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 more powerful 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 well so most drivers will assume it’s a traditional automatic. Gear swaps happen quickly, smoothly, and appropriately, making this transmission well matched 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 aluminum. 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. Audi has created a high-tech wonderland with its high-resolution display that lets drivers minimize the tachometer and speedometer to expand trip info, phone contacts, audio choices, and even Google Earth Maps, all displayed right in front of the driver. 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. However, the electronic gear selector takes some familiarization.
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 forward collision warning, a city-speed automatic emergency braking system (up to 52 mph), and pedestrian detection. Note that blind spot warning with cross traffic warning is optional.
The A4 is a thoroughly satisfying sports sedan with accomplished driving dynamics, latest technology, and class. The S4 performance version uses a turbocharged V6. The A4 Allroad is a raised wagon version.