2009 Audi A4
- 2008 Audi A4
- Used Audi A4
Based on analysis of 15 A4 reviews and test drives.
Audi A4 - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Audi A4 ranks 8 out of 17 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 15 published reviews and test drives of the Audi A4, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
Of the three German entry-level luxury sedans, the Audi A4 may be the least well-known in the United States. It’s always held outsider status when stacked up against the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class that so many lust after. But for 2009, Audi has brought us an entirely new A4 that, in many ways, may be a better choice for many buyers.
It's the largest sedan we classify as midsize - intruding on its larger A6 cousin now - but don't let that fool you. On the track, it still offers handling close to what is usually found only on dedicated sports cars. The A4 is available with Audi's famous Quattro All-Wheel-Drive system (which, Audi says, more than 80% of buyers will opt for), which alters the handling equation significantly. The only comparable car at this price point, then, is the Acura TL SH-AWD, with its new AWD system that varies the speed of the wheels to help point the car into turns.
But Audi goes a step further with its new driver-adjustable suspension - something pioneered by Ferrari and usually found only on the most expensive cars in the world. This allows drivers to select performance modes for the car -- giving buyers access to a fuel-efficient commuter when they want it, and an asphalt-rippling sport sedan when the opportunity presents itself. While some competitors now offer similar systems, reviewers often cite Audi's as the best.
Audi is also known for some of the finest interiors in the business, and the new A4 doesn't disappoint inside.
It still trails its German peers when it comes to pure power. The A4 won't win a drag race against a 3 Series or a C Class. The A4's price can climb north of $40,000 with all of the options -- and you'll want most of them. But if you're comfortable with the price, and you understand that a well-made sport sedan earns its keep on a winding road, you can't do much better than Audi's newest midsize car. The top of the upscale midsize class is crowded with excellent cars, but buyers would be foolish not to give this one a look.
The 2009 A4 comes as a sedan, an Avant wagon, or a convertible in 2.0 or 3.2 trim. We review the wagon separately. Buyers should note that the 2009 A4 Cabriolet convertible has not been redesigned, and is the same as the 2008 model.
- "It delivers on all of the promises an entry-level luxury car should. It's opulent inside. It's quick and comes with scads of new technology."-- Detroit News
- "Deliberations are over and we're prepared to deem the 2009 Audi A4 one of the best sports sedans on the market." -- Autoblog
- "The A4 feels like an A8 luxury cruiser that has fallen into a shrinking ray. It's not like the franchise was in danger, but the A4 saves it anyway." -- Los Angeles Times
- "It can't match the raw speed of most of its rivals, but it has a classy interior, excellent handling, and plenty of pep for most owners. It also has better fuel economy (the base model gets 30 miles to the gallon on the highway and 23 mpg in the city) because it's one of the few compact luxury cars offered with a four-cylinder engine. And you can always pay more and get the A4 with all-wheel drive and a powerful six-cylinder engine." -- BusinessWeek
- "At its core, the A4 is still the sport sedan that many enthusiasts love, and the new larger, more mature sedan is now even better prepared to take on its Mercedes-Benz and BMW rivals." -- Motor Trend
- "It's a passionately pragmatic and stylish choice for those clients who find the 3-series too cramped and boisterous and the C-class too conservative in appearance and ability." -- Automobile Magazine
- "I used to drive an A4 from the late '90s, and loved it. But this fourth-generation car is like the college rule-breaker that you run into a few years later: he's climbing the ladder at his law firm, wearing suspenders and drinking single-malt Scotch. If you hang with him now, you'd better reach for your wallet. For the A4, a car that was distinctive and special in the low $30,000 range becomes a trickier proposition as the price soars past $40,000. Buyers had better believe Audi's pitch about the A4 being in Mercedes's league, because the prices certainly are." -- New York Times
A4 Performance - 8.5 (Very Good)
The 2009 Audi A4 steals a page from Ferrari with its Audi Drive Select system. It allows the driver to select from three performance profiles, changing the car from a quiet commuter to an aggressive sport sedan to a solid wet-weather gripper. But the car is still not as powerful as other German luxury sedans. continue
A4 Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)
Reviewers call the 2009 A4 an elegant-looking car. “Its clean, elegant lines are aristocratic,” says the Detroit News, “you almost want to sit in the back seat and let the driver take you to the grocery store.” A few touches drawn from Audi's more expensive cars make the look perhaps a bit more elegant than other cars available for a similar price. continue
A4 Interior - 8.7 (Very Good)
Some reviewers say the 2009 Audi A4’s interior is the best in its class. Edmunds raves, “Few interiors (including the 3 Series and C-Class) seem as well conceived and constructed.” Even Audi's MMI interface -- a single device that controls all climate and entertainment settings -- wins reviewer praise. Reviewers almost never like such interfaces. continue
A4 Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2009 Audi A4 received a perfect score of five stars in every government safety test. continue
A4 Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2009 Audi A4 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Audi provides a four-year/50,000-mile warranty on the 2009 A4. Roadside assistance is included, but Audi's owner support lacks the depth of what some competitors offer. continue
