Used 2023 Audi A4

The Audi A4 name may not be as instantly recognizable as a couple of its competitors, but it’s one of the best compact luxury sedans on the market today. The interior quality is outstanding, and the driving engagement is what you hope for in a German sports sedan. We also appreciate the variety in the Audi model range, which includes the Allroad wagon and the exciting S4.

It has some tough competition from the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but the A4 does just about everything well and gives the driver few reasons to complain.

It’s hard to find fault with the A4 from behind the wheel. Every car in this class strives for a perfect balance of a sporty and luxurious driving experience, and the A4 nails it. Even with the base 201-horsepower powertrain, the acceleration is swift thanks to peak torque low in the rev range. The handling is agile in the corners, but it’s still comfortable in long highway cruising.

For a modest price increase, you can upgrade to the 45 TFSI powertrain, which brings a significant enough boost in performance to make it worth the cost. This knocks the 0-60 mph time down from 6.3 seconds to 5.2 seconds. It’s a nice middle-ground between the base model and the muscular S4.

Speaking of which, the S4 is the one to get for the enthusiast with a healthy budget. It’s not on the same level as the BMW M3 or Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, but it’s also not as expensive. A turbocharged V6 gives the S4 plenty of motivation, and it hustles from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Drivers looking for a luxury car that’s not afraid to stray from the pavement will like the A4 Allroad wagon. It uses the 45 TFSI powertrain, which matches this wagon well. It has extra ground clearance compared to the sedan models, and the adaptive suspension system comes with an off-road mode. It’s not really for climbing mountains or fording rivers, but the Allroad is a more capable off-roader than the average compact luxury car.

The interior of the Audi A4 is among the best in its class, which is saying a lot. It lives up to its brand’s reputation for crafting world-beating interiors with comfortable seats, a sophisticated design, and high-quality materials.

Many luxury cars in this class have faux leather seats in the base model, but the A4 gives you genuine leather seating and real wood trim, even in the most affordable base trim. You can upgrade with the S Line interior package with aluminum trim and leather/Dinamica seats, and the S4 is available with Nappa leather seating and carbon fiber trim.

The seating space is pretty good for a car this size. There’s seating for up to five, and two adults can comfortably ride in the back. The trunk space is about average for this class, and the wagon body of the Allroad model yields more cargo room.

The exterior styling of the Audi A4 is handsome and dignified. It’s conservative and not as showy as some of its more ostentatious rivals. If you like to fly under the radar in comfort, then the subtlety of the A4’s styling is a strength.

The look changes a bit depending on the trim. The S Line model has a sporty appearance package that makes it look more like the S4, and the S4 has unique touches like a quad-tip exhaust, a rear spoiler, matte silver side sill blades, and special wheels.

The A4 carries on with a wagon variant in the form of the A4 Allroad. On top of the apparent distinction of the wagon body, the Allroad has extra ground clearance and body cladding that hint at its adventurous capabilities.

If you’re looking for a darker aesthetic, a Black Optic Plus Package is available across the model range, adding stylish black accents.

The size of the Audi A4 is in line with the compact luxury sedan class. Its dimensions are similar to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan. In the Audi lineup, it’s smaller than the A6 and slightly bigger than the A5.

1. Standard Quattro AWD
Standard all-wheel drive is a big part of the appeal of the A4. This not only improves all-season traction on snowy roads, but it improves acceleration and grip on dry pavement.

2. Luxurious Interior
Audi is renowned for making some of the most refined interiors in the luxury car world, and the A4 is no exception. This well-crafted interior coddles you and your passengers with high-quality materials. Leather seats and real wood trim come standard.

3. Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus
One of our favorite tech features in the A4 is the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus. This customizable digital gauge cluster shows essential data like a speedometer and fuel gauge, but it can also show high-quality map data. It’s standard on Premium Plus and Prestige models.

4. MMI Infotainment System
This 10.1-inch infotainment system has a lovely screen that’s easy to use. It has features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 10-speaker audio, HD Radio, and more. The Premium Plus and Prestige trims have a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.

5. Sporty S4 Model
The turbocharged V6 and sport-tuned suspension in the S4 add a lot of excitement to your drive. This is for drivers looking for an authentic German sport sedan driving experience while retaining decent fuel economy at a price that won’t make your eyes water.

6. Rugged Allroad Wagon
The A4 Allroad is something a little different in compact luxury cars. It’s a high-riding wagon with an off-road drive mode and, of course, AWD. It’s capable off-road without sacrificing any of its on-road poise.

The Audi A4 has three powertrain options, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. They all benefit from generous low-end torque and the confident grip of the quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

The base 40 TFSI powertrain is adequate for most drivers. It strikes a satisfying balance of performance and efficiency. Drivers looking for extra muscle without breaking the bank will want the 45 TFSI powertrain, which is optional in the sedan and standard in the Allroad wagon.

A turbocharged V6 powers the Audi S4 sedan. This engine is a significant upgrade in performance over the 4-cylinder engines, and it still returns decent fuel economy.

Every A4 uses a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder models use a 7-speed, and the S4 employs an 8-speed. They both deliver quick and smooth shifts with good timing.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (40 TFSI)
201 horsepower @ 4,200-6,000 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (45 TFSI)
261 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg (sedan), 24 city/30 highway (Allroad)

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (S4)
349 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg