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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  Never again - 2001 Audi A4
  By Konrad - September 3 - 11:50 am

  I bought this car when it was 3 year old and had 51000 miles on it. After 6 months it started to break: ABS module, power window mechanism in 3 doors, leaking oil in engine (repair costs over $1000) oxygen sensor (another $1200, big problem to find right sensor), rear tail light, glovebox shaking all the time, even the horn didnt work, engine light was on all the time. Car is very nice, handling and performance is great, but buy it on your own risk.

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  You Get What You Pay For - 2007 Audi A4
  By KP - August 30 - 8:06 am

  I shopped all the brands in this price point, thought the BMW was too small and cramped, thought the Lexus was just too boring, and the MB a little too old. I like the ride, handling, mpg, price and stereo in this car. The price came in under all the competition and the complementary maintenance was very nice. However, I have not been able to enjoy it since out of the first 39 days of ownership, its been in the shop for 23 days. I dont know if I got a lemon, or this is indicative of Audi quality. Either way, I do not recommend this car and I wont be buying from Audi again for a long long time.

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  My New Audi 2007 A4 2.0T Review - 2007 Audi A4
  By Brad - August 28 - 10:30 pm

  I really have a hard time describing to non-Audi Quattro drivers, the experience of Audi Quattro. In the wet, snow and ice this all wheel drive saves you in so many situations, and this system does this in a manner in which the driver has no clue - it just works. This is not four wheel drive, as I have often heard the neophyte describe controlled power to four wheels. On dry pavement, this is total smart control - Quattro is an all wheel computer controlled drive, perfected over 25 years and banned on many race circuits because of its dominant superiority. With seamless traction, like a Cheetah coupled with an engine that is FSI turbocharged and inter-cooled race bred in an everyday spo

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  Probably the best car I have owned - 2004 Audi A4
  By Bill - August 26 - 9:14 am

  Over the 3 and 1/2 years I have owned this car, it has been nearly flawless. One repair under warrantee to replace the catalytic converter. The 1.8 has sufficient power and delivers excellent gas mileage for an AWD vehicle. The AWD really delivers in heavy rain and is adequate in snow providing you drive sanely.

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  The Dream Car - 1997 Audi A4
  By Chris Hernandez - August 26 - 5:53 am

  From the first day that I test drove the Audi I fell in love with it. Performance, luxury and comfort were all as promised. Its very fun to drive and exterior is a work of art. Thanks Audi for making great cars year after year.

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  Dont Do It - 1998 Audi A4
  By RJ - August 24 - 7:47 am

  I loved driving this car. After a while, things started going wrong. Swing arms, tie rods, wheel bearings, speed sensors... this car cost me thousands over 4 years - just to keep it on the road!! Quattro is amazing and this car is extremely fun to drive. Beware, though, because it will cost you a fortune in the long run. I will never buy Audi (or European for that matter) again. Audi has destroyed my faith in "German engineering" - or lack thereof.

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  A Great Automobile - 2006 Audi A4
  By Neil - August 22 - 7:44 pm

  My beauty is Moro Blue with beige interior. Options include premium pkg, technology pkg, sport pkg, vavona birch trim, Bose XM stereo. This is my second A4, the first was an Amulet Red 2002 1.8T w/manual shifter (I miss that color, wish it was still available). So Cals stop and go traffic necessitated my first automatic in 27 years. Although I miss a manual at times, I love the CVTs seamless shifting. After 17 months of truly enjoyable driving, this car has been flawless and it seems to get better with each mile driven. The car adapts to your driving style and fits like a glove. I love passing those monster SUVs getting 12 mpg, while Im averaging 35 mpg! This A4 is a great automobile.

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  Tempest In A Tea Cup - 2007 Audi A4
  By Sean - August 22 - 3:30 am

  Being a previous owner of a Passat, I was not particularly excited about taking delivery of this car. I was a BMW zealot (and still have a late model bimmer parked next to the Audi) but got excited, very excited about driving this car! The Quattro is a godsend - much better than X-drive. The fit and finish is superb. The creature comforts well matched. This car is a winner. Its dichotomous nature is aptly suited to both the executive who thinks he could drive in a rally and to the retiree who likes a sport tuned suspension with the confidence of knowing they have all-wheel ability. One will not be disappointed with this car. Enjoy and cheers.

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  A true sports wagon - 2008 Audi A4
  By Keith - August 21 - 12:02 pm

  Looked for a wagon (not SUV) with some style and performance, settled on the A4 with 6-spd and am extremely happy so far. This car is as fun to drive as my 325i (and much more than my CLK430) and can carry stuff to boot. I have had no reliability issues after 3 weeks. I know this isnt the final word, but no horror stories. So far I get about 25 mpg around town (suburbs, not city) and more like 29 hwy, a little less if I feel like having fun. It is not really a lightweight car so this seems acceptable. Interior is very quiet and comfortable, my first 5-hour road trip flew by. Cant wait to see what quattro can do in the snow.

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  Drop the 3 and the C, go for an A! - 2004 Audi A4
  By Gato - August 19 - 9:06 pm

  I bought my A4 Ultrasport used with about 36000 miles, and since June Ive added another 2500. I drive all over the the Southeast and I love it, good gas mileage balanced with good performance. I do agree though it lacks in low end torque, nothing a light ecu upgrade cant solve. I want to design cars, so Im pretty critical when it comes to automobiles. After driving a E320 for a while, I joined the Audi revolution. In my search, I drove 3 series models, IS 300, C320/230 K, and the T5 Volvo S40. In the end I found the Audi was the best. Cheaper upkeep than the other Germans, and better build quality than Volvo and Lexus. Join The AUDI revolution!