Audi is synonymous with sure-footed Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) systems and rally heritage, but it should also register with safety-minded drivers. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says that the marque makes many of the top-scoring midsize and large luxury sedans. According to the IIHS’ top-scoring luxury cars list, Audi is one of the safest luxury automakers with cars like the Audi A4 and A6 allroad.

Are Audis the safest cars?

While Audi’s sedans might not be the safest cars on the market, the marque is one of the safest luxury automakers. After the IIHS’ 2022 testing cycle, seven of Audi’s midsize and large luxury sedans snagged Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the agency. That’s the highest rating a vehicle can earn and requires “Good” scores in every major category of crashworthiness testing. Furthermore, cars must earn top marks in crash avoidance categories like vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. 

Audi’s lineup from the A3 to the A7 earned the required scores to get the Top Safety Pick+ ratings. Pair those safety scores with Quattro AWD, and the Audi lineup features some of the safest luxury options. The only other automaker to score as highly with its midsize and large luxury offerings in IIHS testing is Volvo with its S60 and S90 variations. 

How safe is Audi A4?

Like the Audi A3, the Audi A4 scored a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, unlike the A3, the A4 scores a “Superior” rating in the vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention category. The A3 scored an “Advanced” rating instead, as it couldn’t avoid as many under 25 mph collisions as its larger sibling. Moreover, the A4 got “Good” scores in the seat belts and child restraints category, whereas the A3 got a single “Poor” rating for seat belt reminders. 

Which other midsize sedans make Audi one of the safest luxury automakers?

In addition to the Audi A4 and its smaller sibling, Audi has two other midsize sedans with similar safety credentials. First, the A4 allroad takes the A4 platform and adds raised suspension, standard AWD, and an impact-resistant body. Better yet, the A4 allroad gets identical top safety scores to its non-lifted sedan counterpart. 

Also, the Audi A5 Sportback gets top safety ratings from the IIHS. Moreover, the A5 Sportback gets similar scores as the A4, namely a Top Safety Pick+ with just one “Acceptable” rating in the headlights category pertaining to the Prestige trim. 

How safe is Audi A6?

The Audi A6 is one of the large luxury sedans that makes the automaker one of the safest luxury automakers on the market. Bigger than the A3 and A4, the A6 adds spacious large sedan usability to Audi’s top-scoring lineup. Specifically, the A6 earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for its crashworthiness and crash avoidance credentials. However, just like the A5, the A6 gets a single “Acceptable” rating for one trim in the headlights category. 

Are there other large cars that establish Audi as one of the safest luxury automakers?

In addition to the A6, the A6 allroad and the A7 earned the IIHS’ top safety ratings and contributed to Audi being one of the safest luxury automakers. The A6 allroad, like the A4 allroad, adds clearance and ruggedness to the A6’s platform. Moreover, the A7 brings top safety credentials to a large, practical sedan with a hatchback construction. All of these cars offer AWD and top scores in vehicle safety. 

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