2008 Audi A4 Safety Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]

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Safety - What the Auto Press Says

The 2008 A4 includes a long list of active safety systems to help avoid an accident, and excellent protection in the event of one. Plus the sedan performs well on government and insurance industry crash tests.

In federal government crash tests, the Audi A4 earns four out of five stars for protecting both the driver and front passenger in frontal crashes. In a side impact crash tests, it earns five out of five stars for protecting front seat passengers, and four out of five stars for protecting backseat passengers. The A4 also receives a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awards the 2008 A4 sedan the highest rating, "Good," in both frontal offset and side impact crash tests. These high scores led the IIHS to name the A4 sedan a "Top Safety Pick" in its class for 2008.

• "If you're going to get creamed in a car, might as well make it an Audi A4. That's because it's one of the safest cars on the road, according to data we consulted in forming this year's list of most sound autos. Joining it at the top is Acura's RL and Saab's 9-3. All three get the highest-possible marks for safety from three of the four most respected sources of such data: Consumer Reports, the Department of Transportation, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). -- Forbes
• + "Quattro gives an extra measure of all-weather grip." -- Consumer Guide
• Motor Trend editors found Audi's Electronic Stability Program with integrated Traction Control performs well in 2005 skid tests. "This ESP system features a brake disc wiping function that keeps the rotors dry on wet roads even if the brakes haven't been applied for a long distance. The brake linings are pressed against the disc at regular intervals, although the driver never knows or feels it." -- Motor Trend
• Car and Driver tested the A4's swiveling bixenon headlights. "If you're expecting to delight your friends with these amazing swiveling beams, forget it. The effect is so subtle no one will notice. But the light pattern nicely illuminates far to the sides even when going straight ahead, which is the whole point of high-performance lights." -- Car and Driver