Is Premium Plus or Prestige better?

Choosing the right trim level for your next car, especially when considering luxury brands like Audi, can be a daunting task. The Premium Plus and Prestige trims often represent the sweet spot between affordability and features, making them popular choices. This article will delve into a detailed comparison of these two trims, helping you decide which is the better fit for your needs and preferences. Ultimately, the "better" trim depends entirely on your priorities and budget.

Many luxury car buyers find themselves weighing the cost against the benefits of upgrading to a higher trim level. Understanding the specific features and differences between Premium Plus and Prestige is key to making an informed decision.

Detailed Explanations

Exterior:

• Standard LED Headlights (Premium Plus): These provide excellent visibility and energy efficiency compared to traditional halogen bulbs. They offer a modern look and are a standard feature on many vehicles.
• Power Tailgate (Premium Plus): Allows you to open and close the trunk or liftgate with the touch of a button, providing convenience when your hands are full.
• Panoramic Sunroof (Premium Plus): A large sunroof that spans across the front and rear seats, letting in ample natural light and fresh air.
• Matrix-design LED Headlights with Dynamic Turn Signals (Prestige): These advanced headlights offer superior illumination and can adjust their beam pattern to avoid blinding other drivers. The dynamic turn signals provide a more distinctive and modern look.
• Power Soft-Closing Doors (Prestige): Gently pull the doors closed if they are not fully latched, ensuring a secure and quiet closure.
• Head-Up Display (Prestige): Projects key information, such as speed and navigation directions, onto the windshield, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road.
• Dual-Pane Acoustic Glass for Front Side Windows (Prestige): Reduces road noise and enhances the overall cabin quietness for a more comfortable driving experience.

Interior:

• Leather Seating Surfaces (Premium Plus): Provide a luxurious and comfortable seating experience compared to cloth or synthetic materials.
• Heated Front Seats (Premium Plus): Offer added comfort during cold weather by warming the seats.
• Tri-Zone Climate Control (Premium Plus): Allows separate temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers, ensuring everyone's comfort.
• Valcona Leather Seating Surfaces with Diamond Stitching (Prestige): A premium leather option with a distinctive diamond-stitched pattern, offering a more upscale and luxurious feel.
• Ventilated Front Seats with Massage Function (Prestige): Provide cooling and airflow to keep you comfortable in hot weather, and the massage function can help reduce fatigue on long drives.
• Heated Rear Seats (Prestige): Extend the comfort of heated seats to rear passengers.
• Power Rear Sunshades (Prestige): Block out sunlight and provide privacy for rear passengers.

Technology:

• Audi Virtual Cockpit (12.3" display) (Premium Plus): Replaces traditional analog gauges with a customizable digital display that shows important vehicle information, navigation, and other data.
• MMI Navigation Plus with Touch Response (Premium Plus): An advanced infotainment system with a touchscreen display, navigation, voice control, and smartphone integration.
• Audi Connect CARE, PRIME & PLUS services (Premium Plus): Provides a suite of connected services, including emergency assistance, remote vehicle access, Wi-Fi hotspot, and online traffic information.
• Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus with Customizable Views (Prestige): An upgraded version of the virtual cockpit with more customization options and enhanced graphics.
• Head-Up Display (Prestige): Projects key information, such as speed and navigation directions, onto the windshield, allowing you to keep your eyes on the road.
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System (Prestige): A high-end audio system with multiple speakers and advanced sound processing technology, delivering an immersive and crystal-clear listening experience.
• Traffic Sign Recognition (Prestige): Detects and displays traffic signs, such as speed limits and warnings, in the instrument cluster or head-up display.
• Intersection Assist (Prestige): Monitors cross-traffic at intersections and can warn the driver or automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision.

Driver Assistance:

• Audi Pre Sense Basic and Front (Premium Plus): A suite of safety features that can detect potential collisions and prepare the vehicle for impact, such as tightening seatbelts and closing windows.
• Lane Departure Warning (Premium Plus): Alerts the driver if the vehicle starts to drift out of its lane without signaling.
• Parking System Plus (Premium Plus): Uses sensors to detect obstacles around the vehicle and provides audible and visual alerts to assist with parking.
• Adaptive Cruise Assist with Lane Guidance (Prestige): Combines adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist to help the driver maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and stay centered in the lane.
• Audi Pre Sense Rear (Prestige): Monitors the area behind the vehicle and can prepare for a rear-end collision by tightening seatbelts and activating hazard lights.
• Side Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (Prestige): Monitors blind spots and alerts the driver if there is a vehicle in the adjacent lane. Rear cross-traffic alert warns the driver of approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space.
• Top View Camera System (Prestige): Provides a bird's-eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

Comfort & Convenience:

• Keyless Entry (Premium Plus): Allows you to unlock and start the vehicle without using the key fob.
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror (Premium Plus): Automatically dims the rearview mirror to reduce glare from headlights at night.
• Power Adjustable Steering Column (Prestige): Allows you to adjust the height and reach of the steering wheel with the touch of a button.
• Ambient Lighting Plus (Prestige): Provides customizable interior lighting with a variety of colors and brightness levels, creating a more luxurious and personalized atmosphere.
• Parking Assist Plus (Prestige): Can automatically steer the vehicle into a parking space while the driver controls the accelerator and brakes.

Performance:

• Standard Engine and Drivetrain Options (Premium Plus): Typically comes with the standard engine and drivetrain options for the model.
• May Offer Optional Upgraded Engine or Performance Package (Prestige): Some Prestige models may offer an optional upgraded engine or performance package for enhanced performance. It is crucial to check the specific model for availability.
• Adaptive Air Suspension (Depending on Model) (Prestige): Provides a smoother and more comfortable ride by automatically adjusting the suspension settings based on road conditions and driving style.

Price:

• Lower Starting Price (Premium Plus): Generally, the Premium Plus trim offers a lower starting price compared to the Prestige trim.
• Higher Starting Price (Prestige): The Prestige trim typically has a higher starting price due to its added features and technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Premium Plus and Prestige?

The main difference lies in the added luxury, technology, and driver assistance features found in the Prestige trim, such as Matrix LED headlights, ventilated seats, and advanced safety systems.

Is the Prestige trim worth the extra cost?

Whether the Prestige trim is worth the extra cost depends on your individual needs and budget. If you value advanced technology, enhanced comfort, and top-of-the-line features, the Prestige trim may be a worthwhile investment.

Does the Prestige trim offer better performance?

Performance upgrades depend on the specific model. Some Prestige models offer optional engine upgrades or performance packages not available on the Premium Plus.

Are the safety features in the Prestige trim significantly better?

The Prestige trim includes several advanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise assist and side assist with rear cross-traffic alert, which are not available on the Premium Plus, providing a more comprehensive safety suite.

Which trim is better for resale value?

The Prestige trim may hold its value slightly better due to its premium features and desirability, but this can vary depending on market conditions and the specific model.

Can I add some of the Prestige features to the Premium Plus?

Some features may be available as standalone options or within packages for the Premium Plus trim, but many of the exclusive Prestige features cannot be added.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Premium Plus and Prestige trims involves balancing your budget with your desired features. The Premium Plus offers a great value with essential luxury and technology, while the Prestige elevates the experience with advanced features and a more luxurious feel. Consider your priorities carefully to determine which trim best suits your needs.