Audi of America announces full 2021 model year updates

More standard features, most notably the advanced self-driving aids which are now a part of most mid-tier Premium Plus trims. And I don't know if it's just me, but in recent years it feels like Audi has been attempting to consolidate their configuration packages to be more like Lexus rather than forcing you to tick every option like BMW/Mercedes.

Yes I think Audi is coming after Lexus.

I wish Lexus had the ambition of Audi right now. Updating their tech and releasing a new wave of segment-crushing vehicles, regardless of how poorly they sell relative to the competition.

They certainly aren't resting on their laurels. Hard to imagine that they were once considered a fledgling luxury brand compared to Lexus.

Audi I think does it a bit better than Lexus. There are 3 fairly distinct tiers for the Audi models, Prem, Prem Plus, Prestige, with typically just a few options on each.

Looking at the Lexus RX for example, the most popular model here are some of options and packages: And this is just the RX350, doesn't include the F-Sport.

• Premium Package
• Luxury Package
• Navigation Package
• Navigation/Levinson Package
• Cold Weather Package
• Cold Weather Package (when prmium headlamps are selected)
• Towing Prep Package
• Triple Beam Headlamps
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• HUD
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Power Folding Heated Rear Seats and Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor
• Panoramic View Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Heated Front Seats
• Panorama Glass Roof
• Blind Spot Monitors and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (when ordered with Premium or luxury package)
• Blind Spot Monitor with rear cross traffic
• heated wood and leather steering wheel
• 20" Wheels
• Power Moonroof
• Triple Beam LED headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting,

Like..... good grief. How many potential things need to be checked off, and then with this type of variation, the odds that your local dealer has the one you want with the right options, in the color combination that you prefer, in stock or readily available shrinks to nearly 0. Would LOVE for this to be further simplified.

To think back in the day that Audi would outsell Lexus GS and LS was a fantasy.
One thing about Audi is they are very methodical. Constantly delivering updates and new engines even in models that weren’t selling well. Really expanded S/RS models etc.

I think the brand is very favorable for Luxury buyers today which was a 180 compared to the 90s.
The TT and then R8 really put them back on the map. Then the rest of the products spoke for themselves.

Audi's are great if you like over priced service and repairs. They cost the most to service out of any German brand and are overly complex for any work needed. I think they sabotage the cars so they can make all their money in servicing them. The positive reliability on Audi comes from the skewed leasing data. . "Hey I had no problems with my car" of course not when the car is virtually new and has low miles. Let that Audi get up to 60, and 70 Thousand plus miles. .

They also lease like crap, they are the most expensive to lease. Try getting an S4 you'll be looking at close to 800 a' month for what essentially looks like a Jetta. Why would anybody get that over a C43 AMG or 340i that leases much better and perform better.

Audis generally "lease like crap" because they choose not to crazy subvent the lease residuals like Mercedes and BMW typically do. This has kept their sales volumes lower, but would theoretically be more sustainable/profitable for the enterprise as a whole. And if you add in Audi Care scheduled maintenance (covers lease period) I believe they bump up the residual a point, which can help offset quite a bit of that bundled maintenance package in itself.

Not worth it, you can lease an M3 for the price of an S4.

Audi leases have improved depending on the trim package compared to what they used to be.

Their mainstream models - Q5, Q7, A4, A6 lease comparable to BMW / MB models from what i have seen.

Audi leases have improved a lot in the last year or so...

See that Lexus? V8 engines. On the downside Audi is relying a whole lot on their 2.0 4-cylinder.

And if Audi can offer a V8 on a car as low selling as the A8, Lexus can offer one on the LS.

The issue has always been their S and RS models. If you want performance you're going to pay big time.

I don’t think S models are that bad either.

Personally im not a fan of Audi overall.
i test drove new A6 with the V6 turbo engine and looked at SQ5 and Q7 prior to getting X3 M40i. I prefer BMW way more.

I was looking to Lease an S4, I got quotes from 4 dealers here in the Bay Area. Not one would go more than $1000 under MSRP. I was looking at lease prices of $800-$1100 for a 36 Month lease with 12,000 miles. It was pathetic. This was a few years ago.