Long known for its blend of elegance and upscale practicality, Audi’s A4 ranks among the more affordable compact luxury sedans. Handsome and economical, with a strong four-cylinder engine, the A4 is tastefully trimmed both inside and out. The A4's design was trend-setting when it first appeared, and still looks fresh today. Buyers turning to a luxury car for the first time are especially likely to consider an A4.
What's New for 2016
Except for one new color choice, little has changed apart from several equipment revisions. A three-spoke multi-function steering wheel is now standard on the base Premium model. Premium options now include Advanced Key and Audi Connect, as part of a Navigation package. Bang & Olufsen sound is now included in the Technology package for Premium Plus models.
Choosing Your Audi A4
Every A4 holds a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 220 horsepower. Front-drive models use a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Cars equipped with optional quattro all-wheel drive can get have either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic. All three drivetrain possibilities are available on each trim level. The previous Prestige trim is no longer offered.
With front-drive and automatic, fuel economy is estimated at 24 mpg city/31 mpg highway (27 mpg combined). Quattro all-wheel drive drops the estimates to 22/32 mpg (26 combined) with manual shift, or 21/30 mpg (25 combined) with automatic.
We lean toward Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive, which doesn’t cost much more than a front-drive A4 and can have either manual shift or a conventional automatic transmission. Because A4 trim levels are independent of drivetrain choice, you can get all-wheel drive without having to pay for features you might not want. So, you may be fully satisfied with a Premium edition, perhaps simply upgrading it with quattro.