Audi A4 Review 2026

The Audi A4 is a premium saloon that goes toe-to-toe with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE. Exceptional cruising refinement, impressive interior build quality and a generous standard kit are all major pluses. The latter includes Audi's superb Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display, along with a slick 10.1-inch touchscreen for controlling infotainment. The relatively frugal engine line-up includes a trio of petrol and diesel models with a 2.0-litre capacity and varying power outputs, but as yet, no plug-in hybrid model. It's available with two- or four-wheel drive, although the quattro models are expensive, and is offered in either Technik, Sport, S line, Black Edition and Vorspung trim levels. It's a polished all-rounder that has few flaws.

The Audi A4 is a premium car that demands few compromises from its owners. Now in its fifth iteration, it has been locked in a fierce battle for control over company car parks and suburban driveways for 30 years.

This competition with its closest rivals - the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class - has turned all three cars into incredible all-rounders, with stunning interiors, low running costs, and impressive on-board technology.

Traditionally, the 3 Series was the driver's choice, the A4 had the nicest interiors and the all-weather security of four-wheel drive, while the Mercedes struck a nice middle ground. Now however, the differences are more subtle, with exterior design and brand image playing a bigger role.

The strangle hold these three models have on the premium company car market has made it very hard indeed for solid left field alternatives such as the Volvo V60, Jaguar XE, and Lexus IS to get a look in, despite each having their own likeable qualities.

First launched in 2015, the current model was given a major facelift in 2019. The makeover included fresh styling that cribbed notes from the larger A6 and A8 saloons, and a paired back engine range.

Both the 3.0-litre V6 diesel models and entry-level 1.4-litre petrol were dropped, leaving buyers with a choice of four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol and diesels, each available in three states of tune. All of the engines are smooth, flexible performers with competitive running costs, and the more powerful cars come with four-wheel drive.

The interior remains a real highlight, with a modern and minimalist design that features high quality materials throughout, seamlessly integrating the impressive array of new on-board technology.

Buyers can choose from five trim levels: Technik, Sport, S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. Even the standard Technik comes amply equipped, with a spec-bump compared to the old SE that includes sat-nav, heated seats, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch set of digital dials that Audi calls its 'Virtual Cockpit'.

Add to this long list a set of front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, and satellite navigation, and it seems hard to understand why anyone would need to upgrade to the pricier models, apart from their increasingly sporty exterior styling kits.

For a four-door saloon, the A4 is pretty practical too, with a decent boot, folding rear seats that split 40/20/40 and room for four adults to travel many miles in relative comfort. However, family buyers and those who need to regularly carry more should opt for the A4 Avant estate, a roomier version that we've reviewed separately.

The A4 excels on the motorway, where its hushed engines, supple ride (as long as you avoid the stiff sport suspension) and excellent cabin refinement make it a relaxing companion on longer trips. It handles winding roads with strong grip and reassuring poise, but several rear-driven rivals are a bit more fun in this regard.

Its premium pricing (it's expensive compared to the mechanically similar Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat) is offset by decent residual values and low running costs, with the cleanest 2.0-litre diesel models capable of achieving well over 50mpg in real-world conditions.

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Audi A4 review.

The A4's handling will vary depending on the trim you choose, as it comes with three different suspension setups.

Technik and Sport models are equipped with slightly softer springs and dampers, and ride well over bumps, but lean a little into corners. S line and Black Edition have a lowered setup that (combined with their larger alloy wheels) makes for a firmer ride on broken or bumpy roads, but control their body movements better.

Still, you can request the standard 'Comfort Dynamic' setup as a no-cost option on the pricier models to avoid the harsh ride (which we recommend) or if the sporty looks are a priority, pay extra for Adaptive Sport suspension, that while firm, has a comfort setting that means less nasty vibration is transmitted to the cabin.

On wet roads, the front-wheel drive models can struggle to bite out of slow or off-camber corners, where the quattro models will grip and go, but neither is as entertaining through turns as the rear-wheel drive 3 Series.

The current Audi A4 range had its broad selection of engines trimmed somewhat due to new emissions regulations, but there should still be a version to please most budgets. Power outputs range from 136PS to 245PS, with an even split between petrol and diesel and the most powerful of each getting four-wheel drive. 

On the petrol side, the entry-level 35 TFSI has a 2.0-litre capacity and a modest 150PS output. That is just about enough to avoid feeling underpowered, but you'll need to shift through the six-speed manual gearbox regularly to make progress or climb steep roads.

The 40 TFSI uses a 190PS version of the same engine, paired with an automatic transmission, and is considerably more relaxing and responsive to drive as a result.

For buyers covering higher daily mileages, any of the 2.0-litre diesels will be suitable. Those keen to keep their costs down and company car buyers should opt for the 136PS 30 TDI, but private buyers are likely to prefer the 35 TDI with 163PS, since it's over a second quicker covering the 0-62mph dash. Both engines are a little boomier than their petrol counterparts at motorway speeds, but are otherwise very refined indeed.

A seven-speed S tronic gearbox is standard on all models except the 35 TFSI, and while it's smooth enough when driven gently, it can be slow to kick down through the gears when you want a bit more oomph.

Older A4s of this generation came with a pair of 3.0-litre V6 diesels that were even more refined and smooth than the four-cylinder cars, but currently the only option for those after pulse-quickening performance is the S4.

The current A4 was crash tested by European safety body Euro NCAP in 2015, and receiving the maximum five star rating. It scored for 89% for adult occupant protection, a lower rating than the Jaguar XE (92%), Mercedes C-Class (92%), and BMW 3 Series (97%) but did a better job of protecting children than most.

Every model comes fitted with automatic emergency braking, which stops the car for you if it senses an imminent collision, and the optional Driving Assistance Pack adds road sign recognition, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, which can follow the car in front at a safe distance and ease the stress of traffic.

Saloons are not the most obvious choice of towing vehicle, but if you do plan to regularly tow then one of the four-wheel drive diesels will be the best suited to this task.

The A4 40 TDI quattro has 400Nm of torque that is available from low in the rev range, and the added grip and security of an extra pair of driven wheels. So specified, the A4 weighs in at 2160kgs, meaning an impressive braked towing capacity of around 1800kgs.

Four-door premium saloons are not known for their practicality but the A4 is surprisingly roomy inside. The space for rear-seat passengers is generous, with more leg and head room than in the previous A4 - so adult occupants will be more than happy sat in the back, even on longer trips.

Fitting three across the rear bench will be a tighter squeeze however, with the person sat in the narrow middle seat required to straddle a wide transmission tunnel. 

The boot has a generous load volume of 480 litres, but the saloon body style does limit what you can carry compared with a hatchback or estate.

That capacity is on a par with its nearest rivals, but the A4's load bay is well shaped to make it easier to lug bulkier items inside, and once you fold the rear seats flat the overall volume expands to 965 litres - big enough for several suitcases or even a road bike.The only drawback is that unlike on some of the A4's rivals, you can't drop the rear seat backs automatically with the pull of a lever.

Material quality is excellent and the fit and finish are impeccable. All the switches and dials feel slick and are precise to use, and even the entry-level Technik models feature smart aluminium dash inlays and soft leather on the key touch points.

Unlike on the larger A6 saloon, full leather upholstery is not standard across the range, but comes in from the Sport trim upwards, while S line models are trimmed in a mixture of leather and Alcantara. In fact, only one of the A4's many rivals comes close to matching it for either material quality or fit and finish: The BMW 3 Series.

Cars like the Audi A4 often double up as a mobile office, so it comes loaded with plenty of features designed to keep you connected on the go.

From 2019 onwards, the standard infotainment system was upgraded to include a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen in centre of the dash, and a 12.3-inch digital driver's display that Audi calls the 'Virtual Cockpit'. It's a slick system that includes satellite navigation powered by Google Maps, DAB radio, Bluetooth, eight speakers, and smartphone connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

On previous models you could control most of the key functions using a scroll wheel close to the gear shifter but Audi removed this feature in the recent facelift, and the touchscreen is less intuitive to use while driving.

The starting point to Audi A4 ownership is £29,505. That sum will secure you a 35 TFSI in the Technik trim and it's equipped with a 2.0-litre 150PS engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. For the same car fitted with the smooth seven-speed S tronic automatic transmission, that entry price rises to £31,055.

Upgrading to the Sport model will set you back £31,180, while the S line is priced from £32,730 without any optional equipment. Paired with the same 35 TFSI engine, the generously equipped Black Edition will cost from £34,005 with a manual gearbox, while the auto-only range topping Vorsprung model starts at £44,205.

Switching to the diesels, the least powerful 30 TDI (with a 136PS 2.0-litre engine and S tronic auto gearbox) begins at £32,255 in Technik trim.

Go for the Sport model and it'll cost you £34,930, while the S line begins at £36,505. It's a small step up to the £37,755 Black Edition, but the fully loaded Vorsprung starts from £46,405.

On paper, this stacks up well compared to its closest German rivals, with the BMW 3 Series range starting at £29,840 for a 318i, and although the Mercedes C-Class begins at £28,035, that's for a lower spec 'S' model, with the comparable SE petrol model starting at £30,675.

Other competitors, such as the Jaguar XE and the Volvo S60, both have much higher starting points, due to their more powerful engines, and higher kit levels.

Since it's been on sale for a while now, there is plenty of choice on available in the second hand market. Pre-facelift A4s with just a few thousand miles on the clock can now be secured for as little as £18,000 for the 35 TFSI. Prices for the 35 TDI (in the now defunct SE spec - without navigation) start from as little as £20,000.

If you are looking to spread the cost out with a finance deal, then Audi offers the A4 Sport 35 TFSI S tronic for £369/month over a four year deal, with a customer deposit of £5270.87.

This deal includes a generous £4,250 dealer contribution, metallic paint, and has an annual mileage limit of 10,000. Use the same deposit and contract length on a Technik 30 TDI diesel instead, and you'll be paying £342.38 per month.

When tested under the new WLTP rules, the 30 TDI Technik proved to be the most frugal in the range, with official figures between 54.3 - 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 134-137g/km, rising as you change the trim level or up the alloy wheel size.

As you'd expect, the petrol models use a little more fuel fitted with the same gearbox (the manual is less efficient) with the 35 TFSI S tronic returning a claimed 42.2 - 42.8mpg and emitting between 150 - 153g/km.

This should be closer to a real-world figure than the old NEDC test, but visit Real MPG for a clearer picture.

Despite its premium image, the A4's excellent standard safety equipment means it should be relatively cheap to insure, with entry-level models sitting in insurance group 23 (of 50). Mid-range engines in pricier S line trim stay under 30, while the performance-oriented S4 diesel flagship sits in group 42 and will be most expensive.

As a brand, Audi ranks 18 out of 36 in the HonestJohn Satisfaction Index, which might be an indication of reliability issues over a long term period of ownership that are not obviously apparent on newer models.

Most buyers will find everything they need readily available in the Technik models. It might be the most affordable A4, but includes three-zone climate control, bright LED headlights, heated front seats, the impressive 10.1-inch infotainment screen and Virtual Cockpit display, plus all round parking sensors.

However, many people are attracted to the brand for its sporty image. For these buyers, the cosmetically upgraded Sport and S Line versions, with their larger wheels (and in the S line, lowered suspension) will be the most desirable.

Choosing either upgrades the front seats to more thickly bolstered items, while the most expensive Vorsprung version comes with almost every option box ticked - great for those who can afford it. 

Highlights of the flagship edition include an electric sunroof, thumping sounds system, extra safety kit and Audi's Matrix LED headlights, which can alter their beam pattern to prevent the lights dazzling other drivers.