2023 Audi A4 Sedan Performance

The A4 is exclusively an all-wheel-drive model, whether you opt for the 40 or the 45 TFSI. The lesser 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is good for 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the 45 offers 261 hp and 273 lb-ft. The 40 completes the 0-60-mph sprint in 6.3 seconds, and the 45 cuts that time down to 5.2 seconds, on to a limited top speed of 130 mph for both. Unlike some rivals, a manual transmission is not available. Instead, all versions of the Audi A4 come with a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic automatic, but considering how well this unit operates, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The base version of the A4 makes 201 hp and 236 lb-ft from its 2.0-liter turbo four-pot, while the higher-output engine returns 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This gives it more power than the 255-hp unit in the BMW 330i, but the Bimmer has more torque. The base version is not too bad, although you can feel the weight of the car holding it back from feeling truly rapid. In the 45 TFSI version, that eagerness to surge forward is far more apparent, and it's plenty to make drives on back roads fun. Throttle response is good, and the car has smooth power delivery, but you can definitely feel the lack of upper-range power as you progress towards the red line. Fortunately, the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is a good companion for the engine, and shifts quickly and smoothly. Take manual control via the steering-mounted paddles, and the experience is no worse, with sharp changes and no jerkiness to ruin your mood. When cruising, the engine disappears into the background, and the transmission's shifts are barely noticeable. However, pushing the car does result in some noise emanating from the engine, which filters through to the cabin.

Official EPA estimates for the A4 sedan are 24/33/28 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles with the base engine and 24/32/27 mpg for the more powerful version.

With a 15.3-gallon gas tank, the A4 should be able to comfortably manage 440 miles of range with mixed driving.