2020 Audi A4 Sedan Review: High Expectations

Audi's staple compact luxury sedan, the A4 sedan, is back for another round in 2020 with updated exterior styling for extra sauce and an upgraded cabin that's as tech-focused as it has ever been. The sedan boasts four rings and four doors, and a whole lot more. Its standard suite of features is impressive, whether we're considering convenience, tech, or safety. Still, it has its kinks even if they are few and far between, and one of them would be the slightly subpar engine found in the base model. The more powerful 248-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo performs beautifully; additionally, not a single luxurious aspect is absent for a sedan in this segment. Big price tags come with big expectations, though, and the A4 goes up against capable underdogs like the Genesis G70 and the established elite like the hallowed BMW 3 Series.

What's the Price of the 2020 Audi A4 Sedan?

The most affordable way into the A4 range would be the FWD and base engine-equipped Premium model that has an MSRP of $37,400, while the 45 TFSI quattro-equipped version increases its price to $40,900. A Premium Plus model with FWD will cost $41,000, and the addition of quatrro will bring the price up to $44,000. The top of the range trim level, the Prestige, has a starting price of $46,950 when it's equipped with front-wheel-drive and $49,950 with the renowned quattro system and 45 TFSI engine. A destination fee of $995 is applicable when you purchase an Audi A4.

2020 A4 Sedan Exterior

Dimensions

2020 A4 Sedan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Audi effortlessly deals with the road, and it's one of the many reasons the sedan is still among the top of its class. It doesn't shy away from a corner, but this doesn't result in a harsh ride the way great handling usually does in the segment. It's a difficult task to manage a perfect balance like this, but four-ringed engineering certainly has, and it soaks up undulations with aplomb. When behind the wheel of an A4, it's difficult to acknowledge that something like body roll even exists, and the Audi's frame remains calm and collected even through harsher turns. Precise and responsive steering add to the amalgam of the car's seemingly endless capabilities, and though it may be slightly toned-down at lower speeds, the steering happily changes over to impressive responsiveness at higher speeds. The all-famous quattro system that comes with the 45 TFSI engine adds to the A4's merits, especially in rainy weather, and, thanks to the all-wheel-drive system, is highly unlikely to lose grip unless you're hurtling down the side of a mountain of the Alps.

2020 A4 Sedan Interior

2020 A4 Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2020 Audi A4 Sedan A Good car?

No car is perfect, and the Audi A4 has its flaws, but it definitely deserves a spot on your shortlist for luxury sedan shopping. At a base level, it's beaten by rivals in terms of its performance and it has a much slower acceleration time compared to, say, the BMW 330i although the Bavarian sedan carries a heavier price tag. The engine found in the Premium Plus and Prestige models is more than capable, though, and the extra power comes in handy. A huge pro for the A4 would be its impeccable road manners. It offers an engaging driving experience and superb handling without sacrificing the comfort of its passengers. If sharp turns were on tinder, the A4 would swipe right without a second thought. Infotainment is excellent from the Premium Plus upwards, and the sedan carries an impressive suite of safety features regardless of which model you consider, but as usual, the higher trims offer more. The A4 is impressive by many standards and is a great choice.

What Audi A4 Sedan Model Should I Buy?

The mid-level Premium Plus model equipped with the quattro all-wheel-drive system and 45 TFSI engine is a good choice because it is far better equipped than the base model, but doesn't hike the price up to top-of-the-range levels like the Prestige. It also gets access to many of the Prestige's features via the options list, meaning you can tailor the package without spending big. We'd recommend opting for this model and adding the Driver Assistance and Sport Package for extra luxury and convenience. As for the outside, we'd opt for the additional Navarra Blue metallic hue.

2020 Audi A4 Sedan Comparisons

2020 Audi A4 Sedan vs Audi A3 Sedan

Both of these sedans share the same four rings on their hoods, but there are a few key differences that separate the two. The A4 and the A3 utilize a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot to get the wheels turning, but the A4 offers slightly higher power outputs of 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque on 45 TFSI models, while the A3 makes do with the same tune as the base A4 40 TFSI (184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque). An older infotainment system is still offered by the A3, while the A4 gets a larger, more modern screen that enables the new MIB 3 interface. As expected, the A4 also offers a more luxurious and updated interior and more standard features. The A3 is still a great car, and if you're looking for a more affordable way into the world of Audi, it's a good purchase. But if you're after a bigger sedan with more interior space and luxury to offer, the A4 is for you.

2020 Audi A4 Sedan vs BMW 3 Series Sedan

These German sedans both employ a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot, but the one found under the hood of the BMW delivers significantly more power. Outputs of 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque are delivered by the Munich-born contender, and the BMW manages not to compromise its fuel economy figures, sharing EPA estimated figures with the A4. Arguably, the Audi offers a more tech-focused interior, but the BMW feels more premium from the inside and the whole dashboard is subtly angled towards the driver, all while offering a 17 cubic-foot trunk that bests the A4's 13 cubes. The BMW offers a more engaging drive in this case and, and though it carries a more expensive price tag, it is the better choice of the two.