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The Audi A4 was first introduced as part of Audi's range in 1994 and has had five generations of the model in production since then. The current generation has been available since 2015 after its launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Since it's launch it's then expanded to include the A4 Avant, the S4, and the RS 4 to give you options for equipment, style, and power, making it an ideal option
Our Audi A4 review will guide you through the latest model to help you decide which is best for you and your needs.
The current Audi A4 has two different body styles available: saloon and estate, which is named the A4 Avant by Audi.
With redesigned bodywork it sets an all time record in the class for low drag. These changes included mounting the door mirrors directly onto the door panel rather than just at the junction with the quarter so that more air can glide smoothly across the car.
It's also been given new lights, wheels, bumpers, and doors, in fact from the previous design it's really only the roof, the bonnet, and the boot lid that are exactly the same from the original 2015 launch model.
Like many other models in the Audi range, the A4 has seen a huge upgrade to its infotainment system. There's now a large 10.1 inch high resolution touchscreen at the top of the centre console of these Audi models which houses the infotainment system as well as the integrated sat nav and Audi Connected Services.
There's also Audi's Digital Cockpit as standard across the Audi A4 too. This is a fully coloured 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster that allows you to adjust the display to show whichever information is most important to you. It encompasses your speed, a 3D navigation map, Audi Connect Infotainment Services, radio and media information, driver assistance systems, and telephone and car settings.
Alongside the tech upgrades you'll also have plenty of storage space. In the front there are lots of small integrated storage pockets, two big cupholders, and the door pockets are deep enough to hold a drinks bottle. The rear seats also have these large door bins, their own cupholders, and a storage tray, the latter two are tucked away in the centre armrest.
Both the Saloon and the Avant offer 1039mm of headroom in the front seats but it's the latter that has more for passengers in the back row, 971mm against the Saloon's 953mm. The difference comes from the way in which each model's roof line is designed, with the Saloon model sloping much earlier than the estate styled Avant model.
Opting for the saloon models will give you 460 litres of boot space with all five seats in use. The A4 Avant has 495 litres in the same set up. If you fold the rear seats in both models you'll have up to 1495 litres, making either suitable for a family trip to the airport or a big day shopping. The 40:20:40 split make sit even easier if you need to manoeuvre passengers and luggage.
The A4 Saloon and the A4 Avant share the same four petrol and diesel engines, meaning that you don't lose out for choosing one body style over the other.
The standard engine option for the A4 is the 35 TFSI, a 2.0 litre petrol engine with 150PS. You can expect a combined mpg of 45.6 and CO2 emissions of 141 g/km. Overall a fairly average offering from Audi.
The second petrol option is the 40 TFSI, again a 2.0 litre engine but with 204PS. As a result of the additional power you do see a slight drop in fuel economy with the combined mpg dipping to 44.8 and CO2 emissions rising slightly to 143 g/km.
For the diesel options there is the 35 TDI, a 2.0 litre with 163PS, which is a little more powerful than the petrol equivalent. It also performs better in terms of fuel economy too with a combined mpg of 58.9 and CO2 emissions of 125 g/km.
The top diesel engine is the 40 TDI, a 2.0 litre engine capable of 204PS. Again the boost in performance reduces its fuel consumption a little to 53.3mpg and increases the CO2 emissions to 138 g/km. The biggest difference between this and the petrol 204PS engine is the 0-62mph time. For the 40 TDI you can expect a time of 7.1 seconds compared to 8.5 for the 40 TFSI.
The 35 TFSI, 35 TDI, and 40 TFSI engines are all front wheel drive whilst the 40 TDI is the only four wheel drive Alternatively if you're looking for a more powerful option then the Audi RS 4 and S4 models offer as much as 341PS.
On the A4 Saloon and the A4 Avant there are 4 trim levels: Technik, Sport Edition, S Line, and Black Edition.
The Technik offers 17 inch alloy wheels, a new design rear diffuser, the high-gloss package which gives the roof frame and windows trims in aluminium and the B-pillar trims and triangular rear doors trims in black, windscreen with acoustic glazing, LED headlights and LED rear lights, LED daytime running lights, and door mirrors which are auto-dimming, electrically folding and adjustable, and heated with built in LED side indicators.
Inside you'll have standard cloth seats with manual lumbar adjustment but these are heated front seats that also have 4 way electric lumbar support. There's also three zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, cruise control, and keyless go to make your life easier.
The infotainment system is now housed in a 10.1 high resolution touch screen system which works in tandem with the 12.3 inch Audi Digital Cockpit to provide a comprehensive display for media, navigation, and driving information. You'll also have a 36 month subscription to Audi Connect Infotainment Systems which allows you to look up online services such as weather, fuel prices, and points of interest through third parties such as Google Earth.
The Sport Edition adds 18 inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, a black exterior styling pack, sport front and rear bumpers and side skirts, side sill trim in body colour, rear diffuser in matt titanium black, tailpipe trims in matt aluminium silver, front sport seats in twin leather, and the LED interior lighting pack.
From there the S Line upgrades to 19 inch alloy wheels, sport suspension which lowers the car by 23mm, high beam assist, dynamic rear indicators, high gloss roof frame and window trims in aluminium, B-pillar trims and triangular rear door trim in high gloss black, body-coloured door mirrors, S Line front and rear bumpers and side skirts, front spoiler lip in body colour, S Line rear diffuser and badges on the front wings.
The front sports seats have the S Line logo embossed into the leather/Dinamica alongside inlays in matt brushed aluminium, a 3 spoke multifunction steering wheel with perforated black leather grips with the S badging, headlining in black cloth, stainless steel pedals and footrest, contrast stitching throughout the cabin interior, and illuminated door sill trims with the S logo.
Finally, the Black Edition adds 19 inch diamond cut alloy wheels, black Audi rings and model badging, Audi Beam which uses LEDs to project the Audi logo on the ground when you exit the car, metallic paint as standard, inlays in piano black, and a flat bottomed steering wheel.
Additionally it has the black styling pack which gives you the radiator grille and frame, front and rear air intakes, window trims, door mirror housings, S model rear spoiler, and S line side skirts in high gloss black. The Avant will also have black roof rails.
The Audi A4 was awarded a five start safety rating by Euro NCAP in 2015. Whilst this has expired it's history shows that this rating was valid on every model, including the the most recent facelifted version. It's expiry doesn't mean that it's no longer a five star rated car, just that after 6 years Euro NCAP require a complete retest to make sure that it complies with any changes in their process.
It's rating places it on par with cars known for their exquisite safety record such as the Volvo V60 and others like the Mercedes C Class and the Jaguar XE.
This rating comes from great safety equipment that is standard across the range of Audi A4 models. This includes a pop up bonnet for pedestrian protection, electronic stabilisation control with ABS, ASR, and EDL, light and rain sensors, a 6-airbag system, multi-collision brake assist, hill-hold assist, and Audi Pre-sense city.
An Audi A4 Saloon starts at £35,240 for the Technik trim level before moving to £37,785 for the Sport Edition, £38,345 for the S Line models, and then £39,670 for the Black Edition. The A4 Avant offers the same trim levels with entry pricing ranging from £36,640 for the Technik to £41,070 for the Black Edition.
For comparison, a Mercedes C Class starts at £44,240 for a saloon and £46,155 for an estate and the Jaguar XE starts at £32,205 but has no estate option. The Audi A4 fits neatly in between two giving you a great in between.
Meanwhile the S4 ranges between £50,905 and £60,505, the S4 Avant ranges from £52,305 to £62,380, and the RS 4 Avant will start between £70,275 and £88,470.
Opting to change any of the options from what is standard, such as increasing the engine size or changing the fuel type, will cause the entry prices to increase accordingly so you need to take it into consideration when using an online configurator to choose your next car.
The greatest thing about the Audi A4 is that you choose which style is best but don't have to lose any of the other great equipment or trim options. So whether you need a saloon style for the family or estate car practicality to get the dogs in the back, the A4 is a great choice.
For more information or to book your test drive, please don't hesitate to contact our knowledgeable and helpful teams at our Audi sites in Aberdeen and Dundee.
