Pros:
- Well designed, simple interior.
- Nimble, comfortable handling.
- Good standard tech features.
- Handsome, understated exterior styling.
Cons:
- Sporty acceleration or decent fuel mileage, must choose one.
- Limited luggage space.
- Options can get pricey.
Would we buy one? Yes.
Vehicle Type: 4-door, 5-seat compact luxury sedan.
Price Range: Audi A4 pricing starts at an MSRP of $38,395 for the base Premium trim. Top-tier Prestige trim starts at $47,945. Pricing includes destination fees, but no optional equipment.
Powertrain: Two drivetrain options are available on the Audi A4, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 188 horsepower in front-wheel drive cars, or when equipped with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system, a similar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, tuned to 248 horsepower.
Either configuration is backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Competitors: Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3-series, Genesis G70, Acura TSX, Lexus IS, Cadillac CT5, and Volvo S60.
Overall Score: 7.9/10
Safety Features: 8/10
All A4 models come standard with Audi Presense forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Most optional safety features are limited to the mid-tier Premium Plus and top-tier Prestige trims, and include lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety selected the Audi A4 as a Top Safety Pick, when properly equipped, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the A4 a five out of five-star crash test safety rating.
Value: 8/10
The Audi A4 slightly undercuts most of its luxury competition in base trim, and offers good value across all trim levels. Far from a dressed-up Volkswagen, the A4 is a true luxury competitor. Though it may not be the fastest, most luxurious, or most prestigious car in its class, it competes well in all categories, making it a well balanced choice.
The recommended value trim is the mid-tier Audi A4 Premium Plus, which includes much of the optional equipment, while MSRP is about $6,000 less than the top-tier Prestige trim.
The Audi A4 comes with 4 year/50,000 mile limited and powertrain warranties, and 1 year of complimentary maintenance up to 10,000 miles.
Tech Features: 8/10
New for the model year, the Audi A4 comes standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, which runs Audi's MMI user interface. The new car's touchscreen is a big improvement over last year's rotary knob driven interface. Included in the infotainment system are Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth capability.
Three-zone automatic climate control, USB ports, heated front seats, sunroof, ambient interior lighting, and keyless entry are also standard features.
Optional tech equipment includes built in navigation, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Other optional tech features include a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, full color head-up display, and Audi's very cool Virtual Cockpit, a customizable digital gauge cluster.
Practicality: 7/10
The Audi A4 delivers a lot in a relatively small package. Front seat space is excellent, and rear seat comfort is near best in class. Add Audi's world class Quattro AWD and the Audi A4 becomes a safe, luxurious four season sedan.
Trunk space is smaller than average at 12 cubic feet, though the rear seats do fold down for extra space when needed. Many reviewers also found the interior lacking in storage areas for passenger's smaller items.
The A4 sedan is naturally limited in practicality by its body style. Those needing more cargo space should consider the A4 Allroad, the A4 sedan's closely related wagon sibling.
Styling & Design: 8/10
The 2020 Audi A4 features refreshed exterior styling including a new grille, front and rear fascia changes, and LED headlights. These updates give an already attractive option an even more appealing look.
Inside, the normal Audi A4 is sophisticated and uncluttered, with intuitive switch placement, and premium materials, like standard leather upholstery. Seats are as comfortable as any in-class competition, including well-padded and spacious rear seats.
An optional S-Line exterior appearance package gives the A4 a sportier look with a black grill, 18" alloy wheels, and matte trim pieces. An interior S-Line package similarly upgrades the cabin with a flat bottom steering wheel, aluminum trim pieces, and Alcantara upholstered sport seats.
Driving Experience: 9/10
Both the FWD and AWD drive versions of the Audi A4 have an excellent suspension setup, which soaks up bumps, while delivering communicative steering and predictable handling. The less powerful A4 40TFSI engine with FWD deliver good mileage and more than adequate power for most daily driving.
Reviewers preferred the A4 Quattro, which options the more powerful 45TFSI 2.0-liter turbo motor and AWD. This engine makes 248 horsepower and 273 pound-foot of torque, really improving acceleration. Those looking for a true luxury sports sedan will have to step up to the Audi S4.
Fuel Efficiency: 7/10
In FWD trim, the Audi A4 receives EPA estimated fuel economy of 35 highway mpg, 27 city, and 30 combined.
Optioned with the more powerful engine and Quattro AWD, the Audi A4's mileage drops slightly to 32 highway mpg, 24 city, and 27 combined.
Without a hybrid or diesel option, fuel economy is not spectacular, but slots right in the middle of the competition.
