The Audi A4 is a medium executive car, with the styling and classy interior you would expect from the top vehicles in its class. It represents a real contender to offerings from its German rivals, and undercuts them in price.
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Latest Audi A4 Car Reviews:
The 1.8 TFSI 120 SE is a great, inexpensive saloon, particularly if the car is not for long distance driving. The diesel engine is more efficient, but more expensive, so whether the car is given en...
The 1.8 TFSI S line is a good, economical car with a great engine that vastly improves on the 120ps version. However, the S line upgrade from the SE is not necessary unless you really want the spor...
The 2.0 engine is a great performer with an economic engine (although the diesel is a better investment if you clock up a lot of miles). The SE trim is, in terms of value, the best option because i...
This is a great four-wheel-drive saloon with loads of power and impressive performance. However, all this comes at a cost and the S line trim is an unnecessary expense over the SE trim version, whi...
The A4 2.0 TDI SE is a great car, with a powerful engine and impressive performance. On top of that, it is fantastically efficient. The pick of the A4 range.
Audi A4 Overview
The Audi A4 is available either as a saloon, avant (estate) or allroad quottro (4WD estate), with S-Line versions of the saloon and avant available, whilst previous generations of the A4 have also offered a cabriolet version.
The A4 seems to appeal more to owners that are concerned with overall image, rather than the best driving quality available, due to the cars less than class leading ride. That’s not to say that it isn’t good, just that it doesn’t quite match up to the driving fun you experience in a 3 Series. The larger wheels and firmer suspension of S-Line models can make the ride a little bumpy.
The interior is spacious and well thought out. It offers the build quality that everyone has come to expect from an Audi, and oozes style. The buttons can appear confusing at first, but once you get used to the layout this shouldn’t be a problem. Whilst the seats are adjustable to suit all sizes of driver, the offset pedals can make getting comfortable a bit of an issue. The room in both the front and rear is plentiful, more so than in previous models, making this a practical family car. In addition the A4 offers a large boot, capable of carrying most cargo.
Safety is a top concern in the A4, and it received the 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2009.
Background
The A4 first appeared in 1994, based on Volkswagen’s B platform, and was the successor to the Audi 80. The original model was very similar in appearance to the VW Passat, with which it shared the platform, and an estate version appeared a year after its initial introduction. The first generation received a facelift in 1997 before it was replaced in 2001.
The second generation design was heavily influenced by the second generation A6, which first appeared in 1997, and was a great success. 2003 saw the introduction of the A4 Cabriolet, which replaced the discontinued Audi 80 based convertible.
A new generation entered production in 2005, with the prominent front grille being the most noticeable styling update. This grille was again inspired by the A6, similar to the previous A4. The second generation also saw the introduction of the RS4 in not only the estate (Avant) model, but also the saloon and cabriolets. After its replacement this generation was redesigned and rebadged, and went on to be produced as the Seat Exeo.
The fourth generation was made available as a 2009 model car. It is offered as a saloon or estate, with the removal of the convertible option. There is also no RS model, although the S-Line remains available for both body styles.
Summary
The A4 is a well-designed executive car, suitable for use as a family vehicle due to its roomy interior and spacious boot. The new bold grille really sets it apart from previous models whilst giving it superior looks and style. The high build quality and lower price than competitors make it a viable alternative to a BMW or Mercedes-Benz.
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