The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Fun to drive
- Good turbo power
- High-tech features
- Decent value
Dislikes
- Boring styling
- Where’s the RS4 sedan?
- Maybe too much touchscreen tech
- Tiny trunk
Buying tip
features & specs
Though not a styling standout, the 2024 Audi A4 lineup impresses for its sophistication and tech.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Audi A4? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Audi A4 compact car lineup consists of sedans and a wagon version with plenty of tech, various levels of turbocharged punch, and sedate styling.
Is the 2024 Audi A4 a good car?
While hardly thrilling to behold, the 2024 A4 range offers approachable tech and reasonable pricing. This broad lineup stretches from mild to potent, with the A4 Allroad wagon serving as an intriguing SUV alternative. The lineup rates a 6.5 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Audi A4?
All A4 models now include adaptive cruise control, active lane control, automatic parking, and a heated steering wheel. Minor tweaks have also been made to the available navigation system.
Most A4s are pert sedans with clean, innocuous styling. They’re blend-in cars, at least compared to the voluptuous Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A4 Allroad models wear a wagon body with a long roof, and they add chunky fender flares and a higher ride height for a quasi-SUV look.
Inside, look for simple lines almost too easy to confuse with Volkswagens. Nice materials justify price tags, though.
Power-wise, the A4 40 and 45 models use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 201 hp (A4 40) or 261 hp (A4 45), which delivers power to all four wheels via a 7-speed automatic. The hi-po 4-cylinder also does duty in the Allroad. The S4, meanwhile, swaps in a 349-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6, which doles out power to each corner via an 8-speed automatic. Audi lacks a rival for the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz C63 in the A4 lineup. That’s the place of the RS5, which doesn’t come in a sedan configuration.
Even the least-powerful models are peppy, though the stretch to the 45’s extra 60 hp is worthwhile. Fuel economy impresses at nearly 30 mpg combined in 4-cylinder form. Don’t look for a hybrid, though.
S4 models predictably handle the best, but no A4 is a slouch when the road turns curvy. The A4 Allroad has SUV-ish looks and a hint of capability, but it’s really meant more for cruising through deep snow on the way to Aspen or Killington.
The 10.1-inch touchscreen inside offers access to tons of tech, including wireless smartphone mirroring. All models have leather trim and a sunroof, plus power and heated front seats.
Safety-wise, the A4 range is nearly perfect especially thanks to this year’s newly standard crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech. Crash-test scores impress.
How much does the 2024 Audi A4 cost?
Audi wants around $43,000 for the cheapest A4, though the more powerful A4 45 runs a reasonable $2,200 more. (It also adds some sporty-looking styling bits.) Our money would be on the more practical A4 Allroad, which costs $48,000 or so in base form. And with this year’s equipment additions, that’s about as far as we’d go.
Where is the 2024 Audi A4 made?
In Germany.
2024 Audi A4 Styling
Audi is at its conservative best with the A4.
Is the Audi A4 a good-looking car?
It is if you don’t want to raise any eyebrows. There’s no bad angle on the 2024 Audi A4, but there’s also little here to thrill. We rate the lineup at a perfectly fine 5 out of 10.
Sedans have a conventional three-box shape that breaks no ground. The overall look here hasn’t changed much since 2016, and even then it kind of looked like its predecessor. Up front, look for a big shield-type grille and headlights with a complex design. A low belt line gives the side profile a bland look but works well for outward vision. Pert taillights leave no lasting impression.
The A4 range is most interesting in Allroad form, which takes a typical long-roof wagon shape and adds chunky unpainted trim for a rugged vibe.
Inside, the low dash is punctuated by a vertical touchscreen that doesn’t look quite as well integrated as some of Audi’s more recent designs. Still, it’s nice to have conventional knobs and buttons for climate controls. Also, Audi offers some beautiful paint colors and upholstery hues for shoppers looking to branch out.
2024 Audi A4 Performance
The Audi A4 range hits a home run in terms of ride and handling.
Audi’s A4 range offers a comfortable, composed ride in any form. Add in sharp handling and we land at a 7 for the range’s performance.
Is the Audi A4 4WD?
Yes. all models come with all-wheel drive. A4 Allroad models are an inch higher off the ground than other models, though that’s not enough for any sort of serious four-wheeling. Standard adaptive dampers on the A4 Allroad are a nice addition, too, for the way they help the suspension smother bumps even better.
How fast is the Audi A4?
Base models shuffle just 201 hp to all four corners. We’d step up to the A4 45 (standard on the Allroad), which means a 261-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbo-4 offered across a wide range of Audi models. It’s smooth, quick, and frugal, and it works well with the snappy 7-speed automatic transmission. If we can complain about anything, it’s that the 7-speed can sometimes shuffle too much between gears at low speeds.
The S4 includes a 349-hp 3.0-liter turbo V-6 teamed with an 8-speed automatic. It’s downright fast, albeit without the punch shoppers looking for the ultimate in compact sedan performance might want. (If that’s your thing, Audi will ask you to pony up for the very pretty RS5.)
Ride quality is an A4 highlight, regardless of wheel option selected. Models with the S Line appearance package have a slightly firmer ride, but there’s no rough version here.
Quick-witted steering adds to the appeal. S4 models go for broke with an optional sport-tuned rear differential to make acceleration out of a curve an even more sure-footed affair.
Be sure to budget for winter tires if you live where it snows, though.
2024 Audi A4 Comfort & Quality
Somber but organized, the A4 has a nice interior.
Audi doesn’t make it exciting, but the A4’s interior is comfortable and organized. We rate it at 7 out of 10 due to comfy seats up front (they’re heated and power-adjustable, too) plus impressive materials.
Even base cars have real wood trim and standard leather seats, which makes the A4 feel classier than nearly all of its rivals. Some models have seats with slightly more bolstering, so try before you buy if your shoulders are especially broad.
Rear-seat passengers will find acceptable legroom so long as they’re not in the middle seat. The big driveline hump means precious little space there.
Sedans have a bite-size 13.0 cubic-foot trunk. A4 Allroads are the antidote with a cargo area that opens up to 60.0 cubes with the second row seatbacks flopped down.
2024 Audi A4 Safety
The 2024 Audi A4 is a top safety choice among compact luxury sedans.
How safe is the Audi A4?
We think it’s a great choice. It scores a 9 out of 10 thanks to good scores from the NHTSA and the IIHS, plenty of standard crash-avoidance tech, and great outward vision.
This year, all models now include active lane control and adaptive cruise control in addition to the expected range of driver-assistance tech such as automatic emergency braking and automatic high-beam headlights.
The NHTSA rates the 2024 A4 at five stars overall, while the IIHS calls it a Top Safety Pick+.
2024 Audi A4 Features
More tech this year means the 2024 Audi A4 is a pretty good value.
If you’re after a high-value compact luxury sedan, the Audi A4 delivers.
The lineup got a bit pricier this year, but Audi includes more features. The range now starts at $42,395, which buys leather seats that area heated and power-adjustable up front, a sunroof, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and adaptive cruise control.
The 4-year/50,000-mile warranty is typical for a luxury car.
Good standard equipment and a big touchscreen help the 2024 A4 score a 7 on the TCC scale.
Which Audi A4 should I buy?
Bypass the base model and spend $2,200 for the A4 45, which offers up 60 more hp paired with a slightly firmer suspension and 18-inch wheels.
If we’re shopping with your money, though, we’ll spend it on the A4 Allroad at $47,995. Base Premium trim is good enough for us. You could spend the additional $3,600 for the Premium Plus with its digital instrument cluster, Bang & Olufson audio, and blind-spot monitors, but we’re fine with the cheapest model.
The only head-scratcher is that Audi pairs keyless start with blind-spot monitors and a memory driver’s seat in a pricey $1,400 Convenience package.
How much is a fully loaded Audi A4?
The A4 costs $54,895 to start in Premium trim, and it tops out at $62,195 as the Prestige with its matrix headlights, head-up display, uprated audio, navigation, and wireless charging pad. Add nappa leather, blacked-out exterior trim, adaptive dampers, and a sport rear differential, and Audi will want just shy of $70,000.
2024 Audi A4 Fuel Economy
The 2024 Audi A4 can be pretty frugal if you’re not a lead-foot.
Is the Audi A4 good on gas?
It’s not bad. The most efficient model is the base 4-cylinder, which boasts EPA estimates of 26 mpg city, 35 highway, 30 combined. That’s a 4 on the TCC scale.
So far, A4 45 models have yet to be rated but are likely a notch or two lower. The extra weight and higher ride height will likely nudge A4 Allroad wagons down even more. Last year, the S4 topped 30 mpg on the highway, which is good for a sedan with this much power.
