Overview & Reviews

The Audi A4 holds the distinction of having single-handedly revived the Audi brand. Launched in the mid-'90s, the compact A4 quickly became a favorite among luxury car buyers thanks to its beautifully finished cabin, sharp handling and available Quattro all-wheel drive. Although the A4 has offered these core characteristics from day one, it has become increasingly polished and high-tech with each successive generation. No matter which year you're looking at, the A4 promises both engaging performance and suave style inside and out.

The sedan body style has been a constant for the Audi A4, but depending on the vintage, you may also find wagon and convertible variants. Turbocharged four-cylinder power is typically found under the hood, yielding both reasonably spirited acceleration and satisfactory fuel economy. In road tests, we've consistently praised the A4's refined character, with more recent plaudits going to its spacious backseat, which has adequate room for full-size adults.

User Reviews:

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  Great, But Expensive to Maintain - 1999 Audi A4
  By Jim in KCMO - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car. But after owning it for two and 1/2 years Im now asking myself: is the fun is worth the high maintenance costs? Routine maintenance is much more expensive than the two VWs I drove before this. Example - new front pads and brake fluid - $350 versus about ~$200 on my 95 Jetta. Ouch. Plus, my water pump went out at 60k which required me to also replace the timing belt and serpentine belt at a $1,250 price tag. That one still stings. Ask me in two more years the answer to my above question. If no more major maintenance, then I will have loved this car - if theres much more, then Id say the costs were not worth the price.

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  $$$$ to own Beware of maintenance costs - 1998 Audi A4
  By JC Milbo - September 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the dealers demo and got the 3- year warrenty. At 45 k, the problems started - front suspension - $ 766 tie rod end and water pump - $ 1245 60 k - rear half shaft bearings - $1400 transmission valve body $ 3200 and now the ABS unit is shot and its back to the shop for another $3000. That is $9611! Parts and service are very expensive! I am selling and cutting my losses. Ill be buying a Honda or Toyota or an American car from now on. What a piece of junk!

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  More power please! - 2004 Audi A4
  By second gen A4 owner - September 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my second A4 (3.0 black ext, black int, with ultra sport package and all options except nav). The car is superb in almost every way - e.g. elegant exterior lines understated, luxuriously appointed cabin superior storage and authoritative passing power. The only realy fault of the car is its not entirely adequate 220hp 3.0 engine. While not anemic, this power plant simply does not have enough muscle to move the A4s considerable weight with any alacrity, especially at starts and lower city speeds (0-45 mph) where it cooperates but not very willingly and with way too much drama. Considering the S4 is USD 12k plus away, the A4 needs more uumph.

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  Totally Sweet!! - 2003 Audi A4
  By LPM - September 1 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun, fast vehicle. I looked at a BMW 330 and felt that the A4 was a much superior vehicle. Not only that, but its a better value!

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  A4 1.8T Quattro - 2004 Audi A4
  By Brthor - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Great dealer.

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  SUV Meets Sports Car - 2004 Audi A4
  By Schiek - September 1 - 2:00 am

  The A4 Quattro is the best perfoming four season vehicle I have ever driven. It handles like it is on rails on twisty roads. It will never slip in the snow.

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  My Third Quattro - Highly Recommended - 1997 Audi A4
  By MarkHG - August 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Audi Quattro (4000Q and 90Q) that I have had for more than 100,000 miles. I have been very happy with every aspect of the car. After 100,000 miles it runs and looks great. The performance and gas mileage have only IMPROVED as the mileage piled up. The Quattro system (and heated leather seats) easily conquers anything a New England winter can throw at me (and I live in the mountains).

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  Awesome car and fun to drive - 2004 Audi A4
  By Jplyman - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun and performs great. I looked at Volvo S60, BMW 325i, and Saab 9-3 Arc this was bye far the best value of these cars. I have 6-speed so the performance is excellent and I dont think you can get any better car for the money.

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  audi a4 ultrasport - 2004 Audi A4
  By bmwr60 - August 25 - 2:00 am

  Tremendous vehicle to drive and practical as well. Previously owned Passat with same engine. The Audi is much more fun to drive and gives great confidence with the quattro all-wheel drive. Beautiful subdued styling with all the things you need, but nothing you dont.

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  02 Audi A4 3.0 - 2002 Audi A4
  By jylatham - August 23 - 2:00 am

  What a fun car to drive, with the manumatic shifter! The fun of a standard, but also the ease and convenience of an automatic transmission. My only complaint about this car is the relatively small amount of storage - pockets in the doors and on back of the front seats, but hardly any room for CDs or sunglasses.