Smooth and refined.

Introduction

The Audi A4 is a superb road car with all-wheel drive, a compliant, well-tuned suspension and high-quality interior trimmings. A premium compact, the A4 comes equipped with leather, automatic climate control and a range of options associated with larger luxury cars. 

Audi A4 is available in four-door sedan and Avant wagon versions. They come with a smooth 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers solid mid-range power for good drivability around town. 

Audi S4 is a high-performance version of the A4 featuring a 333-horspower V6, a specially tuned quattro all-wheel-drive system, a sports suspension, and special trim. 

2011 Audi A4 models come with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year's 6-speed automatic. The navigation system on 2011 A4s includes HD radio, an upgrade over last year. Audi side assist is available. The beige birch wood trim has been replaced by Nutmeg Laurel for some cabin colors on 2011 models. Also new for 2011 is a Titanium Sport package with black trim, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, sport seats, and a sports suspension. Audi completely redesigned the A4 for 2009, and it is as closely related to the A5 as it is to the pre-2009 A4 models. 

2011 Audi A4 models come in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim, but all share the same 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Sedans are available with front-wheel drive and continuously variable transmission (CVT) or all-wheel drive and either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed Tiptronic automatic. 

The Audi A4 Avant wagon comes exclusively with the automatic and quattro all-wheel drive, and so it starts at a somewhat higher price. 

We've found the A4 models a delight to drive. They are compliant enough to soak up bumps like a larger car but firm enough to feel solid and stable to its electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. 

Comparing two-wheel-drive models, the front-wheel-drive A4 is not as precise as a rear-wheel-drive BMW 3 Series. But Audi's quattro is among the best all-wheel-drive systems in the world, and an Audi A4 quattro more than holds its own against the other all-wheel-drive cars in its class, and it's more adept in the rain or snow than other sports sedans. Audi A4 quattro competes with the BMW 328iX, Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic, and Lexus IS250 AWD. The A4 generally offers better fuel economy and more passenger room than those models. 

Lineup

The 2011 Audi A4 is available as a four-door sedan or Avant wagon. The high-performance Audi S4 is offered as a sedan only. 

Audi A4 2.0T Premium sedan ($31,950) is the entry-level model, and comes with a 2.0-liter, 211-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. Also standard are single-zone climate control, leather front seats with power adjustment, aluminum interior trim, AM/FM/CD audio with auxiliary input and Sirius Satellite radio, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant controls, moonroof, fog lamps, alarm, and 17-inch wheels. 

Audi A4 2.0T quattro Premium sedan ($32,850) is equipped similarly, but with all-wheel drive and 6-speed manual transmission. An 8-speed Tiptronic automatic is optional ($1,290). The A4 2.0T quattro Premium Avant ($35,940) also comes with an Open Sky panoramic moonroof and a split-folding rear seat. Premium options include a Bluetooth/HomeLink package ($700); Sport 18 package ($1,450) with sport seats and suspension, 18-inch wheels and performance tires, shift paddles on automatics; heated front seats ($450); iPod integration ($300); Walnut or Nutmeg wood trim ($350); rear side airbags ($350). 

Premium Plus adds three-zone climate control, iPod and Bluetooth interfaces, heated front seats, driver information display, HomeLink, rain-sensing wipers, bi-Xenon headlights, LED running lamps and taillamps, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, and chrome window trim. Options include 18-inch wheels and all-season tires ($800); metallic paint; Sports 18 package; Titanium Sport Package ($2,000) with 19-inch wheels with summer tires, black exterior trim, sport seats and suspension, shift paddles on Tiptronic models; navigation with rearview camera ($2,550); 505-watt 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system ($850); rear side airbags and wood trim. 

The Prestige package adds to Premium Plus with 18-inch wheels, driver memory system, auto-dimming outside mirrors, keyless start/stop/entry, and the Bang & Olufsen stereo. Prestige options include chrome wheels ($300); a 19-inch Sports package ($1,450) that includes special wheels, tires, seats, suspension; S line package ($2,450) with unique 19-inch wheels, S line bodywork and cabin trim, sports suspension, sport seats with Alcantara and leather upholstery; 19-inch Titanium Sport package ($1,650); Audi Drive Select ($2,950); Audi side assist ($500); adaptive cruise control ($2,100); manual rear side and power rear sunshades ($500); metallic paint; rear side airbags; and wood trim. 

Audi S4 quattro is powered by a 333-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6, and available with 6-speed manual ($46,600) or 7-speed S tronic ($48,000) transmission. Standard trim for the S4 is Premium Plus; also standard are high-performance tires on 18-inch wheels, proper seats and S4-specific steering, brakes and suspension. Prestige trim includes all the Prestige goodies plus 19-inch wheels. Options include navigation, 19-inch Titanium Sport pack, Bang & Olufsen audio system, sport rear differential, Nappa leather upholstery, rear side airbags, metallic paint and carbon fiber, gray birch, or stainless steel trim. Audi Drive Select ($3,950) includes the sport differential. 

Safety features for all A4s include two-stage driver and adaptive passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, curtain airbags, driver knee airbag, active headrests; electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, and tire pressure monitors. Rear side-impact airbags are optional on all models. As noted above, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, rear camera, and park assist are available on some models; quattro all-wheel drive is standard on Avant and S4, and available on any A4 sedan. 

Walkaround

The current-generation Audi A4 was introduced as a 2009 model. It shares the split-grille common to all front-engine Audis, with points on the lower air dam that mimic crab pincers. The headlamp housings are boldly horizontal, and the light elements draw the eye up and back at the corners. 

The wheelbase, the space between the front and rear axles, is 110.6 inches, long by compact sedan standards. To minimize any limousine look the lower character line along the doors sweeps progressively upward toward the rear wheel, and the shoulder character line just below the windows tapers off as it passes the rear door and curves through the taillight lens as it fades in to the fender. 

The A4 looks meaner when equipped with bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and LED daytime running lights, especially when the daytime running lights are on. (The daytime running lights can be disabled through MMI.) The HID headlights provide better nighttime vision for the A4 driver and have a speed-dependent adjustment, and the DRLs make the A4 stand out so other drivers see it sooner. 

A4 Premium trim models ride on seven-spoke wheels, Premium Plus models on 10-spoke wheels. Both wheels are 17 inches in diameter and wear all-season tires. S-line models add a silver center blade below the grille, sleeker air intakes, side skirts, and wheels with seven double spokes to give the A4 a more imposing, hunkered-down stance. 

The A4 Avant wagon is as aerodynamic as the previous-generation A4 sedan, and while wagons aren't as slick as sedans, wind noise is absent. Rear visibility is good in the Avant thanks to the rear wiper/washer and the added internal volume means the rear window doesn't fog as quickly. 

Horizontally themed tail light housings frame the rear end. The trunk and cargo hatch openings are slightly closer to the ground than in previous generation models for easier loading. Avants are rated to carry 198 pounds on the roof, more than some SUVs because of the A4's lower center of gravity. 

Audi S4 has a look all its own. The standard A4's blacked-out, horizontally themed two-tier grille is overlaid with strong verticals that visually transform a mere opening into a grid. On the other hand, the much-smaller slot below the grille is blacked out on the S4 (rather than divided by four body-color verticals as on the A4) and its bottom edge is defined by an aluminum diffuser blade. A red/silver/black S4 badge appears within the main grille, offset to the curb side. The S4 front fascia is unique as well, with the horizontal bumper segments to either side of grille recessed to make the central grille appear more prominent, although, honestly, this difference is so slight as to leave us wondering whether it was worth the cost. 

A subtle rib below the door openings suffices for a side-sill extension; kudos to Audi designers for under-doing what so many other automakers overdo. More distinctive are the S4 Prestige model's 19-inch wheels with their five triple-ribbed spokes. Around back, the rear bumper fascia gains some crispness from a raised lower border where it arches over those two pairs of exhaust outlets separated by another aluminum diffuser blade. Outside mirror housings are aluminum-look as well. 

Interior

Any recent Audi owner will find the A4 interior familiar, though some of the basic black German efficiency has given way to a warmer, more contemporary cabin a bit north of Germany into Scandinavian territory. Unlike its C-Class and 3 Series competitors, leather upholstery is standard in every A4, and the fit and finish match recent Audis commonly used as benchmarks. 

Front seats are electrically adjusted with four-way power lumbar support for the driver and manual headrests that adjust for height but not angle. With generous travel in the tilt-and-telescoping steering column everyone should be both comfortable and properly positioned for driving, and seat support will easily last a tank of fuel on the highway. The sport seats in S-line or Sport packages are even better at keeping you secure without taking away any comfort; only those of wide girth may prefer the less-bolstered standard seat. A driver memory system for seat and mirrors is available. 

The rear seat is best for two adults or three kids; the center floor hump and console are similar to what you find in most compact four-doors. Seat cushions are pleasantly long and the low-profile headrests on the back seats ensure good rearward vision without passengers yet lift enough to provide passenger comfort and protection. A substantial center armrest offers cupholders and storage within, and doesn't make you fall inward or outward to relax on one arm. Rear seat reading lights and seatback nets are standard, as are LED footwell lights for the toe room under the front seats. Rear seat knee room is typically the pinch point in anything but full-size cars, and while the A4 is no different in that regard it is superior to many cars in its class. 

There are some exceptions (IS front legroom, 3 Series and C-Class rear width) but on average, the A4 offers better head, leg and shoulder room than its primary competitors. The standard moonroof and the big Open Sky roof on Avants let in light and add to the feeling of spaciousness. 

Light-colored cabins have complementary trim colors, with a lighter shade for seats, door insert panels and headliner; and darker shades on the dash, door edges and armrests, and carpeting. A metallic-look trim is the default, though genuine wood (an amber Nutmeg Laurel or darker Walnut) for the glovebox, console and doors may be specified. It's unlikely you will find a more appealing interior at the price. 

Seats in the S4 have Alcantara inserts and embossed S4 logos. Contrasting stitching also highlights the seats, as well as the leather-covered shifter and steering wheel. Standard interior trim is brushed aluminum; options include stainless steel, carbon fiber, and gray birch wood. 

The A4 driver faces a dashboard modeled after other recent Audis, with the console slightly tilted left and center dash angled toward the driver and carried to the same height as the instrument pod; passengers can still reach those controls but it flows to the driver better. The center armrest top slides fore/aft and all the controls are within easy reach, the ergonomics faultless. We would prefer the gate for the manual mode on the automatic transmission shifter on the left side (closer to driver) than the right, however. 

Large dials provide speed and engine revs, with 0 straight down; you may have to recalibrate your mental clock positions for the speedometer needle; and the mid-range of the tachometer may be obscured if you lower the tilt wheel too far (and you'll mask the warning light pod top center). However, with everything properly positioned, all instruments are clearly visible and well lit at night, with deep amber lighting to minimize eye recovery time. Between the two primary gauges is a message center for gear selected and engaged (even on manuals), radio data, range remaining, outside temperature and so forth. On higher-level cars trip computer data, cruise control distances, and navigation data are shown here as well. 

At the same height and to the right is a 6.5-inch color screen. On non-navigation cars this does radio, some climate and car setup chores (beep with alarm, unlock driver door only, etc.). On non-navi cars the MMI (multimedia interface) command dial is in the center of the radio panel just below the vents, and it and the similar control for climate immediately below it are illustrated on the screen. 

On navigation-equipped cars the MMI is ahead of the shifter (or behind it from the driver's point of view). It maintains the eight hard key choices as before and remains among the more intuitive-type systems; the upgrades to the voice-recognition navigation system only make it easier and quicker. With this setup the radio panel reverts to a CD control panel, the screen is larger and it includes a backup camera. Many of the audio and setup controls can be run through the thumbwheels on the steering wheel that both rotate and push-to-click. 

Automatic climate control with full manual ability is standard on the Premium model; it kept a black wagon's occupants comfortable in desert sunshine. On Premium Plus and Prestige models, three-zone climate control gives independent control to each front occupant and places a pair of vents with temperature gradient in the back of the center console. Rear window shades are optional (on Prestige) if you prefer to avoid aftermarket tint. 

The standard audio system handles most inputs. But for the best in sound entertainment, pop for the Bang & Olufsen system, which backs up some added visual drama with 14 speakers fed from 10 distinct channels and 505 watts of output. 

With all that packed into a small four-door, storage spaces are at a premium. Each door has a map pocket that will hold a bottle, both center armrests have small bins, seatbacks have net pockets, and the surprising glovebox can hold more than some papers and the owner's manual. Beyond that, you're headed to the trunk. 

Trunk space is 12.0 cubic feet, similar to a BMW 3 Series, a little smaller than Lexus IS or Mercedes C-Class. You can increase cargo space by folding the back seat or seats, or employing the ski sack pass-through for longer items. 

Avants have roughly 28 cubic feet of space behind the back seat and 50 cubic feet with the back seats folded. A side pocket with cargo net, good floor-mounted tie-downs at the corners and a pair of pivoting rings at cover height that can be used as tie-down points or grocery-bag hooks add to its versatility. The cargo floor can be flipped over to a plastic well for carrying messy stuff, and a roll-up net separates cargo or animals from people. 

When you open the hatch, which can be powered and set to stop at any height, the cargo cover can be released up and forward for better access or rolled up behind the seat. The load lifting height is lower than in the previous generation, and the hatch opening (39 inches at the base) is bigger. 

Driving Impression

The A4's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is designed with everyday use in mind. With direct injection and variable exhaust valve lift, the Audi engine starts quickly and at idle has the faintest muffled ticking. Above that it's smoother because the turbocharger is spooled up and generating boost. 

As a result, the 2.0T delivers 211 horsepower, 7 more than the Lexus IS 2.5-liter V6 and just slightly less than the 3.0-liter six-cylinders in the Mercedes C300 and BMW 328 (by 17 hp and 19 hp respectively). Yet far more important for the American driver in a 35 mph world is torque, and the A4's 2.0T dishes up 258 lb-ft of it. This diesel-like urge tops that of the BMW, Mercedes and Lexus, so the A4 is more than capable of keeping up with or passing those other cars. The A4 2.0T can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds or less; Audi notes the quattro manual as quickest, and it's also the highest rated highway fuel economy. 

Most impressive is the width of the powerband, that area of engine speed that delivers maximum power. The 2.0 turbo makes big torque from just off idle at 1500 rpm all the way to 4200 rpm. And from 4300-6000 rpm it delivers the 211 horsepower. It will rev to 6700 rpm, but there isn't much point when you've got that much midrange power. None of the competitors has that kind of flexibility. This makes the A4 pleasant around town. 

The A4 with quattro all-wheel drive betters the EPA fuel-economy ratings for the analogous BMW, Mercedes and Lexus by 1-5 mpg in both the City and Highway cycles. The A4 Avant 2.0T quattro is rated 21/27 mpg City/Highway. In our own mixed driving, which included elevation, rain and snow, it returned better than 25 mpg. 

The CVT continuously variable transmission in the front-drive 2.0T operates completely automatically. A CVT feels different from a traditional automatic: Engine speed more closely matches how hard you're pushing the gas pedal rather than how fast the car is going, sort of like how a car with a manual transmission feels when the clutch is slipping. With the lever in S for Sport mode the transmission makes eight steps automatically (to feel like gear changes even though they technically aren't). In Manual mode, you control those eight steps by moving the shift lever or paddles. 

The 6-speed manual cars have a precise shifter with good feel and movement. Likewise, the clutch pedal has simple, low-effort operation. A feature called the drive-off assistant keeps the brakes on while you transition your foot from brake to gas pedal, so even novices can manage an uphill start. Because the A4 can get heavy and the engine is only two liters you may need a few revs on for the smoothest takeoffs, a technique you'll learn by the third stop sign. 

The 6-speed automatic disengages when the car is in Drive but a foot is on the brake, to save fuel, wear, and the creep motion idling automatics want to do. The 6-speed auto offers the same modes (D, S, and manual) as the CVT. In D it is smooth yet shifts quickly and maximizes mileage and comfort by using all the torque available. In S it delivers more response for the same gas-pedal application, doesn't shift under heavy cornering loads, and downshifts sooner; as in manual mode, downshifts are rev-matched for smoothness and longevity. In Manual mode you select the gear you want, ideal for winding elevation changes where you know what's coming and want to save a lot of shifting, in traffic to better control speed, or on long descents to save the brakes for stopping. 

Quattro all-wheel drive comes on most A4s. Quattro makes acceleration easier and has differential locks for best low-speed traction. The default split sends 60 percent of engine output to the rear wheels for better driving dynamics and balance. The system is completely transparent to the driver and requires no action. All-wheel drive is more effective for acceleration than traction control because the latter achieves grip by reducing the accelerative force of the front tires. But remember that all-wheel drive merely provides accelerative force to propel the car, and to a lesser extent steer it in low-traction conditions. It does not repeal the laws of physics and uses the same tires and brakes to slow the car. 

The A4's brakes deliver impressive slowing even on a wagon with a load on board. Outright stopping performance depends a great deal on tires so we're surmising the Sport package cars might stop the best. An electronic parking brake, operated by a switch on the center console, can give close to maximum effort when needed and hold a decent grade. 

Weight plays a part in virtually every aspect of a car in motion. Most of the A4's suspension pieces are forged aluminum, as is the front crossmember; the anti-roll bars are hollow and the steering rack has been positioned for less weight in the moving parts. The rear suspension is sort of a small-scale A6 setup with toe-control trapezoidal links and separate spring and shock mounts that allow a lower floor but more suspension travel, a win-win situation. For better balance, Audi mounts the battery in the trunk. 

The A4's long wheelbase pays dividends in ride quality, stability, steering reaction, and braking. With the wheels farther apart and carrying closer to equal weight it's easier to make each do its own share of the work, so despite the nose-heaviness caused by the engine, the A4 feels lighter than it is and surprisingly adept at swallowing bumps and road imperfections while still delivering decent cornering. With quattro it's even better, and the wagon's extra weight over the rear wheels makes it entertaining. 

We've found the A4 a superb road car, one developed and tuned by people that commute at 130 mph, and it's adept on a race track. Over a few hundred subsequent miles we found the A4 equally capable on any road. Longer wheelbase means more time between the bumps and everything gets smoother as wheelbase lengthens. But it never becomes soft or mushy. 

On Sport suspension and tires the ride goes firm but never stiff, and the fun quotient goes even higher. At the highest level, the Drive Select system with dynamic steering and variable damping that calculates shock rates 1000 times/second gives the widest spectrum, from comfort like a base car on 17-inch wheels to stick like a Sport on 19-inch wheels, and you can program one mode to your liking. 

We would advise caution considering 19-inch wheels for bad roads like you may encounter in the Rust Belt, or Arkansas I-40. They look great and stick well but cost a lot to replace when you bend or break them. The 17-inch tires with taller sidewalls are better for rough roads. 

Outward visibility is good in all directions, aided by low-profile rear headrests, sensibly sized pillars, fog lights front and rear, and good wiper coverage (including the rear in the Avant, with dual washer jets). Upper models benefit from bi-Xenon headlamps that adjust aim at more than 75 mph, a backup camera with parking assist, and side assist for lane changes, all good features. 

The A4 is quiet to allow hours behind the wheel without fatigue. Despite the largish outside mirrors wind noise is hushed, road noise is kept to a minimum and the engine is heard only when you're working it. 

The Audi S4 is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It's fueled by direct injection and breathes through four valves per cylinder; additionally the V6 employs a two-stage intake manifold for maximum flexibility. An optional active rear differential overdrives the outside rear tire in corners, forcing the front end to turn in more quickly. It also communicates with the vehicle's Drive Select system and stability control to help maintain control in emergency maneuvers. 

With a 6-speed manual transmission, the 2011 S4 rockets from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, which is quicker (by 0.4 seconds) than even the previous-generation manual-shift S4, which was powered by a naturally aspirated V8. And fuel efficiency is greatly improved, the S4 achieving 18 mpg city/27 highway. 

The S4 is available with Audi's 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, wherein the top three gears are overdrives. The S tronic uses dual input shafts and dual clutch packs to execute computer-controlled gear changes in just one-fifth of a second. Zero-to-60 time is exactly the same with S tronic, while highway fuel economy improves slightly, to 28 mpg. Both versions of the S4 are electronically limited to 155 mph. 

Summary

The Audi A4 is a superb road car. The least-expensive model is nicely finished, has an interior hard to beat at the price and makes a very nice commuter without breaking the fuel bank; while the top-end versions are fitted out like executive autobahn missiles. This latest A4 has the goods to go up against its German competitors on the road and Japanese competitors on amenities and style. Arguably its four-cylinder engine is the best in the entry premium segment. Number-crunchers will find that more room, more power, better mileage, standard leather, and a lower price make a compelling argument. 

G.R. Whale contributed to this report to NewCarTestDrive.com. 

Model Lineup

Audi A4 2.0T sedan CVT ($31,950); A4 2.0T sedan quattro manual ($32.850); A4 2.0T sedan quattro Tiptronic ($34,140); A4 2.0T Avant quattro Tiptronic ($35,940); S4 quattro manual ($46,600); S4 quattro S tronic ($48,000). 

Assembled In

Ingolstadt, Germany. 

Options As Tested

Premium Plus trim ($3,300) bi-Xenon headlamps, LED daytime running and tail lamps, chrome window trim, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, Bluetooth, HomeLink, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming mirror with compass); Sport 18 package ($1450) 18-inch alloy wheels and 245/40 performance summer tires, sport seats).