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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  Cupholders Please - 1997 Audi A4
  By jaylay - March 4 - 2:49 am

  Bought this vehicle on the Audi Assured program. A very reliable and a great car. It is fun to drive...but have a few complaints. 1st, oil changes at the dealership are expensive ($65 to $100) and required to maintain the warranty. 2nd, the cupholders are AWEFUL! Note to Audi...Americans like to drink beverages when they drive. The 2 excuses for cupholders on this car will hold a can of soda, and thats it...Other than that, great car that runs smooth and never fails me in the snow.

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  Whats NOT to LOVE?? - 2006 Audi A4
  By Christa - February 23 - 4:30 pm

  This is my first Audi and I love it. I dont see myself ever buying a different make or model. The pick up for a four cylinder is UNMATCHED by any other vehicle. Ive been getting over 30 miles a gallon. The heated seats are amazing and the braking system is even better than the volvos. The A4 handles like a much smaller vehicle, the trunk room is huge.

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  Audi is a pain and Don Rosen is not good - 1997 Audi A4
  By Dissatisfied - February 20 - 12:50 am

  After owning the A4 for only 3 1/2 years, the transmission had to be replaced. This repair could have been made earlier and saved the transmission, but because of a misdiagnosis by Don Rosen it resulted in the total destruction of the transmission. In addition, had the reported problems been diagnosed properly when I reported them it would have been covered under warranty. Luckily, I was able to talk Don Rosen into covering half the cost, but it still cost me $2500.

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  love audi - 2002 Audi A4
  By marc - February 18 - 7:53 pm

  the car is very solid feeling.it also holds the road better than any car ive owned.The brakes are outstanding.there is excellent torque for a 4-cylinder,though there is still some turbo lag.I am still kinda disappointed that power seats are not available on the 1.8,but there are plenty of manual adjustments that help to make up for that.the tiptronic trans overrides your decisions sometimes and shifts a little soft for a sporting car.if you want sporty stick with the manual.

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  Exemplary of Fine German Engineering - 2002 Audi A4
  By Eddi - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Once I sat down in the A4, I was absolutely impressed with the striking interior. All the dials and displays are thoughtfully placed...sans the front cupholder. Nice aluminum trimming, goes well with a dark interior. The engine is smooth and silky, quite refined for a 4 cylinder. Acceleration is slightly anemic, but adequate for commuting. Oh, one caveat with the sound system. The less-honest dealerships might tweak the non-Bose system to get you to prefer the Bose system. Know that the standard sound system with 10 speakers w/ subwoofer and 150 watts holds its own just nicely. I have heard complaints about electrical problems on previous models.

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  Why, Audi, Why? - 2016 Audi A4
  By Stephanie Henderson - February 16 - 5:09 am

  After 11 years, my beloved A4 passed on to another plane of existence. I had always planned to buy another Audi when the time came. I didnt buy this car because for some reason, this Audi cant do what my much less expensive VW can do. I want to connect my phone to my car via Bluetooth and not only get phone calls but also my music, Waze, Spotify etc., to play through the speakers. I cant do this in the Audi unless I purchase the much more expensive package or plug my phone in.. to a cord... in the glove box. No. Just no. Also, CVT transmissions are crap and forced me into a more expensive Quattro to avoid them. Who doesnt want to feel the car shifting? Who likes CVT transmissions?! Also, the back seats dont fold down, theres not even a ski sack like my 2005 had. So, theres no option for a bit more room. I did not buy the Audi. I wanted so badly to buy the Audi but I just couldnt do it. I bought a Mercedes-Benz instead. Im hoping Audi gets it right in the next several years.

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  Learn about it - 2004 Audi A4
  By djh_indy - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Got my red hottie on a sweet lease. The 1.8 is better on gas and fast enough for me. Dont know why you need more, the low end torque is nice and the turbo is not that bad. I really thought about the S4, but really...do who needs to go that fast with a $50K car. Mine gets the looks and is great. Was looking at Acura, MB, BMW, MINI, Infiniti, Lexus, but theres something about the security of the quattro taking a highway curve at 80mph and feeling like you are on rails even in the rain. Oh yeah for jess saland down there, my gas door locks when the doors lock, you might check that.

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  Quiet Child - 2002 Audi A4
  By mdpat - February 3 - 2:00 am

  The A4 is the most underrated sport sedan out there. Its too introverted for its own good. After 10 months of ownership my fondness for the A4 continues to grow. Like the quiet child in the corner, only time and effort brings out the personality within. The A4 is loaded with solid engineering, rides like a vault on four wheels, and tackles twisty roads with amazing alacrity. If you think a certain motor works in Bavaria is the only place that knows sport sedans, do yourself a favor and give an A4 a test. Sometimes the quiet kid is the most interesting.

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  AUDI A4 - 2003 Audi A4
  By pryamleonce - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Just got my Audi a4 two days ago. So far at is has been an enjoyment to drive. We traded in a Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer so we still have to get use to the smaller space. We were also considering the Acura 3.2 TL, BMW 325 I, and the Infiniti G35. The Acura was probably the best value, but I saw pictures of the new model coming out in Fall and felt that this new model will look outdated shortly. The Infiniti G35 was a great car but it lacked the level of interior refinement we were looking for. The BMW was just not a good value.

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  Totally Awesome! - 2003 Audi A4
  By glga4qtro - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Im in the military stationed in Belgium, and travel to Germany and other countries frequently. Therefore, I have the opportunity to drive the car the way some in the US wont. The handling near top speed is outstanding and the car will cruise at 120-130 all day long!! I dont miss the BMW I sold to get this car!! I know I will have issues when I return to the US with this car!