Audi A4 Review

Pros: Looks, interior features, quattro driveline, seven-speed dual clutch transmission, efficiency, S4 Avant

Cons: Extensive options, no standard Bluetooth audio streaming on entry variants

By Alborz Fallah
June 28th, 2012

FIND DEALS

Price: $52,700 to $123,900

Performance, Ride & Handling	4
Comfort & Interior	4.5
Quality & Design	4
Value & Features	3
Safety	5
Green	3.5

The updated eighth-generation Audi A4 takes the fight to its German rivals with a range of improved powertrains, better fuel efficiency, sharper looks and added features and specifications.

The mid-sized Audi A4 is an important model to Audi’s Australian operations, with the model accounting for 21 percent of overall sales, making it the most popular “A” car for the German brand. So far this year (Jan-May) the outgoing A4 model has achieved 1,174 sales, placing it below the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2,644) and the all-new BMW 3 Series range (1,694).

Although technically a mid-life facelift, Audi says the changes to the A4 have been substantial, with almost every area of the car examined and improved in some way. The changes start with the engines, which have seen an average fuel economy improvement of about 15 percent across the range. That’s not to mention that nearly all powerplants have gained additional power and torque (and even shed a few kilos) in the process.

Audi has also improved the exterior look with a sharper front end that does away with round foglights and brings about a more modern design thanks to the inclusion of a new solid pattern for the LED daytime running lamps (which should see Audi yet again set new trends in headlight design). The rear end comes with updated U-shaped tail-lights and horizontal elements in the rear diffuser.

Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive ‘quattro’ drivetrains, the variety of A4s available differ significantly as you step up through the range. The entry point is a six-speed manual Audi A4 1.8 TFSI for $52,700 and the current top of the range model is the previously unavailable Audi S4 3.0-litre V6 supercharged Avante that retails for a healthy $123,900.

To experience the Audi A4 range we flew to Hobart where we drove multiple variants on our way to Launceston via a series of twisty mountainous roads that encompassed stages of the famous Targa Tasmania rally.

First in line was a 3.0-litre petrol TFSI supercharged quattro sedan, which sits right below the S4 in the performance spectrum. With a marketing-inspired 200kW of power and 400Nm of torque, it launches from 0-100km/h in a very respectable 5.4 seconds and sees its might pushed to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Although it doesn’t have an S badge, the engine is essentially the same as the Audi S4 in terms of hardware, but in a different state of tune (which explains the 1:2 power to torque ratio). It even uses the same amount of fuel as the S4, consuming 8.1L/100km.

Put all that into perspective and it’s one seriously quick car, helped along by the quattro system which does wonders for traction. It doesn’t sound nearly as good as its S4 brother, but it’s a perfect compromise if you’ve got about $93,400 to spend and want something sporty.

We then swapped into a 3.0-litre TDI diesel A4 Avant, which is only available as a front-wheel drive with a multitronic CVT transmission (can be ordered with more power and torque as a quattro with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in sedan form). With 150kW and 400Nm, this family-friendly wagon also happens to be the most fuel-efficient V6 diesel in the country (in all categories), consuming a miserly 4.9L/100km.

You’d be hard pressed to argue that a family wagon needs more power or torque (at least until you drive an S4 Avant), and given Audi’s strong presence in the wagon segment (selling more wagons than BMW and Mercedes-Benz), it’s hard to look past if practicality is a priority.

Although wagons are actually more popular in Europe than sedans, only 15 percent of Australian A4 buyers are likely to pick the Avant, which still surprises us given the huge benefits the extra space offers. In the looks department the Audi A4 Avant also appears to be the best-proportioned wagon between the three Germans.

The entry-model 1.8 TFSI petrol multitronic ($55,500) was next in line and as one of the most popular variants it has received substantial changes to the drivetrain. Despite a noticeable increase in power and torque (125kW and 320Nm), the 1.8 TFSI has reduced its fuel consumption by 1.4L/100km to become the most fuel-efficient car in its category, consuming 5.8L/100km. A figure we’d be happy to get from a four-cylinder diesel. This almost makes the A4 2.0 TDI irrelevant as it uses just 1L/100km more fuel. Behind the wheel it feels more than capable as a day to day family car and given its $9000 cheaper than the 2.0 TFSI quattro, it makes perfect sense if you’re not all that fussed on performance figures (0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds).

Speaking of the 2.0 TFSI quattro, this is by and large our favourite model for the money ($64,500). Although the additional 30kW of power and 30Nm of torque over the 1.8 TFSI don’t seem like much, the addition of the all-wheel drive system significantly enhances the drivability and dynamics of this A4. It rushes from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds, which means it can be tremendously fun to drive.

Around the twisty stuff, the quattro system easily distributes power where needed and there’s an overwhelming sense of confidence around corners that’s absent in the multitronics. It’s also available in a manual ($61,700), but given how delightful the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is, particularly in dynamic mode where it downshifts when you brake hard coming into a corner, the additional $2800 is worth every penny.

If you must have the best A4, at least for now, the supercharged 3.0-litre Audi S4 is the one to go for. Audi Australia will bring the Audi RS4 Avant down under early next year (not available in sedan, given the existence of the RS5), but for now the S4 is king. With 245kW and 440Nm, the S4 catapults from 0-100km/h in five seconds flat and creates a glorious soundtrack in the process.

Around the magnificent roads of elephant’s pass in Launceston, we drove an S4 sedan and wagon and found it hard to swap out into anything else. In dynamic mode the steering feel is almost race car-like: heavy and extremely precise. Meanwhile comfort mode changes the damper settings, steering weight, acceleration feel and transmission settings for a more docile experience. In essence, it’s the perfect family car if you enjoy the occasional spirited drive. It offers all the creature comforts of a standard A4, but enormous performance credentials when the time is right.

Generally speaking all A4 variants are quite and rather civilised. They are also relatively comfortable even on rough surfaces. It’s hard to say that the front-wheel drive CVT variants ride and drive better than their equivalent rear-wheel drive BMW 3 series competitors, but they are certainly on par with the class-leading Mercedes-Benz C-class.

Where the A4 does outshine its German rivals, is its interior. Whilst the new BMW 3 Series has had substantial interior improvements and the C-class’ is still fresh, the A4′s cabin is unrivalled for simplicity and uncluttered interior design.

All models come standard with a 6.5-inch screen that takes care of the audio and car system settings. Audi has made subtle improvements to the interior, such as a new three-spoke steering wheel ($300 option for a flat bottom steering wheel), high gloss black finishes, new interior colours and even minor changes such as chrome surrounds on the boot release button. There’s simply something about the way the whole cabin ambience comes together that gives the A4 an edge over its rivals.

Unfortunately, satellite navigation is still an abnormally high-cost option at $3450 and it’s the only way you’ll get access to Bluetooth audio streaming (telephone connectivity is standard), which means you’ll almost have no choice but to tick it if you’re not fond of cables imprisoning your iPod/iPhone. You can, however, get navigation and hence Bluetooth audio streaming as part of the Technik package, which also includes xenon headlights with LED daytime driving lights and front and rear parking sensors.

The addition of new active safety features, such as adaptive cruise control  and active lane assist are also welcomed ($1900 option). We found Audi’s lane assist system, which automatically steers the vehicle back into its lane if the driver fails to correct course, to be the best we’ve tested to date. Providing a seamless and simple nudge to maintain course without all the over-the-top audible and visual warnings that similar systems offer in rival vehicles.

Overall, the current range of vehicles available in the mid-sized luxury segment is very healthy. All three German luxury brands are offering excellent vehicles for reasonable coin, which makes picking one a hard choice.

But with class-leading fuel economy in both petrol and diesel guise, better value for money and sharper looks, the new Audi A4 range is a more complete package than ever before. Check out the gallery for more pictures.

Audi A4 1.8 TFSI manual 125kW $52,700
Audi A4 1.8 TFSI multitronic 125kW $55,500
Audi A4 2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $57,900
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro manual 155kW $61,700
Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 155kW $64,500
Audi A4 3.0 TDI multitronic 150kW $68,900
Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic 180kW $88,000
Audi A4 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 200kW $93,400 3/3
Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI multitronic 125kW $58,500
Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $60,900
Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 155kW $67,500
Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI multitronic 150kW $71,900
Audi A4 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 245kW $120,400
Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 245kW $123,900

Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) – excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges

Owner reviews of the AUDI A4 Add a New Review

2010 AUDI A4 2.0 TDI
By HKK

2008 AUDI A4 1.8T
By Scott.A.Cairns

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Nathanf2000

Audi A4 has achieved XX sales so far this year???
- F1MotoGP
  
  In the first 5 months of this year 1174 Audi A4 was sold, 2004 BMW 3 series and 3599 Mercedes C class.
Nathan

Doesn’t really look aggressive or exciting enough.
- Rebekah
  
  Agreed, I don’t look at this car and want to buy it. There’s no emotional hunger towards it.
Pil

I’m surprised how well the C-class is doing considering its age and the strong competition.
Saltypigeon

how reliable is it this time? my boss’s two previous new A4s have both broke down completely once per year.
- James
  
  Funny you should say that. My A4 broke down last year a month and a half after I purchased it new. I was then without it for a month and a half as they replaced the engine. Here I am again again and the alternator has just failed. I will be without it for three days and they claim they do not have a loaner car in all of Victoria until mid September. Thanks Audi.
Guest

Get the IS350
- F1MotoGP
  
  I would pick the Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic. 500Nm from 1400 rpm, 0 to 100 in 5.9 sec
  - Pil
    
    I prefer the new 3 series.
    - Nbnt
      
      I prefer the Lexus IS350
      
      See what just happened?
      
      Different people like different things..
      - Gus
        
        IS350 for me.. stress free and it won’t break
      - Phil
        
        It must be the same person over and over constantly telling us to get the IS350. Lexus have barely sold any since they were released here. Even IS250 sales have stalled.
  - Daniel
    
    I would too, but to be fair, that would cost almost twice as much as an IS350.
  - Xzur
    
    Funny, the IS350 is faster then that, in reality much faster..
    
    And IS350 only has 380Nm of Torque and almost all of it is avilable from 2500rpm
    
    But IS350 has 233Kw of power mate
    
    So you’ll never be able to catch up.. Bye..Bye
    
    And the IS350 is also more reliable, much more reliable, the Audi will break apart when it’s revved above 3000rpm
    
    Also the IS350 looks way better, higher quality interior and exterior
    
    And the IS350 is CHEAPER! And much better value
    
    And for the final nail, the IS350 is a much more refined unit
    - F1MotoGP
      
      I use my car for driving not racing. Anyway speed limit here is just over 100 and do not worry Audi wont break apart you should see how in Germany driving on the freeway, nobody drives under 130 maybe that is why Lexus not selling well in Europe can not take the heat.
      Cheaper does not mean better you should know than I would buy Toyota Aurion nearly same engine and finally first 5 months of this year more A4 was sold than IS. (Source: VFACTS)
  - Irandicacyi
    
    You obviously know nothing about cars, first of all, the torque measured is the torque at the Crank.. That really does not mean anything, all cars have gearboxes tht is connected to the driveshaft then to the wheels, the crank is not connected to the wheels, so unless you plan on towing 2-tonnes then looking at torque numbers alone is very useless, diesel excel in towing because they have lots of torque viable immediately, well almost and so they’re good at towing..
    
    But a transmission makes more torque, it amplifies torque and increases torque to the wheels.. So a car with more POWER will always be faster then a car with more TORQUE
    
    Fact, torque always starts to quickly die out early with a diesel, very early, and with most other cars the torque starts to go down mid-way of engine speed, about 4000-5000RPM.. Where as ZPower continues to climb all the way
    
    So to simply put it, torque if you want to tow and Power if you want speed
    
    And plus, all cars have different characteristics, revving a diesel to 4000rpm is not like revving a Gasoline V6 to 4000rpm.. The petrol will have no problems, where as diesel will struggle..
    
    Compare the Ford Falcoon to the Toyota Aurion;
    
    The Ford Falcon is a 4.0L, iron block, undersquare, Inline-6 (Barra 192)
    
    The Toyota Aurion is a 3.5L, all-alloy, oversquare, quad-cam V6 (2GR-FE)
    
    - The Aurion has 336Nm of torque at 4600rpm and the Falcon has 391Nm at 2350rpm
    
    - The Aurion has 200kW of power at 6200rpm and the Fakcon has 195kW at 6000rpm
    
    Now I have driven both cars very thourough and I understand the principles of automotive technology.. Simple the Aurion is a much faster car and better at almost every situation then the falcon.
    
    Let’s investigate why that is, first thing to point out is that the Falcon has a displacement advantage over the Aurion, 4.0L vs 3.5L
    
    The Aurion is an unruffled engine and maintains composure across its entire POWER-BAND, it is able to up-rev very quickly and this gives more power much quicker and more efficiently
    
    Aurion transmission is also more sophisticated, it is much more suited, almost perfectley to the engine, torque, gear ratio, timing etc are managed very well and efficiently by the intelligent transmission, and it is fast at changing the ratios.
    
    Since the Falcon block is made of iron, it is much heavier then the all-aliminum design of the Aurion 2GR-FE engine.. Remember, heavier engines naturally make more torque..
    
    One of he met important factors and I cannot tress this is the fundamental engine/piston design of these motors, the Aurion is OVERSQUARE, the Falcon is UNDERSQUARE.. This very important trait means that the Falcon engine will create more low-end torque.. The OVERSQUARE design of the Aurion allows the engine to BREATHE MUCH MUCH BETTER, since it has a larger bore (piston head) and a shorter stroke (piston travel distance) This is possible by the larger valves in the Aurion engine..
    Which simply will mean the Aurion will have very good performance, and the falcon will RUN OUT OF BREATHE
    
    Benefits of the Aurion over Falcon;
    
    -Much more effortless drive
    -Much more effortless engine
    -Better performance
    -Much better durability of engine (OVERSQUARE designed is proven to be most reliable, also common sense)
    -Much better breathing engine, enabled subce its a quad-cam V6, with Dual VVT-I and literally valve movements all the time and generally quad-cam deliver more effucient power then just nirmal DOHC which means engine will be able to be revved very smoothly and since it’s OVERSQUARE, it has much larger VALVES which allow for more efficient and POWER
    
    Benefit of Falcon
    
    -More durable, since it’s iron-block which is stronger then alloy
    -Better for low-speed towing since the Falcon has more ‘torque’
    
    The Aurion engine is simply superior and much more sophisticated in design and technology and execution..
    
    The Falcon may have just a bit more torque at the CRANK of just 55Nm, that literally is NOTHING and the Aurion’s transmission mitigates that non-issue very well..
    
    So I hope all you haters out there have learned perhaps something new from my scientifically objective post..
    
    Peace & take care
    - Legnab
      
      Why , this is about an audi , leave the AUWION and the FALCOON out of the equation they have no relevance , second rate cars .
      - twincharger
        
        Talking of second rate cars,thats Audi compared to BMW+Mercedes.
    - Oliver Cromwell
      
      sorry mate but you are wrong. Audi A8 4.2TDi is faster than Audi A8 4.2 petrol. The diesel has 258 kw and 800NM, the petrol is 273 kw and 445NM.
      
      Guess which car is quicker? the TDi my friend. 5.6 vs 5.8, but how could that be, i mean you say diesels with lower power are slower. In this case mate, you are quite simply wrong.
      - Irandicacyi
        
        No you are wrong, faster till what? 100Km/h? After that the other Petrol powered 4.2L will win.. with all that extra torque and it only managed a 0.2 second lead? Almost twice as much torque to just tie up! You see where this is going?
        
        Now put exactly the same peripherals of the diesel into the Petrol version and then we can call it a fair comparison.. Such as for example the same number of turbo/superchargers into both cars..
        
        An that 0.2 second lead to 100Km/h is probably a marketing spinoff from Audi anyway to sell more TDI version
        
        And you went quite off-topic anyway.. My post was simple engineering, universal automotive engineering principles..
      - Oliver Cromwell
        
        exactly hung low. but you weren’t comparing the exact same cars, you said a car with higher power will and let me quote “always” here we have a diesel which is faster to 100 than the equivalent petrol. go blame Audi for not specing their diesels and petrols the same. Oh and by the way, we live in Australia, fastest speed limit is what 110? who cares who is faster after. Quite off topic, this is an Audi A4 review and you are bringing up Falcons and Aurions.
      - Phil
        
        Ewwrion is a terrible car. The engine isn’t bad but the gearbox is a joke. Have you even driven one?
        WTF- I mean look at the ratios, 1st gear runs to about 68kmh, 2nd runs to 115kmh giving it a big gap between 1st and second gear. Try rolling along at 40kmh in D then flooring it – it refuses to go back to 1st even when you manually shift, and then all you get is about 3300rpm in 2nd gear and sluggish acceleration untill it reaches about 5000rpm and 80kmh.
        Then cruising in 6th gear at 100kmh its doing close to 2000rpm which is hardly economical given Falcoone does 1600rpm.
        Then there’s the Torque steer and axle tramp off the line and WTF @ how hard it is the turn off the traction control!
    - Hung Low
      
      Your comment is riddled with technical errors like the weight of a heavier block having relevance to torque output or durability And better breathing from an over square design wtf? I think you had a case of cut and paste epilepsy.
    - Drac
      
      Moral of the story? Buy a petrol V8 with as much displacement as possible
    - twincharger
      
      Wow not going to argue with your scientific analyst,impressively put together irandicacyi.Remember the Falcon has the same automatic transmission as Bmw.
  - Irandicacyi
    
    You obviously know nothing about cars, first of all, the torque measured is the torque at the Crank.. That really does not mean anything, all cars have gearboxes tht is connected to the driveshaft then to the wheels, the crank is not connected to the wheels, so unless you plan on towing 2-tonnes then looking at torque numbers alone is very useless, diesel excel in towing because they have lots of torque viable immediately, well almost and so they’re good at towing..
    
    But a transmission makes more torque, it amplifies torque and increases torque to the wheels.. So a car with more POWER will always be faster then a car with more TORQUE
    
    Fact, torque always starts to quickly die out early with a diesel, very early, and with most other cars the torque starts to go down mid-way of engine speed, about 4000-5000RPM.. Where as ZPower continues to climb all the way
    
    So to simply put it, torque if you want to tow and Power if you want speed
    
    And plus, all cars have different characteristics, revving a diesel to 4000rpm is not like revving a Gasoline V6 to 4000rpm.. The petrol will have no problems, where as diesel will struggle..
    
    Compare the Ford Falcoon to the Toyota Aurion;
    
    The Ford Falcon is a 4.0L, iron block, undersquare, Inline-6 (Barra 192)
    
    The Toyota Aurion is a 3.5L, all-alloy, oversquare, quad-cam V6 (2GR-FE)
    
    - The Aurion has 336Nm of torque at 4600rpm and the Falcon has 391Nm at 2350rpm
    
    - The Aurion has 200kW of power at 6200rpm and the Fakcon has 195kW at 6000rpm
    
    Now I have driven both cars very thourough and I understand the principles of automotive technology.. Simple the Aurion is a much faster car and better at almost every situation then the falcon.
    
    Let’s investigate why that is, first thing to point out is that the Falcon has a displacement advantage over the Aurion, 4.0L vs 3.5L
    
    The Aurion is an unruffled engine and maintains composure across its entire POWER-BAND, it is able to up-rev very quickly and this gives more power much quicker and more efficiently
    
    Aurion transmission is also more sophisticated, it is much more suited, almost perfectley to the engine, torque, gear ratio, timing etc are managed very well and efficiently by the intelligent transmission, and it is fast at changing the ratios.
    
    Since the Falcon block is made of iron, it is much heavier then the all-aliminum design of the Aurion 2GR-FE engine.. Remember, heavier engines naturally make more torque..
    
    One of he met important factors and I cannot tress this is the fundamental engine/piston design of these motors, the Aurion is OVERSQUARE, the Falcon is UNDERSQUARE.. This very important trait means that the Falcon engine will create more low-end torque.. The OVERSQUARE design of the Aurion allows the engine to BREATHE MUCH MUCH BETTER, since it has a larger bore (piston head) and a shorter stroke (piston travel distance) This is possible by the larger valves in the Aurion engine..
    Which simply will mean the Aurion will have very good performance, and the falcon will RUN OUT OF BREATHE
    
    Benefits of the Aurion over Falcon;
    
    -Much more effortless drive
    -Much more effortless engine
    -Better performance
    -Much better durability of engine (OVERSQUARE designed is proven to be most reliable, also common sense)
    -Much better breathing engine, enabled subce its a quad-cam V6, with Dual VVT-I and literally valve movements all the time and generally quad-cam deliver more effucient power then just nirmal DOHC which means engine will be able to be revved very smoothly and since it’s OVERSQUARE, it has much larger VALVES which allow for more efficient and POWER
    
    Benefit of Falcon
    
    -More durable, since it’s iron-block which is stronger then alloy
    -Better for low-speed towing since the Falcon has more ‘torque’
    
    The Aurion engine is simply superior and much more sophisticated in design and technology and execution..
    
    The Falcon may have just a bit more torque at the CRANK of just 55Nm, that literally is NOTHING and the Aurion’s transmission mitigates that non-issue very well..
    
    So I hope all you haters out there have learned perhaps something new from my scientifically objective post..
    
    Peace & take care
  - Sumnodie
    
    The IS350 is marketed at 5.7 seconds, but it’s probably faster.. But anyway between the Audi and IS350, after 100kmh the IS350 will slaughter the Audi as all the ponies will be unleashed on full force..
    
    So it may be 6-seconds for Audi to 100kmh and 5.7 seconds for IS350, bit it’s probably like 15 seconds for IS350 to reach 220kmh while it would take like 30 seconds for the Audi to reach those speeds..
    - Phil
      
      June edition of Motor Magazine: Lexus IS350 did 0-100kmh in 6.17 secs. It was slower than the Falcoone G6 Turbo and well down on the BMW 335i.
      - ggg
        
        Thanks for coming in to save the day, as you seem to always conveniently do, against these one comment wonders. Methinks there’s a…pattern?
Amlohac

Quattro Varients have Sat nav Standard. At least you arent expected to fork out the $3k+ for nav in the higher specs.
Mick

Wow buy the S4 and you are paying 27k for a tune over the 3.0 TFSI!

Stop ripping us off Audi. I’d buy a new S4 at 95k but not your detuned Aussie special.
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  Of course you get a lot more than just a better tune. Wheels, suspension, brakes, interior, exhaust system etc etc. the list is rather substantial.
  - Mick
    
    Well maybe about 5k of extra value in an S4, certainly not the price they are asking. Just goes to show they could give us the car at a reasonable price if they wanted to.
    They could learn a thing or two from Toyota!
Rick

Alborz, I have a 2011 A4 2.0TFSi quattro and am looking to sell it because of 2 main issues.

Can you please clarify a couple of things from your review ?

a) The steering – you mention that the S4 steering in Dynamic mode is great – what about the std 2.0 TFSi quattro ? Is it available (or can it be optioned) with the different modes ? My current car is horrible with zero feel around town and while it does firm up as the speed increases it is still nowhere near as good as my previous 3 series.

b) the 7 speed s-tronic gearbox – again you mention Dynamic mode makes it ‘delightful’. My current car just has Sport and Normal modes for the 7 speed s-tronic and Sport just seems to make it hold each gear longer. No throttle ‘blips’ on downchanges – nothing. Even using it in manual mode it slurs the gearchanges like an auto. I’ve basically given up on it & just drive it like an auto. By comparison, the 6 speed equivalent DSG in my wife’s Golf GTi is a blast…

Thanks.
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  a) – I am sure it can be optioned, the dynamic mode on the steering wheel does make a difference, but to be honest it felt its best in the S4. The standard A4 is sill no where near as good as the current 3 series in terms of steering feel.
  
  b) Hmm.. I am not sure on your old car, but on the S4 the downshifts are superb, I didn’t get the same feel on the 3.0 TFSI quattro (same engine/gearbox but without the S badge), but it was still very good, in dynamic mode. To be honest, if you love your gearboxes, it’s hard to look past the eight-speed in the 3 series unless you option out the sport packages on the A4 or go for the S4.
- Phil
  
  Sigh. Do we have another person who bought a car without test-driving it first?
Shak

”It’s hard to say that the front-wheel drive CVT variants ride and drive better than their equivalent rear-wheel drive BMW 3 series competitors, but they are certainly on par with the class-leading Mercedes-Benz C-class”. Does anyone else think this line is a bit confusing? If it isn’t better than the 3 Series, but on par with the class leader then wouldn’t that make it better?
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  I mean class-leading is in terms of sales. Not driving dynamics.
Kampfer

How’s it compare to VW Passat V6 4-Motion Highline around $60k drive-away?
Schn

Though the Audi’s are looking really similar throughout as they have planned, they just keep getting more and more handsome. Not what I could call energetic or lively, but nonetheless, very handsome. More modern in my opinion than some competitors.

As a side note, I wonder if there is any CVT drone?
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  Not much, the CVT is done really well, you’d find it hard to tell it was aCVT in the first place.
  - Dominique Vøn Hütch
    
    Is that a motoring journalist praising a CVT transmission I hear…no, couldn’t be?!
    - http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
      
      Don’t hold me to it! It was actually rather good and frankly, for the everyday buyer, you wouldn’t even know it was any different to a standard auto. The eight-speed in the 3 series is better, don’t get me wrong, but this isn’t bad either.
      - Guest
        
        Does the CVT use preset ‘gears’ in drive, sport or tiptronic mode? or is it like a Prius with just one gear?
      - http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
        
        Technically of course, it only has the one gear, but it has preset gears which the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters or the gear lever can be used to engage. In Dynamic mode it doesn’t feel like a CVT at all.
Dominique Vøn Hütch

So no 2.0TFSI Avant in Manual? No 200kw 3.0TFSI Avant? Have I read the model lineup incorrectly? WHY AUDI???
Initi

Ugly interior! So much drabness! Also the exterior is not elegent nor is it handsome, it looks bland..

I would easily choose the IS350 and pocket the cash

But seriously, that’s just me.. I know lots of people who would get this Audi and 90% of all A4′s around here are the base 1.8L

To my surprise I actually see quite a few IS350′s here, mostly the F-sports version..
- Dominique Vøn Hütch
  
  No all wheel drive IS350…no diesel IS350…no wagon IS350.
  
  But yeah IS350 is good bang for your buck, looks a bit dated now though I reckon.
  - donquixote
    
    It’s held up pretty well, given its age and the rear is still a stunner.
- F1MotoGP
  
  Only 32 IS-F was sold in the first 5 months of 2012
  - ggg
    
    I guess that’s why he was surprised.
Rightindicator

Nice update to the bread and butter model of the Audi stable.
Hung Low

Looks like the days of great Audi interiors are over!
Mr Frobisher

This is such a dull car inside and out. Add VAG’s reliability and cost of ownership issues and the fact it costs as much as C Class means that Audi are not going to sell too many of these.

Quite frankly my previous Audi ownership experience mirrored by VW ownership experience, sub par reliability and high repair costs… no thanks.
http://twitter.com/GoldHoard Gold Hoard

Just recently test drove an A4 here in the states, it’s NICE….
Polo

No standard bluetooth on entry model. That is really disappointing
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  Only for bluetooth audio streaming not telephone, which is standard.
Nerd

Bluetooth is standard on all A4′s, just without audio streaming unless you get nav
Likea4234

@Xzur – I owned a is250 manual and a a4 b8 quattro manual.

is250 is really a small toyota camry. the is250 is very very
slow 8.3 seconds 1-100kmh

is250 manual gear box is the worst manual i ever owned. That’s
why they stop selling it. It’s rubbish.

both a4 and IS 250/350 are about the same in quality
interior and exterior.

Is 250 interior
design is very dated. First released in 2005 – old old old old old old old

yes - the is350 is
faster, but quattro AWD turns a lot better and road manner much better

the back seat of is2/350 is ridiculous tight

the paint job on is 2/350 is terrible. Swirls appears after
a few car wash – terrible – terrible – terrible

is250/350 front led lights – copycat a4 – unoriginal

IS 350 looks like a Toyota camry suit car – it is now mainly driven by pretend drivers with
directionless girlfriend sitting beside and with rich parents paying for it. That’s what I
sold it. Bad image.

Same for the A4 1.8T automatic. Same type of fools or old
goats driving it. Get a manual quattro, much better car.

Audi quattro wont
break apart, is designed for the autobahn. I would be scared to travel at
250KM/H in a is350 or a FWD A4, but no problem at all in a A4 quattro.
- MisterZed
  
  If you’re getting swirls after a few washes, then you’re doing it wrong.
MisterZed

Um, this isn’t the eight generation A4, it’s the third generation. 1st gen A4 was in 1994, 2nd gen in 2001, and third gen in 2008.
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  The others werent called an A4, but were its predecessor.
GIG

INFINITI G25/G37 thanks…
JamesB

The rear ends of Audi sedans are finally getting better looking unlike the nondescript designs of their predecessors. They’re also the only cars so far with LED dotted lights that don’t seem like an afterthought. But are they now as involving to drive as BMWs?
- ggg
  
  Find out, after the break…
- http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah
  
  Depending on variant, I personally think the quattro is just as good to drive as a RWD 3 Series. but others may disagree.
Designer

Beautiful photography there, really compliments the car!