The A4 was, for a very long time, my favourite automobile in its class of entry-level luxurious sedans. Then Audi launched the A5 Sportback, with its deliciously coupe-like profile, sporty efficiency and versatile liftback design, and I have never been in a position to have a look at the A4 the identical manner since.
However that is all subjective. For the driving force searching for a standard compact sedan with a discrete trunk, basic beauty, plus a few of the greatest cabin and security know-how on the highway, the 2018 Audi A4 remains to be one of many most interesting selections in its class.
Quattro? Extremely? Quattro with Extremely?
Like the opposite members of the A4/A5 household, the A4 Sedan is powered by Audi’s 2.Zero-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing a wholesome 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. That torque is sort of accessible, approaching easily and strongly from simply 1,600 rpm, serving to the A4 really feel good and responsive round city and nimble off the road.
However not like the A5 Sportback, which is just supplied with all-wheel drive and an automated transmission, the A4 might be had with three totally different drivetrains.
The A4 Quattro’s turbocharged engine makes 252 horsepower. Entrance-drive Extremely fashions, nonetheless, are much less highly effective.
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Quattro S-tronic
The most effective setup for dynamic efficiency is Quattro S-tronic. The seven-speed, dual-clutch S-tronic transmission is absolutely candy, with well chosen shift factors aiding in fast acceleration and a clean general demeanor. Right here, it is mated with Audi’s glorious Quattro all-wheel-drive system that may ship as a lot as 70 p.c of the engine’s torque to the entrance axle or as much as 85 p.c to the rear. The cut up is constantly adjusted, however all 4 wheels at all times get some share of the ability.
This sportiest configuration is sweet for a Zero-to-60 dash of simply 5.7 seconds earlier than carrying on to a (restricted) prime pace of 130 miles per hour. On the thriftier finish of the efficiency spectrum, you are taking a look at 24 miles per gallon metropolis, 34 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed — not unhealthy for this class, and aggressive with the BMW 330i xDrive (27 mpg mixed) and the Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic (26 mpg mixed).
Quattro with Extremely
A six-speed guide transmission is offered for the A4 Quattro, granting drivers the satisfaction of shifting with three pedals. Nevertheless, this selection additionally comes with a special model of Quattro all-wheel drive. Generally known as “Quattro with Extremely know-how,” that is Audi’s on-demand AWD setup, which defaults to front-wheel drive underneath most situations and solely sends energy to the rear whereas cornering or if slip is detected.
Curiously, this on-demand setup would not save the A4 any gasoline. Metropolis and mixed estimates are the identical because the S-tronic, whereas the freeway estimate drops to 33 mpg. It appears the S-tronic’s further seventh cruising gear provides it an financial system benefit.
Extremely front-wheel drive
Essentially the most environment friendly A4 trim is the purely front-drive “Extremely.” That includes the seven-speed S-tronic gearbox however not the Quattro rear differential or driveshaft, this lighter mannequin climbs to EPA estimates of 27 metropolis mpg, 37 freeway mpg and 31 mixed mpg.
Nevertheless, that added gasoline financial system comes at a efficiency value. On this configuration, the two.Zero-liter engine steps down in energy to 190 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque — prone to maintain traction in examine with half the variety of pushed wheels. The 60-mph dash now stretches to 7.1 seconds; that is nonetheless not too unhealthy for a premium commuter.
A extra relaxed trip
The tuning of the A4’s four-corner, five-link impartial suspension fels a bit milder than that of the A5 fashions. The sedan is extra relaxed and comfy round city and over bumps. On the similar time, it nonetheless feeling good and planted in corners, with the Quattro system serving to to rotate the automobile by every bend with out a lot of the understeer that many AWD programs generally exhibit.
All A4 fashions function lively acoustics that use audio processing and audio system to cancel out undesirable highway noise. This leads to a quieter cabin and fewer driver fatigue on lengthy rides. Nevertheless, this method additionally generates a bit of pretend noise to sweeten the engine be aware when in its sportiest mode. Fortunately, the A4’s system is considerably much less aggressive than the A5 Sportback that I just lately examined, and I recognize that the sedan’s efficiency sounds much less synthetic for it.
MMI Plus tech with Digital Cockpit
A part of what makes the A4 such a terrific each day software is its cabin know-how.
The usual MMI infotainment suite makes use of a 7-inch Nvidia-powered setup manipulated by a bodily management knob on the middle console. Normal Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity lead a beefy listing of digital and analog media sources. Nevertheless, higher trim ranges and choice packages bump issues as much as MMI Plus, which features a bigger eight.Three-inch display, navigation and an MMI Contact controller with handwriting recognition.
Audi’s cabin tech is among the many greatest within the enterprise with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as its crowning jewel.
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The 4G LTE-supported Audi Join service allows gee-whiz options like on-line vacation spot search, native app integrations and Google Earth satellite tv for pc map imagery. And that is not even the good half.
My private favourite tech improve is the accessible Digital Cockpit, a 12.Three-inch digital instrument cluster show that may be custom-made to show all the pieces from conventional gauges and driving data to a big map for navigation. Just about all the main MMI infotainment capabilities might be dealt with right here with easy steering wheel controls, making Digital Cockpit a function price paying for.
Driver help and security options
Audi’s glorious tech would not cease on the infotainment. There’s additionally a strong array of normal and elective driver help options onboard.
For starters, the Audi Pre Sense Metropolis system is commonplace gear on all fashions, rolling in ahead precollision warnings with automated brake help. The system is ready to detect each different automobiles in addition to pedestrians.
Non-obligatory upgrades price contemplating embody adaptive cruise management with site visitors jam help, which not solely maintains a protected following distance in stop-and-go site visitors but additionally provides steering help that mechanically retains the automobile according to the automobile forward and between lane markers. It is a hands-on system; it’ll disable in the event you attempt to go hands-free.
At larger speeds, extra acquainted lane-keeping steering help helps guarantee that the automobile stays the place you need it, however would not try the identical degree of lane-centering that the low-speed system does. It simply retains you between the strains.
Audi’s blind-spot monitoring system is an fascinating one. Not solely does it watch your again throughout lane modifications and whenever you’re reversing out of blind parking spots, it additionally stays lively after you have parked roadside to watch for upcoming vehicles. This automobile exit help system is extraordinarily useful for stopping “dooring” different vehicles and probably cyclists, too. It is a small contact that goes a great distance for security.
Audi’s blind-spot monitoring system helps forestall collisions on the freeway, however retains working when stopped to keep away from “dooring” accidents.
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How I might spec it
The A4 2.0T Extremely is the least-expensive and most fuel-efficient model of the A4 sedan, beginning at $36,000 for the bottom Premium trim degree.
Nevertheless, for these within the “sport” a part of this sport sedan, I like to recommend the S-tronic Quattro. It is obtained extra energy than the Extremely and the very best model of Audi’s all-wheel-drive system for max efficiency. Whereas I am checking packing containers, I might step as much as the Status trim degree, bringing the sticker worth to round $50,000.
That will get you all the driver-aid tech together with adaptive cruise with Visitors Jam Help, all the cabin tech together with MMI navigation and Audi Digital Cockpit and an incredible 755-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
The A4 is among the greatest selections for a standard sedan, however the class-bending A5 Sportback is a extra fashionable, sporty different.
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My 2018 Audi A4 Quattro sedan stands close to the highest of a category that features the aforementioned BMW 330i xDrive and Benz’s C300 4Matic. Efficiency and effectivity for these rivals are all in the identical ballpark, however the A4 boasts a slight worth benefit and by far essentially the most spectacular tech of the three.
These trying to save a couple of dollars or for one thing much less German must also think about the Cadillac ATS or Jaguar XE. As near equally outfitted as we might get these rides, each sticker for 1000’s of lower than the A4. Each include some cabin and driver help tech compromises — particularly the Jag — however every additionally locations extra emphasis on dealing with and efficiency than the extra relaxed Audi, which ought to attraction to extra spirited drivers.
Nevertheless, if I have been searching for a premium sport sedan, Audi’s personal 2018 A5 Sportback Quattro would rank simply above the A4 on the prime of my brief listing. Although not a “pure” sedan, the Sportback does all the pieces a sedan does with only a bit extra aptitude. Each vehicles supply the identical class-leading cabin and driver-aid tech, however the extra versatile liftback design and the engaging, coupelike stance and silhouette of the Sportback are a one-two punch of higher perform and kind than the normal three-box sedan. Sharper dealing with — due to sportier tunes for its suspension and Quattro programs — seals the deal.
You’ll be able to’t actually go flawed both manner; each are glorious (and, frankly, practically equivalent) selections, however I give the sting and the nod to the trendy A5 Sportback over the subdued A4 sedan.