Audi's ever-popular compact A4 continues the trend of being a technology-rich vehicle with upscale luxury features. While the 2019 model year brings some minor exterior updates, the A4 is still a great option in the luxury segment with its ideal blend of style, luxury, and technology. As with the majority of other Audis, the brand's legendary quattro system is standard on some trims, which brings all-weather capability to the masses.
What's New for 2019
For 2019, the A4 gets minimal exterior changes, which include a redesigned front bumper and lower fascia. The rear bumper has also been updated with a new dual exhaust system.
Choosing Your Audi A4
The A4 is offered with two engines. The base motor is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 188 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is standard for the base A4, as is front-wheel drive. Oddly, models with the standard engine are referred to as “Ultra” models and are rated by the EPA to get up to 27 miles per gallon in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.
A more powerful version of the engine is also available for an extra $4,600 throughout the entire lineup, and is rated to produce 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Once again, the engine is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Instead of sending power to the front wheels, the larger engine comes with all-wheel drive as standard. Ticking the box for the larger engine brings fuel economy down to 23/34/27 mpg (city/highway/combined).
In terms of safety, the A4 isn't as feature packed as some of its competitors. The base A4 comes with Audi pre sense basic, which pretensions the front seat belts, automatically closes the side windows and sunroof, and turns on the hazard warning lights when it recognizes an accident is imminent. Other safety tech that's standard is Audi pre sense city that alerts drivers and automatically pushes the brakes if it senses an accident is going to occur.
There are three available trims for the A4:
Getting an Audi without all-wheel drive somehow feels wrong. And the extra power and performance from the more powerful engine are worth the extra money, which is how we'd spec our 2019 Audi A4. With more safety and technology features, which is Audi's strong suit, we recommend going with the Premium Plus and ticking the box for the Cold Weather Package.