The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Impressive ride and handling
- High-tech cabin
- Strong turbo engines
- Semi-rugged Allroad
- Zippy S4
Dislikes
- No high-performance version
- Bland looks
- Touchscreen can frustrate
- Somewhat small trunk
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2023 Audi A4 is nowhere near as boring as its styling might suggest. These are fun, balanced cars, loaded with tech.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Audi A4? What does it compare to?
The Audi A4 lineup of sedans and wagons (including the S4 and the A4 Allroad) offers a decent amount of luxury for the money. Compare them to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others.
Is the 2023 Audi A4 a good car?
The 2023 Audi A4 lineup offers up a good infotainment system and lots of driver-assistance tech as a reasonable entry point into Volkswagen’s luxury brand, helping them overcome bland styling for a TCC Rating of 6.3 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2023 Audi A4?
The A4 range sees minor tweaks this year including wider availability of adaptive cruise control and newly standard LED headlights.
Audi sells several vehicles as part of the A4 family: a traditional A4 sedan, sportier S4 sedans, and the A4 Allroad station wagon. All share clean, conservative looks with good proportions and few surprises. Work your way up the ladder and S4 and RS4 models wear chunkier body kits and bigger wheels, while the A4 Allroad slaps on flared fenders and a higher ride height for quasi-SUV capability.
The A4 40 and A4 45 use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 201 hp or 261 hp, respectively, while the S4 uses a 349-hp turbo V-6. Models with the 4-cylinder use a 7-speed automatic, but the S4 has an extra cog. All models have good handling and a comfortable, taut ride. What Audi doesn’t offer is a direct rival for the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz C63; it leaves that duty to the related RS5 coupe and hatchback.
Fuel economy is quite good with the 4-cylinder at a high of 28 mpg combined. There’s no plug-in hybrid here, though.
These cars have conservative but comfortable cabins loaded with big touchscreens that can intimidate at first glance. Even base cars are well-outfitted, and all models boast great crash-test ratings.
How much does the 2023 Audi A4 cost?
The 2023 Audi A4 starts at about $41,000, though the $2,100 upgrade to the more powerful A4 45 is worth the spend. Now that adaptive cruise control can be had on base cars—called Premium, in Audi-speak—the mid-level Premium Plus with its upsized wheels, surround-view camera system, and digital instrument cluster is less tempting.
Where is the 2023 Audi A4 made?
In Germany.
2023 Audi A4 Styling
The 2023 Audi A4 pushes no styling boundaries.
Is the Audi A4 a good-looking car?
It’s right in the middle, we think. The 2023 Audi A4 is a cleanly styled sedan that simply blends in, especially when painted in one of several silvers and grays the automaker offers. It’s a 5 on the TCC scale, especially when compared to the curvy Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the sporty Cadillac CT4.
The A4 wears Audi’s traditional shield-like front grille, which has different inserts for S4 and A4 Allroad versions. Standard LED headlights up front have good detailing, though they make little overall styling statement. The A4 is just as pleasantly forgettable from the sides and rear. A4 Allroads offer the most expressive style with their high-riding suspensions and unpainted fender flares.
Inside, the A4 has a low dash that stands out mostly for the curious integration of its touchscreen display. Imagine an iPad bolted to an otherwise conventional dashboard and you’re on the right path.
2023 Audi A4 Performance
The 2023 Audi A4 excels when it comes to its ride-and-handling balance.
Audi offers three engine choices in the 2023 A4, all of which provide good acceleration. Throw in terrific suspension tuning and we land at a 7 for Performance.
Is the Audi A4 4WD?
Yes, all A4s are all-wheel drive. The A4 Allroad sits up about an inch higher than sedans, which gives it a little more clearance for snow or dirt roads. Its standard adaptive dampers are one of its prime assets, though, for the way they smooth out an already comfortable ride.
How fast is the Audi A4?
That depends on what engine is bolted underhood. The base version is called 40, and it includes a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 201 hp. Step up to the 45 (it’s worth it) and you’ll unlock 60 more hp from the same basic engine. (Allroads come in 45 guise.)
The 4-cylinder is refined and quick, and it works well with the 7-speed automatic in most situations. Occasionally, though, the transmission can hunt for gears at lower city speeds.
Opt for the S4 and you’ll find a 349-hp turbo V-6 paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This near-perfect setup delivers thrilling, if not quite scintillating, performance.
Audi fits a slightly firmer suspension to 45 models, while wheels larger than the standard 18-inchers can tighten things up even more. They all ride well, though, and they are fitted with accurate, light steering. The S4 can go a step farther with its optional sport-tuned rear differential that helps sharpen response in hard cornering and adaptive dampers that take the edge off of its firmer ride.
2023 Audi A4 Comfort & Quality
The 2023 Audi A4 has a comfortable cabin with upscale trim.
Though its design may not thrill, the Audi A4 has a comfortable, well-appointed cabin. We rate it a 7, with points above average for its good front seats and its nice materials.
The A4 comes with leather seats and wood trim even in its base configuration, which sets it apart from most rivals with synthetic trim and no shortage of painted plastic. Sportier seats with beefier bolstering are optional on the A4 45 and standard on the S4.
Rear-seat riders have OK legroom, but a big driveline hump cuts significantly into the middle rider’s space.
The 13.0 cubic-foot trunk is on the small side, but the A4 Allroad counters that demerit with nearly twice that space and a maximum of 60.0 cubic feet worth of cargo space with the 40/20/40-split rear seatbacks folded.
2023 Audi A4 Safety
Top safety ratings make the 2023 Audi A4 a great choice.
How safe is the Audi A4?
Top NHTSA scores, a high rating from the IIHS, widespread availability of crash-avoidance tech, and excellent outward vision all work in the 2023 Audi A4’s favor. It’s a 9 on the TCC scale.
The A4 earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and all versions scored a nearly perfect report card from the IIHS, with Prestige models earning a Top Safety Pick due to their LED projector headlights.
Standard fare includes automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warnings. Adaptive cruise control comes on the Convenience package available on Premium models. It’s standard elsewhere.
2023 Audi A4 Features
The 2023 Audi A4 can be a good value among luxury sedans (and wagons).
Audi packs quite a bit of tech into every version of its A4. We rate the lineup at 7 out of 10 thanks to good standard fare and plentiful options. The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is par for the luxury segment, but the exclusion of scheduled maintenance excludes it from earning a point.
Base cars cost about $41,000, including a $1,095 destination fee. The Audi A4 40 Premium comes with a sunroof, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen fitted with wireless Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto.
The Allroad runs about $46,500, though it comes with the uprated 45 engine good for an extra 60 hp.
Which Audi A4 should I buy?
If you’re good with a sedan, the Premium in 45 guise (an extra $2,100) fitted with the $2,500 Convenience package (adaptive cruise control, keyless start, active lane control, parking sensors, and a few other niceties) can be a solid buy for about $45,600.
The Premium Plus trim level adds most of the Convenience package as well as Bang & Olufsen audio, a surround-view camera system, 18-inch wheels, and a digital instrument cluster. Figure close to $48,000 to start.
How much is a fully loaded Audi A4?
The S4 starts at $53,500 but can climb toward $70,000 with the top Prestige trim level, adaptive dampers, and a sport rear differential.
2023 Audi A4 Fuel Economy
Stick with the base engine and the Audi A4 can be quite frugal.
Is the Audi A4 good on gas?
It’s not bad. Base cars are rated at 24 mpg city, 33 highway, 28 combined. The more powerful engine in the A4 45 is slightly thirstier, the EPA says. Figure 24/32/27 mpg.
Allroad wagons ride a bit higher and weigh more, so they slide slightly to 23/30/26 mpg.
The S4 is the surprise of the group. It’s quite powerful for a car rated as high as 21/30/24 mpg.
All versions except the S4 rate a 3 on the TCC scale.
