Used 2008 Audi A4

With so much to love about the 2008 Audi A4, it’s hard to find a reason not to own one. From a driving enthusiast’s point of view, the A4’s quattro all-wheel drive and energetic turbocharged four-cylinder engine make it the nearly-ideal car, while young status seekers crave it for its upscale pedigree and reasonably affordable price. Audi even nails the little things many of its competitors overlook, such as backlighting every switch and control regardless of importance. If it weren’t for the A4’s somewhat cramped rear quarters, we’d almost be tempted to call it the perfect sedan.

We drove the six-speed automatic and six-speed manual versions of the 2008 Audi A4, each with the four-cylinder turbo engine and quattro all-wheel drive. While the automatic model was a joy on the highway — delivering a quiet, comfortable ride, inspiring stability and with plenty of power to pass — the transmission magnified the engine’s turbo lag in the stop-and-go of city driving. The manual car, on the other hand, was equally impressive on the highway while also providing more of the kick we expect from a sports sedan. When sunny skies turn to rainy weather the all-weather traction advantages of the renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system are much appreciated and, even in dry weather, we could feel its calming influence while negotiating curving on-ramps and the like.

The A4’s rear seat can be tight on legroom for some, and the front armrest can interfere with the parking brake lever. Beyond these minor points, however, we find the A4’s comfortable, stylish and well-crafted cabin nearly without fault. The textured aluminum is one of the finest examples of interior metal trim we’ve ever seen, and every surface and seam is pleasing to both the eye and the touch. If you’re looking for a nice place to spend a commute, you won’t have to look beyond the A4.

From the side, it wouldn’t be hard to mistake the 2008 Audi A4 for the last-generation car (model year 2002 to 2005). And if your vision isn’t what it used to be, you might be excused for confusing the two from the rear. But only from a mile away, on a moonless night in the middle of the Black Forest, could you mistake the two models from the front. At first, we thought the Audi family’s trapezoidal big-mouth grille looked less graceful on the A4 than when we first saw it on the larger A6 and A8. But, like its big brothers, the A4 seems to embrace its identity a little more warmly every time we see it.

One-Touch Windows
Even when we expect a vehicle to have four one-touch up/down windows, we’re still delighted with their ease and convenience. They make life a little easier.

Audi Navigation
The simple and intuitive touch screen fits nicely into the dash. Behind the flip-down screen you’ll find two SD memory card slots, which can be used to play MP3-formated music files through the audio system.

The base A4 powertrain includes a four-cylinder turbo engine, six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. In addition, the well-equipped entry A4 features an AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, one-touch up/down windows, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth seats, leather-wrapped wheel/shifter/handbrake, four-way adjustable/multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels. Standard safety equipment includes a sophisticated anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control, active front head restraints and front, front-side and two-row head-curtain airbags.

In addition to an impressive list of standard features, the A4 also features a long list of options, including a choice between leather and premium leather seating, DVD-based navigation, premium sound system, heated seats, driver-position memory, rear-window sunshades, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, wood trim, Homelink, auto-dimming/power-folding outside mirrors, bi-xenon adaptive self-leveling headlamps, retractable high-pressure headlamp washers, 17-inch wheels, a sport suspension and rear side-impact airbags.

The A4’s available four- or six-cylinder engines come with sophisticated FSI Direct Injection technology designed to deliver increased power and better mileage. The V6 is the smoother and more powerful engine of the two, but the four-cylinder turbo is lighter (promoting better handling), less expensive and delivers better fuel mileage. Also available in varying combinations are front-drive and quattro all-wheel-drive systems, plus six-speed manual, six-speed Tiptronic automatic and continuously-variable transmissions. The front-drive V6 A4 comes with the automatic transmission only.

2.0-liter in-line 4 Turbocharged
200 horsepower @ 5100-6000 rpm
207 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1800-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/31 (FWD, manual), 21/30 (FWD, automatic), 20/28 (AWD, manual), 19/27 (AWD, automatic)

3.2-liter V6
255 horsepower @ 6500 rpm
243 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27 (FWD, automatic), 15/25 (AWD, manual) 17/25 (AWD, automatic)