In the sports sedan tug-of-war among Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the A4 now prevails over its peers. Sports sedans often fall short of expectations, being neither sporty nor luxurious, or prove unreliable. The A4 gets all of these things right, which is why it jumps to the top of this class in our rankings.
The familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine remains under the A4’s hood, and continues to impress, with prompt throttle response, ample low-end power, and a free-revving nature. It feels smoother than most turbo fours and gives a nice growl under hard acceleration. If you must have the V6, you may want to consider the 349-hp S4.
One of the big changes entailed swapping the previous super-slick eight-speed automatic transmission for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Such set-ups are typically plagued with low-speed vibration, but Audi worked it out. The new transmission works so well, most drivers will assume it’s a traditional automatic. Gear swaps happen quickly, smoothly, and appropriately, making this transmission a perfect companion to the engine. This powertrain combo makes the car feel quick and eager. We measured a commendable 27 mpg.
The A4’s structure is rock-solid, even with the increased use of weight-saving aluminium. This is a satisfying car to drive, with tossable, secure handling both on road and track. There’s even good feedback through the wheel.
As good as the handling is, the real improvement comes in the form of ride comfort. Taking bumps in stride, the A4 proves supple and controlled. It is much more compliant than is the norm for Audi. Impressively hushed wind and road noise help keep the car remarkably quiet. The end result is a car that masks long distance miles and keeps fatigue at bay.
Slide into the A4’s cabin and you’re greeted by a high quality, if somewhat clinical looking, interior. Most of the details have been thoroughly sweated. Even the controls have a precise feel and a clean, modern look.
Technology abounds, especially on cars equipped with the aptly named Technology package. From a touchpad with the ability to recognize handwriting to the vivid Virtual Cockpit instrument panel, Audi has created a high-tech wonderland. Its high-resolution display lets you minimize the tachometer and speedometer to expand trip info, phone contacts, audio choices, and even Google Earth Maps, all displayed right in front of you. This multi-functional display is controlled by buttons on the steering wheel. It can seem overwhelming at first, but the system proves to be intuitive with practice. We can't say the same for the electronic gear selector, which requires a deft touch to pick the desired gear. It also lacks some desired safeguards to prevent rollaway should you fail to select Park..
The front seats are firm yet comfy and most drivers can get well-situated behind the wheel. Rear seat room is still tight, but that’s what you get in this class.
All A4s come standard with a city-speed automatic emergency braking system (up to 52 mph), forward-collision warning, and a rearview camera. Note that blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert is optional.
The A4 is a thoroughly satisfying sports sedan with accomplished driving dynamics, latest technology, and class. The A4 Allroad is a raised wagon version.