10 Controversial Audi Topics Enthusiasts Can't Stop Debating!

Intro

Audi has no shortage of fans. If you are reading this, then you are likely one of them. And that is because Audi has built some of the most iconic vehicles in history. And today they continue to offer some of the best in the world. There is a lot to like. But there is also a lot to argue about. Audi has a long and storied history. And with that comes some opportunities for disagreements and debates. We thought it would be fun to visit some of those debates here. So, what we did was gather up ten of the most debatable Audi topics for you. Have you ever discussed any of these? What side of the argument do you land on? Do you have others that you would add to the list? Let us know.

10. With R8 Gone Audi Has No True Sports Car or Halo Model

The fantastic Audi R8 is dead. And now that it is gone what is the halo Audi model that will get people talking about the brand? The RS e-tron GT? Meh, we don’t really think so. To make matters worse, even the cool TT RS is gone. Audi is left in 2024 without a showstopper of a car. It doesn’t mean they have a bad lineup, and that they don’t still offer some great vehicles. But where is the aspirational model that gets everyone talking?

9. Audi Reliability

Audi vehicles are luxury items, and they are priced accordingly. So, the ticket to entry is high, but that is just the start of it. Once the car is out of warranty you are on the hook for any repairs. And you better stay on top of the scheduled maintenance, or those repairs are going to be more frequent. And Audi has built some models that don’t exactly have a stellar reputation when it comes to reliability. Post warranty maintenance and repairs can be expensive and far more frequent compared to competitors such as Lexus.

8. Audi Depreciation

A new Audi is going to be expensive to buy but it is even more expensive to own because most models have traditionally had poor resale value. According to a recent study completed by iSeeCars three Audi models are among the top fifteen vehicles with the highest 5-year depreciation. The Audi A7 was the worst of the Audi models by losing 57.2 percent or $48,917 worth of value after five years. That is a big hit. But there are two sides to every debate, right? Pretty much all luxury sedans depreciate quickly. For example, the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class didn’t fare much better.

7. Dieselgate

Yes, people do still talk about Dieselgate. The former CEO of Audi pled guilty to charges tied to the company cheating on emissions tests. Diesel Audi vehicles were fitted with software that would turn on emissions controls when the cars were being tested. But these controls would be turned off when the cars were on the road causing them to emit many times the permitted level of nitrogen oxide. It was and still is a massive black eye for the company.

6. Inconsiderate Audi Drivers

This one should be fun. This is a topic that is brought up more by folks who are not Audi fans than those that are. Either way it is a point of discussion. Audi drivers have a reputation for being inconsiderate on the road. The most popular Audi driver activity is tailgating. Now, is this true? Surely as Audi owners and fans you have heard this before. This is not breaking news. If it is true, why is this the case? If it is not true, why did Audi drivers get this reputation?

5. Fancy Volkswagens

It is no secret that Audi is owned by Volkswagen. Volkswagen owns many brands including Porsche and Lamborghini. So, it only makes sense that there will be parts shared across the brands. But some folks will question if an Audi is worth the price premium over a Volkswagen that rides on the same platform. Obviously, there are many differences between a VW and an Audi, even if they do share the same underpinnings. But some folks just can’t see past the fact that some parts are shared, and they feel it dilutes the brand.

4. Lazy Styling

Audi makes good looking vehicles. The problem is that most people can’t tell them apart. Look at the car on this page. Is it an A4, A5, A6, Q3, or a Q5? Having a corporate identity makes sense. But having an entire lineup that is nearly indistinguishable takes things a bit too far. Some people will argue that it is lazy on the part of Audi. And some buyers would be turned off from spending $90,000 on an A8 when a $45,000 A4 looks basically the same from many angles. Should Audi models have a bit more of their own individual style?

3. Audi EV Approach

Audi is going all in on producing all-electric vehicles. The problem is a lot of people don’t want to buy all-electric vehicles. There are news reports almost daily of EVs from many different automakers sitting on dealer lots unsold even with tax breaks and significant discounts. The early EV adopters all have their EVs already. The remaining car shoppers are not convinced yet that they want an EV. It is going to be tough for Audi to sell an all-EV lineup to people who are not interested.  

2. Audi Models Purposely Held Back

As mentioned previously Audi vehicles share parts from other Volkswagen group brands. One example of this is the Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan. These vehicles share the same platform. The Audi is significantly less expensive, but it is also significantly less powerful. The Porsche handles better, it is quicker and faster. Even the SQ5 just doesn’t have the same feel as the Macan. And we all know that it could. But the Audi is held back because they don’t want to step on the toes of the more premium Porsche brand. And just knowing that Audi could be better, but it is not, is a disappointment.

1. Audi Perceived as a Lesser Brand

Ask the average person on the street and they will rank Mercedes-Benz and BMW as being more desirable and prestigious than Audi. That doesn’t mean those other brands are better, but the public perception is that they are. As an Audi fan it is even more frustrating given the fact that in recent years Mercedes-Benz vehicles have had woeful reliability. In a recent Consumer Reports study the only brand less reliable than Mercedes-Benz is Chrysler. But that three-pointed star on the hood still carries a lot of weight. The public perceives Audi as a brand that makes nice cars, but not to the level of its German rivals. It is frustrating and often debated.

Images: Audi