2019 Audi A4 Review

Name: 2019 Audi A4 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 18869 USD

2019 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior. European Model Shown.

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Cabin looks cool and is impeccably constructed
Advanced and easy-to-use safety and technology features
Back seat is spacious enough for adults
Turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration in the A4 45 TFSI

Cons

Some initial hesitation from transmission when accelerating
Lack of feedback from steering limits driver involvement

What's new

The efficient Ultra trim is gone, but its engine is now standard on all trims
The manual transmission is no longer available
Revised trim level names
Minor adjustments to feature availability
Part of the fifth A4 generation introduced for 2017

Since its full redesign two years ago, the Audi A4 has led the small luxury sedan class with its tech-forward personality, strong performance and high levels of refinement. In that class, those are the most important factors for people looking to buy into the luxury market.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Premium 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 4/19 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$184/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The 2019 Audi A4 doesn't change much and remains at the top of its game. But in typical fashion, there's a challenger on the horizon, and it's a familiar foe: the BMW 3 Series, which gets a thorough overhaul this year.

Initial reports are promising, and the BMW certainly has the potential to knock the Audi off the top step. Judging by how good the A4 is, though, we don't think it'll be a decisive victory in favor of BMW. Rather, it'll likely be a close battle ultimately decided by your personal preferences. The older Mercedes-Benz C-Class follows the same progression. It's another two years older than the A4 but maintains desirability with its classic interpretation of luxury.

The good news is there's not a bad choice in this bunch. With BMW's bias toward performance and Mercedes' focus on old-school refinement, the Audi A4 finds a sweet spot between them. For that reason, we heartily endorse it as an optimal middle ground.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Audi A4 as one of Edmunds' Best AWD Sedans for this year.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.2 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Audi A4 2.0T Prestige Quattro Sedan (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current A4 has received only minor feature revisions. Our findings remain applicable to this year's Prestige 45 TFSI model.

Scorecard

Overall	8.2 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	9.0

Driving

8.5

The Audi A4 Prestige 45 TFSI's smooth and powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces excellent acceleration. Strong brakes and sharp handling also help make the A4 enjoyable to drive. But the A4's steering limits driver engagement.

Acceleration

9.0

This is an impressively quick and smooth car. The A4 45 TFSI's engine is quieter than other turbo four-cylinder engines, too. In Edmunds testing, we achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds.

Braking

9.5

The moderately firm pedal feel and travel length offer easy modulation in all instances. In our panic-stop test, the A4 stopped from 60 mph in an impressive 99 feet. The sticky, zero-cost optional summer tires clearly had a lot to do with that, but it's still a remarkable result.

Steering

7.0

Steering is the A4's dynamic weak point. There is a numbness to it regardless of the three available settings (Comfort, Auto and Dynamic), and it does not engage the driver as well as the best competitors do. It's linear and well-weighted, but feedback is lacking.

Handling

8.5

The A4 might not engage with the driver quite like a Cadillac ATS, but there is no denying its impressive traction — thanks to the Quattro all-wheel drive and sticky summer tires — flat cornering and stability in emergency situations.

Drivability

7.5

There's some initial delay from the automatic transmission as soon as you step on the gas, and that may irritate some drivers in traffic. The engine stop-start system is also noticeable and can further delay acceleration.

Comfort

8.0

Like many sedans in the class, the A4 has a bias toward sport over luxury. The seats and ride are on the firm side, but they also encourage support and control, respectively. The A4 is also quieter than before, with the engine emitting less of an uncouth growl as its predecessor and many rival engines.

Seat comfort

8.0

The optional sport seats are our favorite for the adjustable thigh support, but the standard seats are praiseworthy in their own right. Both are firmly padded and well-shaped for hours of comfortable touring.

Ride comfort

8.0

The standard suspension is firm with controlled body motions and no impact harshness — typical of German sedans. The optional adaptive suspension is overly stiff in Dynamic mode, and the modest gains in handling don't justify the cost.

Noise & vibration

8.0

The new engine is smoother and quieter than the one in the previous-generation A4, as well as the engines of many rivals. The interior is as quiet as those of competing sedans, with a somewhat elevated tire noise due to our test car's optional summer tires.

Interior

8.5

The stylish, functional and well-built cabin puts an emphasis on technology. The optional Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster gets most of the attention, re-creating analog gauges while also displaying navigation and entertainment information.

Ease of use

8.5

Audi's elegantly simple design translates to an easy-to-use cockpit with logically placed controls. The virtual gauge cluster takes some getting used to, but it becomes second nature in no time.

Getting in/getting out

7.5

The doors are large, and the roof is not aggressively raked, reducing the chances of bonking your head. Likewise, the front seats' side bolsters aren't prominent enough to impede access.

Roominess

9.0

Long gone are the days when the A4 was a compact car. Take a seat inside and you might think you're in a midsize sedan, with sufficient legroom for four amply sized adults aboard. And even 6-footers will find enough headroom in back.

Visibility

8.5

Visibility is good all around thanks to narrow roof pillars, augmented by the standard rearview camera and collision warning system. Besides looking cool, the Virtual Cockpit instruments and head-up display also help keep the driver's eyes on the road.

Quality

9.0

Audi keeps setting new quality benchmarks for cabin materials and construction. The Mercedes C-Class might appear more luxurious, but a closer look gives the A4's better-made cabin an advantage.

Utility

8.0

In terms of size, the A4's cargo and storage are typical for the class, but the A4 gets additional consideration for the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats that allow for greater flexibility when transporting passengers and larger objects.

Small-item storage

8.0

The A4 has plenty of storage for your personal items.

Cargo space

8.0

Cargo capacity, at 13 cubic feet, is about average for the class. The trunk's opening is sufficiently wide, and cutouts on each side provide extra width for golf clubs or netted storage areas.

Technology

9.0

The revised MMI controller is now better positioned for drivers of varying size. There's a bit of a learning curve to the MMI system, but with some familiarization, it becomes easier to operate. On the bright side, the adaptive cruise control is one of the more refined systems out there.

Audio & navigation

9.0

The high-mounted infotainment screen and redundant instrument panel display keep your eyes up, reducing distraction. Sharp-looking graphics and legible text make the system even more user-friendly.

Smartphone integration

9.0

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all A4s, giving users a familiar interface and the ability to receive and send texts with minimal distraction.

Voice control

8.0

Voice recognition is accurate, and in many cases it can be operated using plain English.

2019 Audi A4 models

The 2019 Audi A4 is a small entry-level luxury sedan available in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Each of these is applied to the front-wheel-drive A4 40 TFSI and the Quattro all-wheel-drive A4 45 TFSI. Front-drive 40 TFSI models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (188 horsepower, 236 pound-feet of torque) while the all-wheel-drive 45 TFSI receives a power upgrade (248 hp, 273 lb-ft). A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is the only available transmission.

Standard feature highlights for the A4 Premium include 17-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, forward collision warning and mitigation, adjustable drive settings (Audi's Drive Select), keyless ignition, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and 40/20/40-split folding rear seatbacks.

Standard technology features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, Audi's MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch central display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a CD player, two USB ports and a 10-speaker sound system.

The optional Convenience package adds heated and auto-dimming side mirrors, keyless entry, a larger color driver information display, driver-seat memory functions and satellite radio.

The Premium Plus includes the Convenience package along with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a virtual instrument panel, a wireless charging pad, a navigation system, handwriting-recognition input, a larger 8.3-inch infotainment display, Audi Connect telematics and Wi-Fi service, and two USB ports for the rear passengers. Audi's blind-spot and rear-facing crash mitigation systems, Side Assist and Pre Sense Rear, are also standard.

Finally, there's the top-of-the-line A4 Prestige. It comes with all of the above as standard plus dual-pane acoustic front windows, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, interior ambient lighting, a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning and intervention, a traffic sign reader, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system.

Notable options include 19-inch wheels, ventilated seats, the Sport package with a performance-tuned suspension, and the Cold Weather package with a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#35 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi A4 from 2008-2022.}

$607/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.16x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

14.7%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Audi A4.

5 (71%)

4 (10%)

3 (15%)

2 (2%)

1 (2%)

4.5

48 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Still a top notch entry-level sports sedan

A4_times_2, 03/27/2019

2019 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

This is my second A4 in the current body style. I leased a very early production 2017 A4 Quattro and just replaced it with a 2019 A4 Quattro Premium Plus. I decided to lease another A4 for a few reasons. First, I really enjoyed my old A4. Second, I wasn't overwhelmed by the new S60 and BMW 3 series, and I am not quite ready to go for a Tesla. The pros of the A4 start with the Virtual … Cockpit infotainment system. If you don't get it, you're missing a huge selling point for the car. Virtual Cockpit is no longer the newest system on the block, but it is still excellent. Having the large Google Earth map with traffic info right in front of me while dealing with LA rush hour traffic is a huge plus. It isn't an annoying touchscreen system, which makes it less distracting. You do have to take a little time to learn all the features offered and set it up to your liking (it's worth spending time digging through all the menus), but once you're done, it's pretty intuitive. Virtual Cockpit is fast and it appears to be a little snappier than 2017 version. The rest of the interior is well put together and high quality. I am 6'2" with a big frame (size 14 feet, broad shoulders) and I fit really well in the driver seat. The sport seat with the extendable thigh support is a must for me given my body size. Also, the extendable and height adjustable center armrest is a fantastic detail that you don't see in a lot of non-VW/Audi cars. This is actually one of the few cars where my right knee isn't squeezed by the center console and dash. This was mentioned as a problem by another reviewer, but I haven't had this issue. Even the Honda Accord, which is a bigger car overall, didn't fit me well. In terms of performance, the '45' engine has plenty of power, especially low in the rev band. This is helpful for quick starts or squirting through tight openings. It's not earth shattering, but it certainly gets the job done and is class competitive. The ride seems a little tighter and more composed than in my old A4. It may be just that the car is new or they could have tweaked the suspension, but I definitely feel it. The car feels really solid and stable, though not cushy, even on nasty LA roads. I wouldn't call it super sporty, but the ride definitely has a premium feel and cabin noise is limited. The downsides of the A4 aren't huge, but they are there. Reliability could be a question mark. My 2017, again a very early model, had some 'teething problems' that I hope don't happen with the new car. The right side mirror motor failed, a parking sensor failed and I had a defective brake pad. So far, no issues with the new one. Styling is fine, but it won't turn heads. They cleaned up the exhaust area and tweaked the front end for 2019. Other nags: The 'kick' trunk opening feature is a pain on this model. Before, it would work if you 'kicked' right under the center of the rear end. Now, it's toward the left side and very hit or miss. You can't get adaptive cruise control or a 360 camera without getting the expensive Prestige trim. This is annoying considering cars half the price now at least have adaptive cruise. Also, Audi Connect, which includes the Google Earth maps, is expensive at $49.99 a month. For me, it's worth it, but it may not be for everyone. Overall, even with the nits, this is still a fantastic car that I love driving every day. I would highly recommend it.

3rd A4 in a row, this one better than ever!

Alex H., 02/15/2018

2018 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Best car I've ever owned, hands down. I am a 3 time A4 owner and love the significant improvements they've made in the 2018. Sport Package and Black Optics set off the look and the front sport seats grip my body in spirited driving. Dynamic blend of performance and luxury. 100% would buy again

A real eye-catcher, but not without some issues.

Gary Simon, 06/09/2019

2018 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Traded in my 2005.5 A-4, which I dearly loved and still miss to this day. As the cars are night and day different, there was a lengthy learning curve with the new one, both sticks by the way. I miss the old days when I figured out who was around me and I determined the best time to hit the brake! The first few times the car braked for me I freaked out! This one handles well but not …

Better than all its competitors!

Mark, 06/04/2019

2019 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Prestige 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I test drove the Mercedes, Volvo, and Lexus that compete in this price range. I bought the A4 and am loving it! I was inclined to buy the Lexus 350, since I had been driving Lexus for 22 years. But I did not like the new grill, and the technology was worse. Using a mouse pad and cursor to navigate the screen was difficult, and seemed impossible to use while driving. Which makes a lot of …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Audi A4, so we've included reviews for other years of the A4 since its last redesign.

See all 48 reviews of the Audi A4

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2019 A4 Highlights

Trim:

2.0 TFSI Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$184/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the A4 models:

Audi Pre Sense City: Detects the threat of a front collision, warns the driver, and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't act.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Alerts you if you start to drift out of your lane without signaling and can steer to help nudge you back.
Audi Connect: Use Audi Connect for a variety of services, including summoning roadside assistance if needed. In an accident, emergency responders are contacted automatically.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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