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.
WORTH NOTING:
A high-performance S4 model powered by a 349-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 front-wheel-drive and “quattro” all-wheel-drive models in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. All are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission. Front-drive models have 188 horsepower, and AWD models have 248 hp. 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?
Official information on U.S.-market 2020 Audi A4s was unavailable as of this writing, but we expect it to receive a new MMI touchscreen infotainment system and an exterior styling refresh that gives the car a crisper, more angular look.
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA fuel-economy estimates for 2020 were unavailable as of this writing, but we are not expecting any significant changes. The following are 2019 numbers. The front-drive A4 is EPA-rated at 27 mpg city/34 highway and the A4 quattro is rated at 23/24. In Consumer Guide® testing, an A4 quattro 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 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.
| BASE PRICE RANGE (2019) | $37,400 – $50,800 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Sedan, 4-Door Wagon |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | Turbocharged 188/248-HP, 2.0-Liter 4-Cyl. |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front or All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | Germany |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE (2019) | 23-34 MPG |
Other Best Buys in this Class
None
