The Audi A4 has been in a long-running rivalry with the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class for the top of the podium in the executive car class. It’s received some heavy updates along the journey, not least a revised infotainment system and more efficient engines, both petrol and diesel, benefiting not only the environment but also its drivers’ bank balances. But before we delve too deeply into the A4, let’s check in with its key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £35,000–£60,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £13,000 / £254–£262 a month |
| Trims | 7 |
| Engines | 5 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel |
| mpg range across all versions | 40–59 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £2,100 / £4,400 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £4,300 / £8,700 |
Equipment, options and extras
The Audi A4’s entry-level Technik trim gives you power-folding door mirrors, 17in alloy wheels, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, keyless start, front and rear climate control, parking aids, LED headlights and infotainment features. For a basic trim, that’s not to be sniffed at.
That being said, you might still want to opt for the Sport Edition, with its leather seat trim, privacy glass, 18in wheels and sports front seats. Or the S Line might pique your interest: think an even firmer sports suspension than in the Sport Edition, as well as 19in alloys and leather and Alcantara seats. Then there’s the Black Edition, characterised by its styling details that are, well, black. And finally there’s Vorsprung, which comes with everything: heated rear seats, Nappa leather, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and a sunroof. It’s also worth noting that there’s little scope to add individual options to the A4, so you may end up going without entirely unless you’re prepared to spend a big extra chunk on changing up to a higher trim.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The Audi A4 is more expensive than its non-premium rivals like the Volkswagen Arteon, Volkswagen Passat and Škoda Superb. On the flipside, though, it’s predicted to hold its value well, and its resale value should equate to that of the BMW 3 Series and surpass that of the Mercedes C-Class. That means its PCP finance rates will stay competitive, although of course this will vary depending on what deals Audi and its competitors are offering at the time.
If you’re a company car driver, you’ll know that a vehicle’s official CO2 emissions and P11D value are the critical factors determining the BIK tax paid on it. When it comes to the A4, the diesels emit the lowest CO2 and are all RDE2-compliant, meaning they don’t entail the new 4% diesel surcharge. That’s slightly negated by the fact they’re pricier (and therefore have a higher P11D value) than the petrol. But then you might also consider the plug-in versions of the A4’s rivals, which can substantially lower your BIK tax. There are lots available, including the Mercedes C300e, Passat GTE and BMW 330e—but currently there’s not actually a plug-in version of the A4.
Lastly, when it comes to fuel economy, most A4s are roughly on par with their counterparts in the 3 Series or C-Class, and are superior to the Jaguar XE. Perhaps the best of the bunch in this regard is the 35 TDI, which averages just under 60mpg. The best petrol engine is probably the 40 TFSI, which averages just under 45mpg.
Safety and security
Euro NCAP awarded the Audi A4 five stars out of five for its ability to protect occupants in a crash. Even so, its protection specifically of adults isn’t as good as that of the Jaguar XE and 3 Series, but it does do a slightly better job of keeping children safe than the XE.
All versions of the A4 have automatic emergency braking as standard, helping to prevent low-speed shunts. Then available on certain trims is the Driving Assistance Pack Tour, which adds into the mix road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. All versions also have six airbags as standard, with the option of adding rear side airbags. The Vorsprung trim includes blind-spot monitoring.
Reliability
The Audi A4 comes with a 3-year, 60,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty, which includes roadside assistance. And for a reasonable price you can extend that to 5 years or 90,000 miles.
The Car Planet verdict
The latest iteration of the Audi A4 looks sharp on the outside and boasts one of the best interiors in the executive car class. While its competitor the BMW 3 Series might be a marginally better all-rounder, and definitely offers keen drivers bigger thrills behind the wheel, the A4 is a more comfortable drive, especially if you go for the Technik trim and the 35 TDI diesel engine, which is quick, smooth and economical.
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