Beautifully crafted inside and out, the Audi A4 is a compelling choice for many buyers in the entry-luxury sports sedan marketplace. Audi’s superb Quattro all-wheel drive system is optional.
What's New for 2014
The A4's turbocharged four-cylinder engine now produces 220 horsepower. Other changes are minor, related to options packages, trim details and new wheel designs.
Choosing Your Audi A4
All A4s use a 220-horsepower version of Audi's 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but buyers choose between:
Front-wheel drive A4s feature a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while those with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system offer the choice of a conventional six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. Fuel economy is 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway with the CVT. Mileage suffers slightly with the extra weight of the Quattro system and less efficient non-CVT transmissions.
Buyers choose from three trim levels:
The A4's option list is lengthy and includes the A4 Prestige package, which features S line elements like a sport suspension, 19-inch wheels and special styling for offering the front and rear fascias, side skirts, doorsills and badging.
Another impressive option is the Driver Assist package, consisting of adaptive cruise control, and adjustment of control dynamics, including steering effort, throttle response and transmission-shift characteristics.
We're impressed by the value of the base Premium—it comes with several features for which competitors charge extra.