Overview

What's New for 2021

The A4 sedan comes in three distinct trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

The Premium trim comes with a generous standard features list for around $40,000. The sleek, understated sedan rides on 17-inch forged wheels, with LED headlights and automatic high beams illuminating the path ahead. Lane-departure warning alerts the driver if the car drifts over the line. Automatic emergency braking can help bring the vehicle to a halt before a collision occurs. In the cabin, passengers get soft leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Stepping up to the roughly $44,000 Premium Plus adds an Audi Virtual Cockpit, a configurable 12.3-inch display that replaces the traditional instrument cluster. Also standard is adaptive cruise control, with a low-speed Traffic Jam Assist feature and the ability to keep the vehicle in its road lane. A top-view camera system ensures drivers can get a bird’s-eye view of their car as they maneuver in and out of tight parking spots. The heated steering wheel keeps hands warm on cold days, and a wireless smartphone charging pad makes juicing up the phone a breeze.

At the $50,000 threshold, the Prestige model delivers the full A4 luxury experience. It gets animation for the headlights and tail lights. Both rows of seating are heated, and there is a wireless internet hotspot for mobile entertainment and productivity. The Prestige comes with a navigation system with a 6-month trial subscription to Audi’s Connect Prime and Plus concierge services. A Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system envelopes the cabin with 19 speakers of crisp, clean audio. And to help drivers have as few distractions from the road as possible, a head-up display projects vital information onto the windshield.

The base 40 TFSI motor is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. It connects to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. Audi estimates acceleration from 0 to 60 mph to take 6.3 seconds. The top track speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

There’s another 2.0-liter turbo-4 available, called the 45 TFSI. This one makes 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of just 5.2 seconds.

The A4 has an elegant, straightforward interior that balances practicality and luxury. The controls are well-designed and easy to access. Ventilation is excellent, thanks to air vents stretching the length of the dashboard. The rest of the center stack is uncluttered, with the automatic climate controls and little else. Above the dash is a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, operable by touch or from the steering wheel. The Audi system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Apple phone users don’t need to plug in their devices to connect. Upper trim levels have amenities like surround-sound, wireless charging, and navigation.

Beige, black, brown, and grey interior color schemes are available. Brown walnut decorative inlays come standard on the 40 TFSI, and Grey Oak is a no-cost option. The latter is standard on the 45 TFSI trims. Brushed aluminum trim is available for a sportier feel. To get it, shoppers must choose the S Line package, which adds a black interior, simulated suede, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals.

The A4’s cargo area is smaller than average, at 12 cubic feet. The back seats can fold to create more space. Inside the cabin, the headroom and legroom is average for the compact sedan class. Back-seat occupants get a touch more leg space than in competitors. In-cabin storage is adequate, with a locking glove box, a small console bin, door bins in both rows, four cup holders, and seat-back nets.