car that’s aimed at passengers more than drivers.
Inside, the S8 has everything you would need and many features that exist to show off. It truly is a luxury vehicle, and the rear seats are some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced in a car. It’s not just a car for relaxing in though; the S8 still packs 563 bhp and will get you to 60mph in under 4 seconds, all in absolute comfort.
Unlike the RS7 (which we’ll see later), I think the S8 price point reflects the market well. After all, if you can afford to be driven around, you can afford an S8. It’s still a pretender to the S Class throne in my eyes, but that is still high praise.
With an executive pack for $4,000 and rear seat upgrades for another $5,900, you can easily upgrade the S8 to a true luxury sedan. You can also add ‘predictive active suspension’ for $6,000, for one of the smoothest-riding cars on the market.
4. Audi RS6 – $125,800 / $156,790
Tied in fourth place, next we have one of the most famous cars in Audi’s lineup – the RS6. This wagon is one of the first cars everyone thinks of when you mention ‘fast Audi’ and the latest generation RS6 lives up to that reputation.
With 591 bhp and 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds, this is the perfect blend of performance and practicality. In an industry where more and more SUVs are appearing, it’s great to see Audi offer an alternative. With AWD the RS6 is capable on almost any surface, and you get the focused driving position that’s simply missing from an SUV.
It’s difficult to compare the RS6 to anything else. The closest comparisons are the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes E Class, but a case exists to compare the RS6 to sport-focused SUVs. When the new BMW M3 Touring is released, this will be an interesting comparison too, but my money would still be on the RS6. Either way, at over $150,000 with options, this is a seriously impressive machine, and the practicality justifies the price tag.
With Carbon Fiber add-ons and a variety of luxury upgrades to the interior, you can spend over $30,000 on extras here. For our money, the best RS6 option is probably the Black Optic pack, which includes a range of exterior mods, to help make this car stand out even more.
4. Audi RSQ8 – $125,800 / $155,945
In joint fourth place is Audi’s flagship SUV, the RSQ8. This is a monster of an SUV, and if you doubt the performance credentials of the RSQ8, it shares a lot of components with the Lamborghini Urus. Stats-wise, the RSQ8 packs 591 bhp and 3.7 seconds from 0-60, which is faster than the SQ7 by half a second.
All that performance comes at a cost, and I’m not just talking about the price. The RSQ8 is comfortable enough, but I would expect more from a $120,000 starting price, and this is definitely not a practical SUV.
For RSQ8 owners, they probably won’t care about things like practicality. This is a performance vehicle, and if you want an SUV capable of making supercar owners nervous, there aren’t many better options for less than $150,000.
With $9,000 for ceramic brakes and $5,000 for an upgraded B&O Soundsystem, you should be prepared to spend way over the starting price if you want the best RSQ8. This might seem like a huge amount to spend on extras, but when you think of this SUV as a ‘budget’ alternative to the Lamborghini Urus, the costs don’t seem too bad.
3. Audi RS7 – $127,800 / $158,790
The RS7 is an exciting but confusing car from Audi. Since it was released, I’ve gone between loving the design and feeling underwhelmed by it. It’s also a car that feels like it’s trying to do too much and ends up being excellent in many areas but never top of its class.
Design-wise, the hatchback-sedan style is one I love. You get that extra practicality, and the side profile is excellent. The interior is also strong, and like the SQ7, the RS7 will convince many owners from interior looks alone.
The downsides come when we look at performance and price. This is a painfully fast car, with 591 bhp and 3.5 seconds 0-60 time. However, you can save over $10,000 and get a BMW M5, with almost the same practicality and nearly half a second quicker to 60 mph. If you’re in the USA, you also have the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing at $25,000 less and the same performance stats. It’s hard to overlook the RS6 too, with the same performance and a lot more practicality.
Overall it feels like Audi is slowly creeping into the Mercedes-Benz price range with the RS7. This is an excellent blend of practicality and performance if you’re looking for an expensive sedan; it just feels like Audi have missed their mark on pricing.
Like the RS6, extras and options include $1,100 for unique paints and over $7,000 for a Carbon package. You can add a variety of luxury and tech options too, from a night vision camera to a 4D B&O sound system.
2. Audi e-tron RS GT – $143,900 / $164,890
We’ve seen the e-tron Sportback on this list already, but the e-tron RS GT is a completely different animal. The RS GT is Audi’s premier electric vehicle and in my opinion, one of the best electric cars on the market. Like the RSQ8 and Lamborghini, the RS GT shares much of its engineering with the Porsche Taycan, another superb electric vehicle.
The e-tron RS GT price tag has a lot to live up to, and in almost every area, it delivers. You get 637 bhp and 612 lb-ft of torque, making this Audi’s most powerful road car ever made. All that power is delivered instantly to get you from 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds. These are supercar numbers; make no mistake. And this is from a four-door family sedan.
The RS GT is an incredible machine, and it’s cemented Audi as one of the front runners in the premium electric vehicle market. At a starting price over $140,000, you’re unlikely to see many of these on the road, but if you’re thinking about a Model S or a Taycan, this is definitely worth a look.
With a $7,100 cost for ceramic brakes, and $6,500 for extra Carbon Fiber, there are plenty of options on the RS model. You can add a panoramic roof for no extra cost though, and upgrade to 21-inch alloys for free too.
1. Audi R8 – $158,600 / $229,890 – $171,000 / $250,495
Here we are – the number one spot. Most of you will have guessed this, as the R8 is probably Audi’s most recognizable car. It’s difficult to explain the impact that the R8 had on the automotive world when it was first released – this car was the ultimate ‘budget’ supercar. Fast forward over a decade, and we have the latest R8 model, which has become more powerful, luxurious, and expensive.
The R8 has flirted with different engines over the years, but the current version settles with a 5.2-liter V10, shared with the Lamborghini Huracan. This generates over 600 bhp and a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds. It’s not outstanding in the supercar world, but the R8 can still hold its own. Price-wise, you are into Porsche 911 Turbo and Aston Martin Vantage territory, and that’s a tough place to be.
Price wise the RWD version starts out under $200,000, but if you want the Quattro option you’re going to need at least $230,000. Optional extras include heapings of carbon fiber, plenty of paint and leather upgrades, and a few tech packages.
The two prices shown above are for the coupe and convertible versions (the R8 Spyder). It’s close, but I think the R8 is still Audi’s best-looking car, and even the interior feels practical in a way that most supercars don’t. This car might have seemed like a gamble when it was first released, but the R8 will go down as one of the best Audi’s of all time.
In terms of options and packs, with $5,000 for upgraded seat materials, and $7,200 for an exterior Carbon Fiber pack, extras don’t come cheap. Still, for a supercar, the options on the R8 are actually surprisingly affordable.
Summary
We’ve reached the end of our list of the most expensive Audi models you can buy. This collection has included everything from a luxury sedan in the S8, to a 600hp electric family sedan, with everything in between.
With the ever-growing focus on electrification, I think it’s only a matter of time before we see most of the cars on this list move to a hybrid powertrain or remove the engine altogether. In 2023 we are living through the last days of seeing V10 supercars like the R8, and although that’s disappointing for many petrolheads, Audi has demonstrated with models like the e-tron RS GT, that there is a bright future ahead.
If you want to find out more about the most expensive models from other brands, we have articles on BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche, alongside many more.
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