Although the current-generation 2023 A4 is getting on in years, it offers a compelling blend of performance, refinement, technology and interior quality for the price. Look elsewhere if you need a sport sedan that'll get your heart pumping, but for across-the-board excellence at a fair price, the A4 remains tough to top.
The A4 gets a minor shuffling of features for 2023
Part of the fifth A4 generation introduced for 2017
What is the A4?
Why, only one of our favorite small luxury sedans. The Audi A4 is a handsome compact car that compares favorably with rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo S60 and Lexus IS. It benefits from Audi's trademark understated styling and an elegant interior that lends the A4 an air of sophistication. But the 2023 model year could bring a wide array of changes to the fold.
Rumor has it that a full redesign is in the works, fueled by spy shots of the A4 Avant wagon in camouflage that surfaced recently. So it looks like Audi will unveil a completely redesigned A4 soon, bringing the sedan more in line with modern tastes and technology. If a redesign materializes for 2023, both the exterior and interior styling should sport a new look. Still, don't expect the changes to turn the A4 formula upside down. It will likely ride on a similar version of its current platform, retaining standard all-wheel drive and a traditional silhouette. In carrying over its mild hybrid powertrain, the redesigned A4 could feature an updated, more powerful version with greater use of electrification. If that happens you can expect better fuel efficiency, plus more electric juice smoothing out power from the engine to improve ride comfort.
All of this hinges on the availability of parts. Audi has previously shuttered production of the A4 for periods of time due to the microchip shortage and the conflict in Ukraine, and supply chain challenges threaten to disrupt the plans of any automaker. It's possible that the redesigned A4 could be pushed back as Audi prioritizes production of its hot-selling SUVs and high-profile EVs. Assuming things go smoothly, however, we do expect to see a new A4 sooner rather than later.
Edmunds says
The Audi A4 plays an important role in attracting new customers to the luxury brand, and the arrival of a redesigned version is a big deal. We're eagerly awaiting fresh styling and advanced tech for which Audi is known. But whether we'll see a new A4 for 2023 is not clear yet. Stay tuned to Edmunds for all the latest information on the 2023 A4 as we find out more.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi A4 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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 $3.77 per gallon for premium unleaded in New Jersey.
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.
$618/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).
2.67x/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).
14.5%
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.
2020 Audi A4 Premium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
I compared the A4 Quattro to the Mercedes C, BMW 3 series, Lexus and Volvo. The Audi does everything so well that I couldn’t find much to complain about. 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds With 40mpg’s highway is great. The DSG transmission is incredible with smooth crisp Shifting between gears. Consumer reports gives the A4 a very high rating that’s top in its class with excellent reliability for … the last four years since this new style was released. The LED headlights are amazing, they even shine into turns Lighting the way. Top pick in crash tests too.
Update: I’m still very happy with my Audi A4 Quattro. It’s been trouble free with only Oil & Filter changes done as required. Winter driving this year has only given me more praise by the way this car handles the worst weather conditions getting me home safely while I see other makes stuck in snow and icy roads.
Update: this A4 has been trouble free, only trips to dealer are for scheduled oil& filter changes. Love this car more and more. Excellent MPGs and great performance.
Update: My A4 has been 100% trouble free and I still enjoy it very much.
Update: 93,000 miles and its been the best car I've ever owned. Had a recall for the seat heater switch in passenger seat other than that just regular oil & Filter changes and one Transmission fluid change. Still drives like a new car.
Luxury is in the details.
5 out of 5 stars
Kevin, 11/02/2020
2020 Audi A4 Premium Plus 4dr Sedan w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
There are so many cars out there that selecting one can be a daunting task. So, first and foremost, you need to know what you are looking for.
I bought my A4 2020, 2 months ago, and while it is a short time, I hope help someone who might be struggling with the decision to buy one.
It is a great car, but it is not an out of the world car. You will hear many people say that Audi cars are … endless money pits, that they don't age well, they require a lot of maintenance, that repair costs are high, a lot of depreciation, etc. I don't know if all this is true (except depreciation), but if you are concerned about such opinions, this car is not for you.
If you are willing to pay the price, you will get a wonderfully crafted interior (one of the.most beautiful in my opinion), audi ownership prestige, amazing driving experience, smart security features and happiness. It sounds materialistic but once you have worked hard enough for something, you deserve to treat yourself. :)
Features available in this car are also available in other cars and one may think that why do they need to pay 45k for this car when they can get the same features in a 25k car. To answer that, if you are someone who appreciates the little details, you will appreciate Audi, else you will feel that it is a waste of money.
A4 — Safety, Technology, Power, Good Looks!
5 out of 5 stars
Spooky Singer, 05/04/2021
2021 Audi A4 Premium Plus S line 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)
‘21 A4 45 Premium + S-Line offers top safety ratings, amazing tech, a responsive and efficient power plant as well as good looks. What’s not to love!
This is my third consecutive Audi; its bespoke cabin is a refuge at days end. 3D Bang/Olufsen sound is transformative.
Team Ingolstadt hit a home run with this conveyance, most assuredly!
Fun to drive, great all around vehicle
5 out of 5 stars
JP417, 07/09/2021
2021 Audi A4 Premium Plus S line 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM)
Great handling and very good acceleration and braking. The driving is secure around corners and on wet roads. The dynamic cruise control is a nice feature as well in highway driving. I've had cruise control on other vehicles, but for the most part never use it. With the 2021 A4, the dynamic cruise control feature does a very good job of adjusting speeds to the flow of the traffic -- … also it seems to be a great way to optimize fuel economy in highway driving. In terms of interior comfort and features, the car is outstanding for the driver and front passenger. In addition to getting a new car, I also made a point of upgrading my cellphone. I thought about getting the technology package and navigation, but have been very satisfied with Android Auto on a new Samsung phone. The new phone adds value to the car, and the car's ability to make use of the new phone's features, adds value to the phone. I've found every excuse in recent weeks to take the car out on the road. There was a bit of a learning curve in the first few days as a first-time Audi owner, but the car really grows on you, things become much more intuitive after using the car for a few days. Even after reading the owner's manual front and back and nearly a month of ownership, I'm still discovering cool new features related to the way the car operates and integration with the phone and Audi app. Even with the more powerful engine, I have been getting good mileage too driving in Dynamic mode. e.g. up to 40 on the highway, 26 in town, about 28 overall. The only real downside is the relatively small backseat. The rear seat is made of fine materials, but there's not a lot of head and leg room for people 6 foot or taller. Also, in warmer regions of the country, it is worth considering ventilated seats and a lighter colored vehicle. Overall though, it's a great car. A superb daily commuter and ideal for trips. ADDITIONAL NOTE TO ORIGINAL REVIEW: Have had car for nearly 7,000 miles, still working great. Winter handling has been superb on secondary roads that aren't regularly plowed. Car heating system generally works great -- seat heaters are excellent. Steering wheel heater isn't really noticeable, but the car warms up quickly so this isn't really a feature that I miss or use. In terms of general maintenance, I try to make sure to keep the various car sensors clean. It's worthwhile investing in a microfiber cloth for the task. Audi also has a window cleaning solution that you can buy through dealerships. As far as minor gripes go, some of the add-on technology features still seem to be in a beta test mode. e.g. the MyAudi app worked great initially, but after a software update this past Fall there were issues for a few weeks trying to communicate with the car. The MyAudi app isn't a really essential function to vehicle operation, but it's a secondary feature that is nice to have when it works. Also, Audi has some subscription services that you can purchase through the MyAudi App including a short-term licenses for Audi's built-in in-car navigation software. My experiences with it were a bit mixed. The add-on feature allows you to view navigation data on the driver display along with the other gauge clusters. Without the built-in navigation feature (or short-term license), the navigation data, via Android Auto or Apple Car Play, only displays on the touchscreen on the center console. Additionally, the short-term license includes things like weather radar, which are nice to have, but not essential for daily use. I tried the short-term licenses out for a couple months. The first month the functions worked great. The second month that I tried, they didn't. e.g. navigation in particular did not active properly in the second month. I have stuck to using Android Auto instead for daily use, which works great.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Audi A4, so we've included reviews for other years of the A4 since its last redesign.
Detects the threat of a front collision, warns you and applies the brakes if you don'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
Includes a variety of connection services, including summoning roadside assistance if needed. In an accident, emergency responders are contacted automatically.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.