Audi vs. Volkswagen
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Audi and Volkswagen contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Audi and Volkswagen cars.
When comparing the Audi brand to the Volkswagen brand, Audi has the advantage in the areas of towing capacity, reliability and variety of models offered. Volkswagen has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, horsepower, fuel efficiency, overall quality, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings.
Audi versus Volkswagen: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Audi versus Volkswagen pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Volkswagen in 10 out of 10 vehicle comparisons. Volkswagen also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 8 out of 8 comparisons. Volkswagen models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 10 out of 10 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Volkswagen, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Volkswagen the overall advantage over Audi.
Audi versus Volkswagen: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Volkswagen vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 5 out of 10 model comparisons, with Audi offering more horsepower in 5 comparisons. Volkswagen offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 6 out of 8 comparisons. Both Audi and Volkswagen vehicles have the same MPG in 2 comparisons. Audi offers a greater towing capacity in 5 out of 5 comparisons.
Audi versus Volkswagen: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Audi versus Volkswagen overall quality ratings shows Volkswagen with higher quality ratings in 4 out of 6 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Audi has the advantage in 4 out of 6 comparisons. Volkswagen has better safety ratings in 1 out of 8 comparisons while Audi has better safety ratings in 1 out of 8 comparisons. Audi and Volkswagen tie for safety in 6 comparisons. Volkswagen shows higher ratings for retained value in 10 out of 10 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings:
Most Reliable Car Rankings:
Best Cars for the Money Rankings:
Available Body Styles: Audi offers 21 SUVs, 3 wagons, 17 sedans, 6 coupes, and 4 convertibles. In comparison, Volkswagen offers 5 SUVs, 3 sedans, and 2 hatchbacks.
Drivetrain Options: Audi offers 34 gasoline vehicles, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 12 electric vehicles. Volkswagen offers 9 gasoline vehicles and 1 electric vehicle.
Audi offers 45 all-wheel-drive models, 2 front-wheel-drive models, and 1 rear-wheel-drive model. Volkswagen offers 7 all-wheel-drive models, 8 front-wheel-drive models, and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Audi Q5
$49,093 - $60,876
Audi SQ5
$65,359 - $76,125
Audi Q7
$65,266 - $77,357
Audi Q7
$65,266 - $77,357
Cars
Audi A3
$38,595 - $46,743
Audi A3
$38,595 - $46,743
Audi A4
$45,370 - $54,500
Audi A4
$45,370 - $54,500
Audi A6
$62,042 - $68,761
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$62,566 - $73,970
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
$30,000 - $40,812
Volkswagen Tiguan
$30,000 - $40,812
Volkswagen Atlas
$39,765 - $55,865
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
$38,615 - $54,400
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
$23,088 - $30,451
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
$29,456 - $35,411
Volkswagen Jetta
$23,088 - $30,451
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
$29,456 - $35,411
Volkswagen Arteon
$41,800 - $52,855
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
$30,000 - $40,812
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Audi Q5
$42,992 - $56,992
Audi SQ5
$57,280 - $73,759
Audi Q7
Not Yet Available
Audi Q7
Not Yet Available
Cars
Audi A3
$33,368 - $44,841
Audi A3
$33,368 - $44,841
Audi A4
$39,992 - $51,860
Audi A4
$39,992 - $51,860
Audi A6
$48,368 - $72,144
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
$49,490 - $69,371
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
$28,946 - $39,417
Volkswagen Tiguan
$28,946 - $39,417
Volkswagen Atlas
$35,911 - $52,902
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
$34,813 - $51,998
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
$21,495 - $29,945
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
$27,200 - $34,269
Volkswagen Jetta
$21,495 - $29,945
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
$27,200 - $34,269
Volkswagen Arteon
$32,038 - $47,489
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
$28,946 - $39,417
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Audi Q5
53.6%
Audi SQ5
52%
Audi Q7
58.5%
Audi Q7
58.5%
Cars
Audi A3
48.3%
Audi A3
48.3%
Audi A4
50.2%
Audi A4
50.2%
Audi A6
57.2%
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
57.7%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
41.3%
Volkswagen Tiguan
41.3%
Volkswagen Atlas
48.2%
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
45.9%
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
36%
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
36.2%
Volkswagen Jetta
36%
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
36.2%
Volkswagen Arteon
43.3%
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
41.3%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Audi Q5
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi SQ5
349 hp / 369 foot-lbs
Audi Q7
261 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Audi Q7
261 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Cars
Audi A3
201 hp / 221 foot-lbs
Audi A3
201 hp / 221 foot-lbs
Audi A4
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi A4
201 hp / 236 foot-lbs
Audi A6
261 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
362 hp / 369 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
184 hp / 221 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Tiguan
184 hp / 221 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Atlas
269 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
269 hp / 273 foot-lbs
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
158 hp / 184 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
228 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Jetta
158 hp / 184 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
228 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Volkswagen Arteon
300 hp / 295 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
184 hp / 221 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Audi Q5
23 / 29 / 26
Audi SQ5
19 / 24 / 21
Audi Q7
20 / 26 / 22
Audi Q7
20 / 26 / 22
Cars
Audi A3
29 / 37 / 32
Audi A3
29 / 37 / 32
Audi A4
26 / 35 / 30
Audi A4
26 / 35 / 30
Audi A6
23 / 33 / 26
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
23 / 29 / 26
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
23 / 30 / 26
Volkswagen Tiguan
23 / 30 / 26
Volkswagen Atlas
20 / 27 / 23
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
20 / 27 / 23
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
29 / 42 / 34
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not Yet Available
Volkswagen Jetta
29 / 42 / 34
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not Yet Available
Volkswagen Arteon
25 / 33 / 28
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
23 / 30 / 26
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Audi Q5
4400 lbs
Audi SQ5
4400 lbs
Audi Q7
7700 lbs
Audi Q7
7700 lbs
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
2000 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
1500 lbs
Volkswagen Tiguan
1500 lbs
Volkswagen Atlas
5000 lbs
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
5000 lbs
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
1500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q5
8.1 / 10
Audi SQ5
6.6 / 10
Audi Q7
8.0 / 10
Audi Q7
8.0 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
8.2 / 10
Audi A3
8.2 / 10
Audi A4
8.5 / 10
Audi A4
8.5 / 10
Audi A6
8.4 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
8.4 / 10
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
8.2 / 10
Volkswagen Tiguan
8.2 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas
7.4 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Not available
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
8.8 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not available
Volkswagen Jetta
8.8 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not available
Volkswagen Arteon
Not available
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
8.2 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q5
8.1 / 10
Audi SQ5
5.9 / 10
Audi Q7
8.1 / 10
Audi Q7
8.1 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
7.1 / 10
Audi A3
7.1 / 10
Audi A4
8.1 / 10
Audi A4
8.1 / 10
Audi A6
8.3 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
8.4 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.4 / 10
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.4 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas
5.7 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Not available
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
8.1 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not available
Volkswagen Jetta
8.1 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Not available
Volkswagen Arteon
Not available
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.4 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q5
9.0 / 10
Audi SQ5
Not available
Audi Q7
9.0 / 10
Audi Q7
9.0 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
10 / 10
Audi A3
10 / 10
Audi A4
10 / 10
Audi A4
10 / 10
Audi A6
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
10 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
9.3 / 10
Volkswagen Tiguan
9.3 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
9.0 / 10
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
10 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
10 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta
10 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
10 / 10
Volkswagen Arteon
Not available
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
9.3 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Audi Q5
7.2 / 10
Audi SQ5
7.3 / 10
Audi Q7
6.9 / 10
Audi Q7
6.9 / 10
Cars
Audi A3
7.5 / 10
Audi A3
7.5 / 10
Audi A4
7.4 / 10
Audi A4
7.4 / 10
Audi A6
6.9 / 10
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5 (Plug-in Hybrid)
6.9 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.9 / 10
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.9 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas
7.5 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
7.6 / 10
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
8.3 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
8.3 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta
8.3 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
8.3 / 10
Volkswagen Arteon
7.8 / 10
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
7.9 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 29 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
Audi SQ5
#12 of 29 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs
Audi Q7
#6 of 20 in
Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
Cars
Audi A3
#9 of 36 in
Best Luxury Small Cars
Audi A4
#6 of 36 in
Best Luxury Small Cars
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5
#1 of 18 in
Best Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
#8 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
#8 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Volkswagen Atlas
#19 of 25 in
Best 7-Seater SUVs
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
#11 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
#11 of 26 in
Best Compact Cars
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
#8 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
Audi SQ5
#9 of 29 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small SUVs
Audi Q7
#7 of 20 in
Most Reliable Luxury Midsize SUVs
Cars
Audi A3
#15 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Audi A4
#6 of 36 in
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Other Comparisons
Audi Q5
#4 of 18 in
Most Reliable Luxury Plug-in Hybrid SUVs (PHEV)
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
#13 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
#13 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Volkswagen Atlas
#20 of 32 in
Most Reliable Midsize SUVs
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
#11 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
#11 of 43 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Other Comparisons
Volkswagen Tiguan
#13 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Audi Q5
#4 of 4 in
Best Luxury Small SUVs for the Money
Cars
Audi A4
#7 of 12 in
Best Luxury Small Cars for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Volkswagen Tiguan
#8 of 21 in
Best SUVs with 3 Rows for the Money
Cars
Volkswagen Jetta
#9 of 13 in
Best Small Cars for the Money