Audi A4 – What you need to know

For as long as the Audi A4 has been in existence, and even before that, when it was the Audi 80 or even the original Audi Fox, the mid-size passenger car has represented affordable prestige in a right-sized package.

In recent years, however, the A4’s market appeal has diminished in the face of the challenge from SUVs, including the Q5 from Audi’s own stable.

But for those who still prefer sedans and Avants (wagons), the fifth-generation Audi A4 line-up received a significant upgrade in August 2020.

Longer and wider than its predecessor, its changes include a new grille, slightly puffed-out guards and a lower shoulder line. Mild-hybrid technology (MHEV) is utilised in the four-cylinder petrol engines offered, along with the latest driver assistance, multimedia and safety technologies.

Variants available include 35 TFSI, 35 TFSI S line, 45 TFSI quattro S line, Allroad 40 TDI quattro, Allroad 45 TFSI quattro and S4 trim levels.

Now we’ve whetted your appetite, let’s take a closer look to discover the one that nails the sweet spot.

At $55,900 (plus on-road costs), the Audi A4 sedan 35 TFSI features the following standard equipment:

• Leather-appointed upholstery
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Sports suspension
• Three-zone air-conditioning 
• Electric driver’s seat
• 10.1-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Three-zone climate control

Premium paint adds $1990 to the price of Audi A4 variants except for the S4, where it’s standard.

Several option packs are offered.

The assistance package for the 35 TFSI adds adaptive cruise control and active lane assist to keep you in your chosen lane, while ‘pre-sense front’ warns of a potential collision and ‘collision avoidance assist’ helps the driver take evasive action.

Also included are auto high beam headlights and turn assist monitoring oncoming traffic, to avoid collisions when turning right. This pack costs $2470 altogether.

An assistance plus package is available for the 35 TFSI S line, 45 TFSI quattro S line, Allroad 40 TDI quattro and Allroad 45 TFSI quattro. It adds head-up display, park assist (self-parking) and a 360-degree camera to the assistance pack and costs $3770 more. 

Also available for these two variants is an S line interior pack comprising Nappa leather seat trim with S embossing, brushed aluminium garnish, stainless-steel pedals, black cloth headlining, LED lighting with 30 colour hues, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and gear shifter. This pack costs $2730. 

Sedan buyers can also select the $3770 carbon and black package that features carbon interior garnish and, on the outside, carbon on the mirror caps, rear spoiler and black exterior accents.   

All Audi A4 variants come equipped with eight airbags, anti-lock brakes, the usual electronic aids of stability and traction controls, and tyre pressure monitoring.

Also standard are primary safety systems such as lane change assist with blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention assist, autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian protection.

Add to that Audi’s rear collision pre-sense that automatically tensions the seatbelts and shuts all windows and the sunroof (if fitted), plus the exit warning system that alerts occupants to pedestrians and cyclists before they open the doors.

However, Audi’s front pre-sense and collision mitigation up to 250km/h is only standard on the S4. By choosing this model you also get a 360-degree camera, active lane assist, adaptive cruise control and, for those who stress about parking, only the S4 twins offer (as standard) auto park assist and turn assist to avoid collisions when turning right.

A 10.1-inch infotainment touch-screen sits front and centre on the dash of the Audi A4, providing access to navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, traffic information with alerts, parking information, the local weather, Google services, free-text searches and even fuel prices.

Wireless phone charging and DAB digital radio are also standard across all variants. 

Step up to the 35 TFSI S line or either Allroad model and you’ll be looking at Audi’s configurable 12.3-inch digital virtual cockpit.

An eight-speaker audio system is found in the 35 TFSI and 35 TFSI S line, with the 45 TFSI quattro S line and Allroad variants gaining two more speakers and a six-channel 180W system.

But if you want your tunes to sound like a concert hall the S4 has a 19-speaker system with a 16-channel amplifier and 775W of power.

Do you like the look of a leather steering wheel with shift paddles? That comes standard in the 35 TFSI S line and both Allroad models, along with a frameless, auto-dimming interior mirror and illuminated S line or Allroad door sills.

Exclusive to the Allroad models are sunblinds for the rear door windows, but all Audi A4 variants have front and rear LED lights with dusk-sensing headlights featuring auto high beam and rain-sensing wipers.

Though all models offer leather seat upholstery as standard, and the front chairs feature power-adjustable lumbar support, a move up to the TFSI 35 S line or Allroad variants adds a power function to both front seats, plus extendable thigh support.

The A4 Allroad models, like the TFSI 45 quattro S line, also have a memory function for the driver’s seat and aluminium interior trim. The 45 TFSI quattro S line gains gloss black interior garnish and an adjustable centre arm rest.

But if you want ‘S’ embossed and patterned leather sports seats with massage functions in the front seats as well as man-made leather draped over the door arm rests and lower console, plus brushed-aluminium trim and three-stage heated front seats, go straight to the range-heading S4.

Do you want the convenience of heated, power-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, with a dipping function on the left side when reversing? Then head over to the 35 TFSI S line. To have the exterior mirrors with a memory function so you aren’t having to adjust them all the time, you only have to move up one step to the 45 TFSI quattro S line.

But if you want privacy glass, a head-up display and aluminium-encased exterior mirrors, the S4 is the one you want.

While all models offer a choice of driving modes via Audi drive select, only the S4 offers adaptive suspension, letting you alter the ride and handling from comfort to dynamic. And only the S4 comes with ‘S’ logo red brake callipers.

The A4 Allroad models standout from the others with their matte grey lower bumpers, 46mm higher ground clearance and 18-inch alloy wheels hiding under extended wheel-arches, while all other models ride on 19-inch alloys.

The Audi A4 offers several drivetrain options. Both the 35 TFSI and 35 TFSI S line sedans are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder engine with 12-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 110kW/270Nm. Drive is through the front wheels via a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Powering the 45 TFSI quattro S line sedan is basically the same engine as the 35 TFSI but with a boost to 183kW/370Nm. This model also has a seven-speed S tronic auto but drive is to all four wheels.

The S4 drives all four wheels but boasts an eight-speed tiptronic auto and a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, for output of 260kW/500Nm.

Just one diesel engine in the range is to be found in the Allroad 40 TDI quattro: a 2.0-litre unit bolted to a seven-speed S tronic transmission driving all four wheels.

If you want the identical hybrid power and performance of the 45 TFSI sedan and wagon but in the Allroad body, tick the box marked Allroad 45 TFSI quattro.

The Audi A4 35 TFSI feels a bit too entry-level for my liking, so I would opt for the 45 TFSI quattro in an Avant (wagon) body.

Not only is it the substantial amount of extra tech, safety, comfort and convenience features that lure me, but also the extra urge from the powerplant.

However, if I wanted to treat myself, I’d hand over my hard-earned for an S4 Avant, which delivers effortless long-distance cruising, urban practicality and a solid dose of sporty performance for when the roads become interesting to drive.

How much does the 2021 Audi A4 cost?
35 TFSI sedan – $55,900
35 TFSI S line sedan – $59,900
45 TFSI quattro S line sedan – $68,500
45 TFSI quattro S line Avant – $71,000
S4 sedan – $99,500
S4 Avant – $102,000
Allroad 40 TDI quattro – $69,900
Allroad 45 TFSI quattro – $72,600
* Prices exclude on-road costs