While it is important for a car-buyer to enjoy the exterior and interior design of a possible future vehicle, when looking for a family vehicle, there are a few considerations to take into account. This includes but is not limited to the space, performance and safety features to name a few. In this article, we will be looking at these key areas to find out if Audi produces good cars for families.
Because of the space requirement of families, we will not be looking at coupe or cabriolet models offered by Audi. Instead, we will be focussing our efforts on vehicle segments that are the most popular amongst vehicle buyers with families.
Hatch
The entry-point to Audi's vast product range is the A1 model of which there are seven derivatives. The Audi A1 is quite compact, however, even with its conservative dimensions, offer a decent amount of room. The boot volume is rated at 335-litres, while the cabin provides space for up to five occupants. Parents will be happy to know that the base trim Audi A1 has incorporated ISOfix mounting points on both the outer rear seats and the front passenger seat.
Safety is taken care of by no less than six airbags as well as ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control, stability control and hill-start assist systems. If you require a little more space but want to retain the hatchback body style, the base trim Audi A3 Sportback will offer the same safety features, however, gains an electromechanical parking brake.
The A3 also provide extra room inside the cabin as well as at the rear as the luggage compartment is rated at 380-litres but can expand to1200-litres with the rear bench folded flat.
Sedan
The Audi A3 can also be had in sedan form where the base trim variant offers the same safety and performance levels as its hatch sibling, however, sees the standard luggage space rating increase to 425-litres. The next sedan in Audi's line-up is the A4 model which remains a popular choice in its segment, not only because of its classic styling but for its practicality.
The Audi A4 and A5 Sportback, both built on the same platform, offer occupants no less than six airbags in the event of a collision while the driver is assisted by the ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control and stability control systems. Both the A4 and A5 models measure in excess of 4.7 m in length providing ample legroom for the three rear passengers while retaining large luggage compartments, 460-litres with the A4 and 465-litres with the A5.
This is not where the German automaker's sedan range ends as they also offer the A6 and A7 Sportback models. Once again both of these models share the same platform which results in both measuring a few millimetres short of 5 m in length. This of course results in even more legroom for the rear occupants as well as more luggage space with the A6 offering 530-litres and the A7 535-litres. Owners can expect the same safety features as found in the A4 and A5, however, can optionally specify two additional airbags for a total of eight.
The flagship sedan, however, is the S8 model. Measuring nearly 5.2 m in length and just under 2 m in width, it is no wonder why it is able to offer so much passenger space and luggage space, the latter rated at 505-litres. Owners can expect items such as ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control and stability control systems to feature as standard as well as a head-up display, tyre pressure monitor and no less than eight airbags.
Station wagon
Audi is one of the few automakers to offer station wagons locally, however, these are performance-oriented models. Firm favourites amongst petrol heads in the Audi model range is the RS4 and RS6 Avant vehicles. While the RS4 shares a platform with the A4 and the RS6 with the A6 ranges, both these wagons come fitted with quite aggressive powertrain configurations.
Both models come fitted with ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control and stability control systems while the RS6 is bolstered with hill-start assist. Both also feature six airbags, however, the RS6 can be specified with a total of eight. In terms of luggage space, the RS4 offers 495-litres with the rear seats up, however, gains an additional 1000-litres if the rear bench is folded flat. The RS6 boasts a 565-litres with the rear seats up but will offer 1 680-litres should the rear seats be folded flat.
Crossover
One vehicle segment that has seen tremendous growth over the last few years is crossovers. If you are considering a compact crossover, you might be drawn to the Audi Q2. This model five-seater, even in the base specification, offers good value as it comes fitted as standard with ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, stability control and hill-start assist.
Furthermore, the interior of the Q2 provides good levels of space and is fitted with no less than six airbags and at the rear owners can expect 405-litres of luggage space. Should you require additional space, then the Audi Q3 might be better with its 550-litre boot. The Q3 will also offer more cabin space than the Q2. In terms of safety, the Q3 retains the same safety equipment as the Q2 but adds traction control.
SUV
If customers require more utility and even more space than what a crossover can provide, Audi has no shortage of SUV options. The first option is the popular Q5 range, where customers can choose between more restrained models as well as the more performance-oriented SQ5. But should a customer option the base trim model, they will gain access to safety systems such as ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control, stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system and six airbags.
Similar to the Q3, the Q5 offers a 550-litre boot but should you want more luggage space, the Q7 with its 865-litres might just do the trick. The same safety equipment that features in the Q5 is present in the Q7 and the flagship Q8 SUV. The latter, while a much more stylish option than the Q7, offers less luggage space as it is rated at 605-litres.
Electric
Audi recently unveiled a range of electric models locally with the SUV model known as the e-tron and the sedan as the e-tron GT. The e-tron SUV which is available in standard and Sportback configurations offer ABS brakes with electronic brake assist, traction control, stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system and six airbags. In terms of space, there is ample head and legroom for both front and rear occupants in both models, however, the Sportback provides for slightly less luggage space, 615-litres, than the standard variant which comes with 660-litres.
The Audi e-tron GT is similarly specified with safety equipment, however, gains two more airbags for a total of six. Even with low and sloping roofline, all five occupants are well catered for space. The e-tron GT naturally offer less luggage space than its SUV siblings with 405-litres available at the rear and an additional 85-litres in the "frunk" or front trunk.
Verdict
When examining the Audi range, one quickly comes to the conclusion that the German automaker does indeed make good cars for families. In fact, most of the model ranges in Audi's arsenal offer more than ample space and good levels of safety equipment.
