Audi A4

Name: 2012 Audi A4
Brand: Audi

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Audi A4 remained highly competitive. In fact, this A4 was nearly everything a compact sports sedan should be. It has a solid, high-quality feel and the interior is exquisite. Agile handling makes it fun to drive and the ride, though quite firm, is supple and controlled. The cabin is quiet unless you ask the turbocharged four-cylinder engine to work hard. Otherwise, it sounds civilized and the seamless eight-speed automatic transmission is terrific. Fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg overall, which is made more impressive, given its popular Quattro all-wheel-drive. For a punchy higher performance A4, you'd have to opt for the supercharged V6 S4.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Audi A4

vs. Similar Cars

Acura TSX

BMW 3 Series

Buick Regal

Infiniti G

Lexus CT 200h

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Poor

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Poor

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

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2007

2008

2009

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2015

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Audi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Poor

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Luxury small cars Ratings

2012 Audi A4

$5,050 - $6,975

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Acura TSX

$7,675 - $9,075

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Audi A3

$5,700 - $7,575

EPA MPG 27 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 BMW 3 Series

$6,575 - $13,575

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Buick Regal

$4,625 - $5,250

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Buick Verano

$4,450

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Infiniti G

$5,925 - $6,975

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus CT 200h

$7,975 - $8,425

EPA MPG 42 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus HS Hybrid

$9,350 - $10,375

EPA MPG 35 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Lexus IS

$9,750 - $22,125

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

$5,000 - $15,375

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mini Cooper Clubman

$ NA

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Saab 9-3

$ NA

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volvo S60

$4,875 - $10,150

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

wagon

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (211 hp)
3-liter V6 supercharged (333 hp)

7-speed sequential
8-speed automatic
CVT
6-speed manual

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Model History

2017-Present

Current Generation

The A4 is among our highest-ranking sports sedan, thanks in part to its satisfying driving experience. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, mated to a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The engine is smooth and punchy, and the transmission is slick. We got a commendable 27 mpg overall. Handling is nimble and precise, the ride is supple, and the A4 feels tight-as-a-drum solid, with a very quiet cabin. The fully digital instrument panel shows pertinent information in front of the driver in a clear, comprehensive way, and the center screen is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Interior fit and finish is excellent and the front seats are comfortable, although the rear seat is tight. The A4 has good crash-test results and offers advanced safety features. The high-performance S4's 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was replaced by a turbo V6 in the 2018 redesign. The wagon version is called the Allroad. A freshening for 2020 brings a different infotainment system, moving from a rotary knob that interacts with a center screen, to a touch screen. 2025 is the final model year for the A4, replaced by the A5.

2009-2016

2009 Redesign Year

The 2009 redesign was a big step forward. Handling is agile and very secure, the ride is firm but supple and interior quality is first-rate. The front-wheel drive version we tested was equipped with an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is smooth and responsive, while optimizing acceleration and fuel economy. All-wheel drive versions use eight-speed automatic transmissions. However, rear seat legroom is still lacking and some of the secondary controls are more complex than they should be. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder and slick eight-speed automatic returned a good 25 mpg overall in our tests. This version of the high performance S4 model is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6.

2002-2008

2002 Redesign Year

The A4 handles nimbly, has a solid feel, and surrounds the driver with impressive interior details. Further, all-wheel drive is an advantage in slippery conditions. However, the car falls short in ride comfort and the rear seat is devoid of legroom. A V8-powered S4 and a convertible arrived for 2004. Midway through 2005, the A4 lineup got a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 3.2-liter V6 and some styling changes.

1996-2001

1996 Redesign Year

This nimble, stylish sports sedan offers a strong and refined 2.8-liter, 190-hp V6, along with a less-refined but responsive 170-hp turbo Four in 1.8T versions. The Four got a 20-hp boost for 2001. Also new are standard side-curtain air bags. The A4's ride is firm yet compliant. The optional five-speed automatic shifts smoothly and allows easy manual shifts. The front seats are very comfortable, though the rear is cramped. Audi's all-wheel-drive Quattro system improves handling and winter traction. The wagon version is called the Avant. The high performance S4 and S4 Avant have a 250-hp twin-turbo engine and firmer suspension.