2019 Audi A4 Best Buy Review

IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:

The A4 delivers exquisite yet understated looks inside and out, and a refined, athletic driving experience that lives up to the styling. A generous list of standard equipment and competitive prices sweeten the deal.

BUT…

The model lineup isn’t as broad or customizable as some class competitors, and the infotainment system can be tedious to use.

WORTH NOTING:

A high-performance S4 model powered by a 354-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is also available, as is an SUV-flavored wagon version called Allroad; the Allroad sports a raised ride height and rugged-looking body cladding.

WHAT IS IT?

The A4 is Audi’s compact car. It was redesigned for 2017 on a lightweight aluminum-hybrid platform, gaining a bit more interior room and several new technology and safety features in the process. The A4 lineup offers quattro all-wheel drive models powered by a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine; quattro models offer the choice of a 7-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission or a 6-speed manual. An economy-oriented A4 variant uses a more-efficient version of the 2.0 that makes 190 hp and is available solely with front-wheel drive and the 7-speed automated-manual gearbox. Available features include a full-color head-up display system, 19-speaker Bang and Olufson-brand stereo, and a “Virtual Cockpit” all-digital instrument display. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and traffic-jam assist, rear cross-traffic alert, “pre sense city” object and pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition are among the available safety and driver-assistance features.

WHAT’S NEW?

The  A4 line sees a number of minor updates for 2019, such as a shuffling of standard and optional equipment, USB charge ports for rear-seat passengers, and a new rear exhaust system for the sedan.

FUEL ECONOMY

EPA fuel-economy estimates for 2019 were unavailable as of this writing, but we are not expecting any significant changes. The following are 2018 numbers. The A4 quattro is EPA-rated at 24 mpg city/34 highway with the 7-speed transmission and 24/33 with the 6-speed manual. The fuel-saving Ultra model is rated at 27 city /37 highway. In Consumer Guide® testing, an A4 quattro with the 7-speed averaged 24.2 mpg in 55-percent city driving, and an Allroad wagon—which is powered by the same powertrain—averaged 26.2 mpg in 60-percent highway driving.

VALUE IN CLASS

The subtle, sophisticated Audi A4 is one of the best vehicles in its segment. A classy, finely assembled interior; gutsy turbocharged engine; and cool tech features such as a Google Earth graphic navigation display are among its highlights. Both front- and rear-seat space are quite generous for the class, though big and tall folks might find the door apertures themselves a bit stingy. Also, some of our testers had quibbles about the control-knob MMI infotainment system and the over-boosted power steering. Still, if you’re in the market for a premium compact with a sophisticated European feel, it’s hard to do better than the A4.

2019 Audi A4 Best Buy Review

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