Audi A4 review

Overview

The facelifted B9 A4 remains one of the most convincing understated executive cars. RoadMatch recommends the 150 hp 35 TFSI Sport S tronic saloon for buyers mixing town, motorway and moderate annual mileage: it avoids the short-trip compromises of a diesel while retaining effortless automatic refinement. Sport is deliberately chosen over firmer, more decorative trims. RoadMatch treats the named engine, trim and model years as a precise recommendation rather than a verdict on every version. A cheaper advertisement can represent another generation, powertrain or equipment level, so identity, history and condition must be established before price is compared.

Exterior and interior

The facelift introduced sharper lamps and a broader grille without sacrificing the A4's restrained proportions. Sport usually wears wheels that preserve ride quality. Inside, the clean architecture, supportive seats and high material standard still feel properly premium. The central touchscreen replaced the earlier rotary controller, but physical climate controls remain, making common adjustments easier than in many newer rivals. Used-car presentation can disguise wear, so inspect in daylight and operate every adjustment, latch and switch. Uneven paint, mismatched tyres, damp trim, warning messages or missing handbook material should prompt questions rather than being accepted as normal age-related character.

Practicality

A 460-litre boot handles business luggage and normal family use, though the saloon opening is less adaptable than the A4 Avant's tailgate. Four adults have useful space and the rear outer seats suit child restraints; a high centre tunnel limits the fifth position. Folding rear backrests are valuable, but buyers carrying dogs or tall equipment should choose the estate instead. Published luggage figures are useful for comparison but cannot prove that a pushchair, wheelchair, pet crate or child seat will fit. Take the actual equipment to the viewing, check the rear-seat arrangement and make sure the advertised car has the split-folding or adjustable features you require.

Driving experience

Sport trim prioritises composure, low noise and predictable control. The A4 turns accurately and settles quickly on motorways, but communicates less than a BMW 3 Series on a favourite rural road. That calmness suits its purpose. Avoid judging every example by an S line on large wheels: tyre specification and suspension choice materially change impact harshness and road roar. A meaningful test drive should include broken urban surfaces, a faster road, tight manoeuvres and a restart when fully warm. Listen for suspension noise, wheel-bearing hum and trim rattles, then check that steering, brakes and transmission behave consistently instead of relying on a short dealer loop.

Performance

The 35 TFSI uses a 150 hp four-cylinder turbo and seven-speed S tronic, reaching 62 mph in about 8.9 seconds. It is brisk rather than sporting, with enough mid-range for confident joining and overtaking. The dual-clutch gearbox should move away and shift smoothly once warm; hesitation, judder or warning messages justify specialist diagnosis before purchase. The quoted acceleration figure identifies the derivative; it is not a reason to overlook tyre condition, payload or safe overtaking margins. Test from cold and warm, confirm smooth power delivery and compare the engine and gearbox codes with the paperwork before assuming an apparently similar car performs the same way.

Fuel economy

A combined figure around the low-to-mid forties mpg is credible as a comparison point for the mild-hybrid-era 35 TFSI, although real results depend strongly on speed and journey length. It will normally use more fuel than a 35 TDI on sustained high mileage, but is better aligned with short urban use. Premium unleaded is not a substitute for correct maintenance. Official figures come from controlled laboratory cycles and are comparison tools, not personal guarantees. Short winter journeys, congestion, wheel choice, load and driving speed can move consumption substantially, so budget from a conservative real-world estimate and verify the trip computer over a representative route where possible.

Reliability

The A4's mature platform and quality cabin inspire confidence, yet the turbo petrol, dual-clutch transmission and extensive electronics require documented care. Check oil-service intervals, coolant level, gearbox behaviour, infotainment, parking aids and every assistance warning. Panoramic roofs and expensive lighting need particular inspection when fitted. Reliability evidence is mixed enough to justify a repair reserve and specialist examination. No publisher review or badge can predict an individual vehicle. Require itemised servicing, an independent history check and a registration-specific recall search; inspect from cold and consider a professional pre-purchase examination. A strong example at a fair price is normally safer than the cheapest example with an impressive options list.

Safety

Euro NCAP awarded the B9 A4 five stars in 2015, with the assessment now expired under a much older protocol. Facelift equipment evolved, but optional assistance packs prevent assumptions about adaptive cruise, lane guidance or blind-spot monitoring. Structural history, sensor calibration and tyre quality on the individual car matter more than repeating the original star count without context. Euro NCAP results belong to the stated test year and protocol, and older ratings may be expired. Confirm the exact car's driver-assistance equipment, tyre age, brake condition, windscreen calibration and repair history. Child-seat compatibility and outstanding recalls must be checked against the actual vehicle rather than inferred from a range brochure.

Technology and features

The facelift's crisp display supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Audi's digital instruments are clear when fitted. Front and rear parking sensors and cruise control are common on Sport; a camera, heated seats, upgraded lighting and adaptive cruise may depend on packs. Touchscreen operation is less convenient on rough roads than the former controller, but menus are logically arranged. Equipment changed by trim, option pack and production date. Pair both types of phone used by the household, test navigation, cameras, sensors, audio, climate control and every USB socket, and obtain a build sheet when a feature is decisive. An aftermarket system needs evidence of a safe, reversible installation.

Running costs

The A4 brings premium-brand tyre, brake, labour and electronics costs even when the purchase price overlaps a newer mainstream hatch. Insurance typically sits in the mid-to-high twenties by derivative. The £14,000–£27,000 range spans early facelift cars to younger low-mileage examples; service history and remaining consumable life are worth more than cosmetic S line additions. RoadMatch's annual range is a planning allowance for fuel, tax, routine servicing, MOT and ordinary wear at typical mileage; it excludes insurance, finance, depreciation and major faults. Obtain registration-specific insurance quotes and retain a repair reserve, especially where premium parts or complex electronics can outweigh an attractive purchase price.

Advantages and disadvantages