^®

why ads?

Popular at KBB.com

10 Best Road Trip Convertibles

2010 Audi A4

Please enter a valid mileage

View all 4 photos

Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Audi A4

Overview

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Audi A4 Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

While Audi's lineup has increased over the years, the A4 Sedan and Wagon (Avant, in Audi-speak) has remained the German automaker's volume leader, thanks to its ability to blend spirited driving performance with supreme passenger comfort. Although other midsize luxury sedans – like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Infiniti G Sedan – may have been the headliners in recent years, the capable A4 has always been there, biding its time in the wings and waiting to swiftly enter stage right. Finally, it deserves the spotlight again: debuting last year with bolder exterior styling, a more spacious interior, a re-tuned 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged TFSI engine and an enriched list of available content, the 2010 Audi A4 is ready for its close up.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a midsize luxury sedan that appeals to drivers with its on-road performance and to passengers with its well-designed interior, the 2010 Audi A4 deserves your attention. Class-leading fuel economy, a noteworthy list of standard equipment and a reasonable starting price certainly don't hurt, either.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Although the 2010 Audi A4 is nicely packaged, it can still climb above $50,000 territory when fully-loaded – more than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Lexus IS. The A4 has also grown significantly since its introduction in 1996, somewhat changing the feeling of driving a small, lithe performance sedan.

What's New for 2010

The 3.2-liter V6 engine has been dropped from the lineup. Other than this, changes for 2010 are limited to some reshuffling of content. Bluetooth and Homelink are now packaged together as optional equipment on Premium models, while Premium Plus and Prestige trims gain LED taillights. Prestige models feature standard 3D navigation and the Bang & Olufsen premium audio system is now optional on the Premium Plus.

Driving the A4

Driving Impressions Thanks in part to a wider track and longer wheelbase, the 2010 Audi A4 Sedans and Wagons we drove felt well-balanced on the road and extremely comfortable inside. The fuel-thrifty...

and nearly lag-free 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line four definitely offers a lot of bang for the buck; we just wish the excellent six-speed manual was available on all models, not just the quattro Sedan. Inside, the vehicle's new wheelbase translates to more rear legroom, allowing adults to comfortably sit in the back seats for long periods of time, a huge improvement over the previous generation A4.

Favorite Features

Welcoming Interior
There's nothing like the welcoming feel of supple and supportive leather seats, touch-worthy surfaces and intuitively placed controls to make being a passenger inside the A4 just as pleasurable as getting behind the wheel.

Bang & Olufsen Sound System
Standard on Prestige trims, this stellar 505-watt, 10-channel, 14-speaker sound system is a welcome addition to the A4's interior for those who want to listen to their MP3s and CDs loud, really loud.

2010 Audi A4 Details

Interior

Audi's careful attention to touch-worthy surfaces, ergonomically-placed controls and supportive seats makes just sitting inside the A4 an experience. Although it does offer some fun extras – like the impressive 505-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system – the A4 is equipped at base level to meet most people's needs. The trunk of the A4 Sedan boasts an impressive 16.9 cubic feet of space, but those wanting more will find a better fit in the A4 Avant: With best-in-class cargo room, a reversible cargo floor, luggage retainer set and electric tailgate, this wagon can be customized to suit a number of needs.

Exterior

The 2010 Audi A4 is longer, stronger and (dare we say it?) sportier than the previous generation A4. Up front, a short front overhang highlights the A4's long hood and typical oversized Audi grille in stone gray or high-gloss black. Those who wish to draw even more attention to the A4's front end can opt for the bi-xenon headlights with R8-like LED daytime running lights. Rounding out the A4 2.0T Premium's look are standard seven-spoke 17-inch wheels, while moving up to the Prestige model nets flashier five-spoke 18-inch wheels or optional 19s.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The A4 offers up to three well-equipped trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Premium vehicles include a Multitronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), electric parking brake, sunroof (panoramic on the Avant), automatic climate control, Audi Multi-Media Interface with 6.5-inch screen, leather seats and a 180-watt 10-speaker sound system. Moving up to the Premium Plus/Prestige trims brings bi-xenon headlights with R8-like LED daytime running lights, three-zone climate control, an iPod interface and a six-disc in-dash CD player. A Bang & Olufsen 505-watt sound system and 3D navigation is standard on the Prestige trim. All trims come with six airbags and electronic stability/traction control. Quattro models also come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.

Optional Equipment

When it comes to outfitting the 2010 Audi A4, most options are tied to trim level. The Premium trim offers Bluetooth and Homelink, while opting for Premium Plus permits acquisition of the Bang & Olfusen sound system, a hard drive-based navigation system and a rearview camera. Audi's most desirable options are tied to the Prestige trim and include the S-line styling package, Audi drive select (adjusts the steering, suspension and shift points), driver assist package (side assist monitor, rearview camera and rear ultrasonic parking sensors) and 19-inch wheels. A few options are available regardless of trim, like rear side airbags, quattro all wheel drive and Tiptronic automatic transmission with or without paddle shifters.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Audi A4 offers only one engine choice: a direct injection, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (known as TFSI). The A4 can be equipped with three different transmissions, including a Multitronic Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT), a six-speed manual and a paddle shifter-equipped Tiptronic six-speed automatic. Unlike many of its competitors, Audi chose to furnish its base model with the CVT and not the manual transmission, thereby boosting fuel economy to best-in-class ratings of 23/30 city/highway mpg.

2.0-liter in-line 4 turbocharged
211 horsepower @ 5300-6000 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1500-4200 rpm
EPA City/Highway Mileage: 23/30 (FWD, CVT), 22/30 (AWD, manual), 21/27 (AWD, automatic)

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. see your car's value

Buying this car?

2010 Audi A4 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 69 Ratings for the 2009 - 2012 Audi A4 models.

Review this car

Value

8.9/10

Quality

9.3/10
Reliability

9.1/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.4/10

Great Driving Experience, look deeper though

By Cullen (OH) on Sunday, April 15, 2012

I owned and sold this car - My approximate mileage is 46,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 5

"First off, let me say that yes, this is a terrific car to drive. It does not have much power, but once the turbo kicks in it is great! The legendary Quattro makes you feel like you are stuck to the road. The i-Pod interface is also very user friendly. It is also a head turner. People see you in this car. Pros: - The driving is great. Quattro Grips and goes! - Again, Quattro in the Snow. It is one of the best cars that I have driven in the snow, and I have a Jeep too. You can drive like an animal in the snow and Quattro and Traction Control will keep you inline. - The iPod interface is easy to use. - The steering is nice and light in parking lots but sensitive when it needs to be. - Braking is nice and firm, gives you a lot of confidence in an emergency. My complaints: -IT BURNS OIL! This was a brand new car. It should not burn oil. I have talked to other people and this is a common problem across the lineup. Every 3k miles you have to put a quart in of $8 oil. I can not get a straight answer from the dealers either as to why it burns oil. They just respond with "it is how the engine was designed." - The controls for the heated seats and air are unnecessarily complicated. They did away with the picture of the man and the arrows for the airflow and I still have no idea what the new symbols mean. - Gas mileage is not great for a 2 liter engine. Cruising at 75 MPH you will average about 27. My Acura did 31 and had 70 more HP and 2 more cylinders. - Audi Service is expensive ( $100 for an oil change and tire rotation) - Even when you elect to manually shift, it will shift before the redline for you. I put it in manual, let me decide when I want to shift! - The turbo doesn't kick in until about 3,000 RPM, meaning you feel like you are accelerating in a Toyota Camry for about 2 seconds. I just keep wanting more when I step on it. All that being said, I still really like driving the car, it just seems that the Germans have made this car a little more complicated than it needs to be."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

AUDI TRULY IS AN EXCEPTIONAL BRAND!!!

By AA (GA) on Saturday, April 07, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 5,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Excellent features, great drivng dynamics"

Cons: "The most stunning car vs. its competition"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Engine: The car is smooth and agile. It responds well to its 8 speed transmission. One of the best ride qualities I have experienced in the mid-size segment. Braking: I have had an Audi before and I have to tell you they have the best brakes in the business compared to others I have driven and owned. Features: Blind spot, rearview camera, rear parking sensors, DVD player( when vehicle is stationary), rain sensing wipers, adaptive lighting, LED running lights, keyless entry-exit"

6 people out of 7 found this review helpful

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

see all 69 reviews