Better than: Lexus IS 250
But not as good as: BMW 335i
GRM Bang For The Buck Index: 72.56
The Audi A4 has grown in every dimension since last year's model. It has also become more luxurious than before--the seats in our test car were among the most comfortable we've tried in a long time. Material quality was evident in all of the components. If you're taking your mother-in-law to the airport, this car is sure to impress.
While the A4 doesn't completely forgo driving pleasure, the newest car doesn't have the sporting character we had come to expect from the model. In particular, we found the Tiptronic gearbox a bit lacking, especially around town.
For those who want something different than the more common BMW 3 series or Lexus IS, there's the Audi A4. Personally, I have really become a fan of the VW and Audi 2.0T engine. It’s quick, sporty and, when in the S mode, quite fun to drive. Don't let the number of cylinders scare you, as it’s deceptively quick.
I wouldn't call the driveline perfect, though, as we had some off-the-line hesitation from the Tiptronic transmission—like a second or so, enough that we’d be a little concerned for our safety. The VW/Audi DSG transmission would have been preferred.
Some more pluses and minuses:
Final thought: The $32,700 starting price and $38,000 as-delivered cost seemed kinda high until I built a comparable Lexus IS 250 AWD.
View all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
