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:

• 

  Solid Car but Know it well - 2001 Audi A4
  By Damsaudi - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the car with 118,000 km,knew it needed a few things when I got it but was excited to get such a nice solid car.Have replaced everything on the entire vehicle within a year ($25,000)mostly replacing with performance parts but only when needed. The car always pulled strong in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, little weak in 4th and 5th with stock turbo, but throw in a k04 and a tune and it really gets interesting. Fuel economy will surprise you, rip hard on it and a tank (60l) will be gone in 300 km, but cruise on the highway and expect close to 850-900. Small electrical things pop up but online there are many helpful resources to troubleshoot. Its a maintenance intensive car but with care reliable

• 

  Audi, good for a boat anchor - 2009 Audi A4
  By LAST AUDI FOR ME - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Our 2009 A4, 2.o ltr is our 2nd leased Audi. We liked the larger size compared to our 2006 A4. Our honeymoon, however, was short-lived. The car consumed more than one qt of oil prior to the 1st dealer oil change. By the 15k change, the car consumed more than 4 quarts. There was also an issue with a leaking water pump and a throttle gizmo that caused uneven idling. Now taking the car back and forth to the local dealer to "confirm" the oil consumption. 4th trip today. The dealer did say that Audi of America is going to say oil consumption of 1200 miles/quart of oil is "normal." The center LED brake light now broke too. Car is a piece of crap! Buyer/lessee beware! Last Audi for me.

• 

  Still love the car - 1999 Audi A4
  By Car Guy - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Audi 2.8 AWD car with 70k on it about 5 years ago. I have had the usual issues that "all" Audi consumers experience. Control Arms, brakes Axel wheel bearings and tie rods. Skid plate clips broke away so I removed it in the spring, and by the summer the AC compressor had failed because of water and other road elements. I am also convinced that older Audis dump engine exhaust heat into the cabin which annoying in the summer. With all that, you would think that I strongly disapprove of the car but on the contrary, I love the performance, AWD, winter and summer driving is always fun and plan to purchase my 7th one this winter. before you buy ask about timing belt, suspension..

• 

  106K miles and no problems yet - 2003 Audi A4
  By abrammicah - October 31 - 2:00 am

  My A4 wagon has been the best vehicle Ive owned. Its comfortable, gets great gas mileage, and looks like a million bucks. I perform regular maintenance like changing the oil and brakes, timing belt at 100K, etc, and the car takes care of the rest. Only once did I have a trouble (engine stuttering) and the cost to fix the issue was $150. I bought this car used and the value for the price has been incredible. Its safe and peppy. I have no complaints.

• 

  Super car - 2006 Audi A4
  By GREAT CAR - October 30 - 2:00 am

  I really love this car. If you read these peoples reviews with their broken down audis, you must understand if you dont take care of your car it will break especially used ones. I get 23 mpg very very low maintenance on the car I couldnt be happier.

• 

  re: update 1/10 "from the outside..." - 2009 Audi A4
  By Lisa - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Well, I loved my Audi A4 but I had to trade it for a larger and more comfortable car. I traded it for a SUV. Size: People are not able to sit in the back of the car comfortably. Its a sports car with back seats added to it to make it look larger. Try to fit a car seat in the back with another child & you will be sorry because it will not work. I am also 9 months pregnant and I was upset every single day over the lack of quality care that the Germans put into the comfort of this vehicle. The driving experience was nice & I really liked both the interior and exterior look of the car. I never had any mechanical problems with the car and the gas mileage was great.

• 

  2009 A4 Burns Oil - 2009 Audi A4
  By K - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my A4 back to the dealer 4 times for excessive oil consumption. Theyve gone as far as replacing all of my pistons/ring (took 30 days) to complete and it still consumes about 1 qt. every 1500 miles. Power steering hose is on recall so had that repair completed at the same time and had to take it back again for the power steering hose. This car looks awesome but just isnt very well built I have confronted Audi and they say it is NORMAL for a car to burn up to 1 qt. every 1000 MILES. This would be 9 quarts of oil between oil changes. My 1997 Explorer with 185K miles didnt go through oil like this.

• 

  Solid little car - 1999 Audi A4
  By b5 obsessor - October 24 - 2:00 am

  So after my Saab 9000 died, I got my little Audi, and I have been loving itt since. Ive put a couple of thousand miles on it, and I love it. Quattro has actually saved my life, and the car is definitely one of the most solid feeling cars that Ive ever been in. I love how this car has attracted a cult of modders, if I ever need anything, I just go on the forums and do the diy, the 1.8t is vital, and the automatic just kills the whole experience because turbo+manual+quattro= some slightly illegal amazingness.

• 

  Fun to Driver - 2007 Audi A4
  By Denver Dubreuil - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Love my car, not entirely perfect but so much fun to drive, I had problems with the window and sunroof but took it to the dealer and fixed it with no problem. Car stops on a dime. The breaks are amazing. Slow off the line but once the turbo kicks in its a pretty quick car. Handles really good as well. Lots of room in the trunk. Not too roomy in the backseats though. Also burns through a lot of oil but it doesnt bother me to much just no your going to need a new quart every 2500 miles. All in all though I love this car

• 

  Acceleration lag is a SAFETY WARNING - 2007 Audi A4
  By TA Johnson - October 22 - 2:00 am

  I have LOVED this car, when going up hills. Its acceleration and cornering are beyond compare. But, when pulling out from a stop sign, or merging into traffic, it is downright dangerous! There is a lag between the time I accelerate and the actual time the car decides to move. Audi says the car adjusts to the driver and his/her habits to improve gas mileage. I cannot sacrifice safety for gas mileage. I cant count the number of times my A4 would not get up and go. Before having this Audi I had never experienced this type of problem. I cannot in good conscience recommend an Audi to anyone who wishes to remain alive.