2019 Audi A4 Sedan Review

The current A4 Sedan has been with us since 2015, but has managed to stay at the top of the compact luxury sedan class, or close to it, for the last four years, a testament to Audi's ability to build excellent cars. Despite stiff competition from age-old rivals like the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series and a slew of new rivals from the east, the A4 has managed to cling to the title of best small luxury sedan, at least for the first half of 2019. How Audi has achieved this feat is by building an all-rounder. The A4 drives nicely, has a decent amount of performance, it's comfortable, has a good amount of tech features. and is ultra safe. This then begs the question of why Audi doesn't sell more of them?

What's the Price of the 2019 Audi A4 Sedan?

The 2019 A4 range of cars starts with an MSRP of $37,400 for a 2019 A4 Sedan Premium 40 TFSI front-wheel drive. The Premium starts at $42,000 and the Premium Plus is only $200 more. The range-topping Prestige will cost you $46,200. Prices exclude $995 destination, taxes, title, other options, and dealer charges. The 330i (2.0 turbo) BMW starts off at $40,250 and the Mercedes C300 starts off at $41,400. Looking at the competitors it is obvious that the A4 delivers impressive value for money.

Handling and Driving Impressions

One of the big reasons the A4 is still at the top of its class is due to its excellent road manners. The small luxury sedan class demands that cars get so many elements right, especially driving and road holding, and to find the perfect balance between big premium sedan comfort and small sports car handling is difficult to achieve unless you're Audi. The Audi A4's precise steering and cornering stability, matched with a superbly sprung suspension setup make it an absolute pleasure to drive. For a luxury sedan with sporting overtones, especially in the Quattro, Audi has done a sterling job of getting the car to soak up bumps at low speeds while providing confident handling at higher speeds. The A4's brakes are easy to modulate and respond well in emergency situations. Initial delay from the transmission on acceleration and electrically powered steering that feels somewhat vague are the only downsides to what is a beautifully balanced driving package

Verdict: Is the 2019 Audi A4 Sedan A Good car?

The 2019 Audi A4 is at the top of its game and manages to find a superb balance between all the elements that make for a great luxury sedan. Its exterior looks are sharper than ever thanks to the now standard S Line appearance package, and it has the performance to back up the looks. The 2.0-liter turbo four delivers smooth performance in both states of tune, and the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox makes short work of shifting gears. Both the front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models drive beautifully. The suspension setup borders on perfect; it soaks up low-speed bumps and gives you enough confidence to push on through the twisty bits, especially in the Quattro, which feels like it sinks claws into the road. The interior is beautifully crafted and feels premium through and through. Tech features abound, especially on the higher spec models, the same goes for the safety equipment. Simply put, the 2019 Audi A4 is the last word in compact luxury sedans.

What Audi A4 Sedan Model Should I Buy?

You can't really make a wrong choice when it comes to buying a 2019 Aud A4, but you can make a smart one. The difference in pricing between the entry-level model and Premium Quattro is negligible, and the fact that you get all-wheel drive, where most other competitors would be able to offer you rear-wheel drive at best, is a clear pro. The Premium comes with enough gadgets, comfort, and performance to keep you happy for years to come. The front-wheel-drive Premium Plus is also a winner, but it's up to you if you want the extra power and grip of the Premium Quattro, or the safety and infotainment tech found in the Premium Plus.

2019 Audi A4 Sedan Comparisons

2019 Audi A4 Sedan vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan

The Mercedes C-Class (C300) is a serious opponent, and can easily match, and even outdo, the Audi for performance and standard equipment. The C300 is more powerful than the base A4 and gets fuel economy figures that fit snugly in between the two A4 powertrain variants. The C300's gearbox has two extra cogs, and one more airbag than the Audi. Where the Audi does better is in its overall feeling of quality, especially inside the car, the Audi is also the better driving car. Both cars are similarly priced and the choice often comes down to brand preference, but we'd opt for the Audi as a more complete package.

2019 Audi A4 Sedan vs BMW 3 Series Sedan

Going up against the legendary BMW 3 Series will always be a rather intimidating prospect, but the A4 can keep its head up high against its German rival. The interior of the new 3 Series feels fresher because it is fresher. The Audi A4 has an exceptionally well put together cabin, but the current model is on its way out, and the interior tells the same story. You can also tell by the more aggressive exterior styling and interior layout that the BMW is a more driver-focused car. Tech features on the BMW are better, and things like auto steering LED headlights feature as standard across the range. The BMW's engine is more powerful and more economical than Audi's turbocharged four-cylinder. The Audi struggles to bring the fight to the new 3 Series, but the mere fact that a car in its fourth year of production is comparable, and in some cases, equal, to a brand new car is a testament to Audi's high standard of engineering.