Introduction

The Audi A4 represents a line of fantastic sports sedans. They deliver crisp handling, a firm ride, and a well-controlled suspension that make for a precise, high-quality driving experience. The A4 feels like it's on rails around fast sweepers, especially when equipped with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, one of the world's best. Beautifully finished interiors exude quality and ergonomic excellence. Performance and driveability vary by model. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine that comes on 1.8T models delivers excellent performance when paired with a manual gearbox and it's attractively priced, but the 1.8-liter engine doesn't work as well with the available automatic transmission. The V6 engine that comes on 3.0 models is wonderfully smooth and quite strong, and it works very well when paired with the optional automatic. The V8-powered S4 delivers awesome performance and serious enthusiasts love it, but its suspension may be too firm for most drivers. The A4 was completely redesigned for 2002. Last year, the Cabriolet (convertible) and Avant (wagon) models joined the lineup. For 2004, Audi further expands the A4 family with the V8-powered S4, plus Audi's first Cabriolet quattros, available in both A4 3.0 and S4 trim, combining high performance with top-down exhilaration. A host of active and passive safety features help keep drivers on the road and protect passengers in an accident.

Walkaround

The Audi A4 is a handsome car, shaped in the signature Bauhaus style established by the larger A6. The A4 takes styling cues from both the TT roadster and the A6, including its high beltline, prominent chrome-trimmed grille, and notched-in flush taillights. Headlights, bumpers, and door handles are integrated into the body. Few adornments detract from the A4's basic shape, and there is little chrome. On sedans, antennae for the radio, telematics and navigation systems are embedded into the rear glass. The Avant is sporty looking wagon with a steeply sloped rear hatch that sacrifices some cargo room for a slick, up-market profile. Overall, the Avant is the same length as the sedan. Its rear hatch can open at two different heights, to allow extra clearance for taller owners. It also features a dual-loading cargo floor, a rakish roof-mounted antenna and unique window trim: black on 1.8T, brushed aluminum on 3.0 and S4. Cabriolet models share the sedan's basic lines and clean, taut surfaces in a two-door convertible body style. The wide arc of the soft top accentuates the A4's pure proportions and subtle wedge shape. Cabriolets come with unique features. Among them: brushed aluminum trim around the windscreen and waist. The cabrio's body-colored air dam, especially in the lighter paint colors, accentuates the openings under the front bumper more than the dark-colored air dam on the sedan and Avant. S4 models are distinguished by fully painted bumpers, xenon headlights with contrasting titanium-colored inner housings, aluminum-finish exterior mirrors, and a trunk-mounted rear spoiler. The S4 Avant is further distinguished by its aluminum-colored roof rails. Safety features that come standard on all A4/S4 models include antilock brakes, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); an electronic stability program (ESP); dual front airbags that deploy at different rates depending on the severity of a crash, front side-impact airbags, and three-point seat belts at all five locations with pre-tensioners and force limiters in front. Sedans and Avants also have curtain-style head-protection airbags for front and rear-seat passengers, while the Cabriolet's seat-mounted side-impact airbags are designed to provide head protection. The Cabriolet features an active rollover protection system located in the double rear bulkhead. Should the car roll, electronic sensors trigger two protective hoops that pop up from behind the rear seats in less than a second. Together with the extremely rigid windscreen frame, these hoops help to maintain an intact survival zone designed to protect all occupants. Rear side-impact airbags are optional ($350) on all models except the Cabriolet.

Interior Features

The interior theme of the Audi A4 is cool and efficient, as it is in Audi's other sedans, and not deliberately snazzy in the fashion of the TT. Materials look and feel richer than those in many other cars in this price range, and the trim matches flawlessly. The cabin beltline is trimmed with aluminum in the 1.8T and real wood in the 3.0. The light-colored wood is used to good effect. It's a handsome interior. The interior of the S4 is handsome. Our seats were trimmed in a gray that was almost white, with black (or nearly black) trim, and dark-gray birch trim adds distinction. The front seats adjust to accommodate people in the six-foot five-inch range. The seats are comfortable and supportive in nearly all circumstances. We thought more side bolstering would have been an improvement, though, to hold driver and passenger firmly when cornering. Leather upholstery is available on the 1.8T sedan and Avant as part of a Premium Package ($2000) that also includes a power moonroof, power seats, HomeLink transmitter and driver information display. A thick, grippy, leather-covered steering wheel and shift lever are standard. The S4 comes with 12-way power Recaro sport seats that are firm, supportive, and comfortable. The S4's leather-wrapped, three-spoke sport steering wheel features shift paddles on Tiptronic models; a four-spoke, wheel with multi-function controls is optional ($150). The driver's view is nearly unobstructed in every direction. The small, sculpted side mirrors are stylish and aerodynamic, but from the driver's seat they offer a limited viewing range. We would sacrifice the look for wider coverage. Some of the switches could be larger, yet those most frequently adjusted, including stereo volume, are large enough. After a bit of familiarization, everything in the A4 is easy to find with minimal distraction. The radial sunroof switch works well; turn it a quarter, half or full turn and the roof opens a corresponding distance. With the Premium Package for 3.0 models ($1,525-$2,300), nearly all temperature, ventilation and stereo adjustments can be made using buttons on the steering wheel hub. Audi's red and white gauge lighting, its warning lights and LEDs, are among the sharpest, most readable going. Flow-control switches on each dash vent are illuminated. In the S4, gray-faced gauges feature the S4 logo. Attention to detail and thoughtful features are everywhere. The wipers make another final sweep several seconds after the washer is used, cleaning those remaining droplets that were blown up the windshield. We love the lock buttons with the little red LED to signal when the doors are locked. Power central locking is executed well, with a central switch to lock all doors. Dealers can program the doors to lock automatically at 8 mph. Turn the key in the driver's door and hold it there and you can raise or lower all windows and sunroof at once. The remote fob is designed to operate at up to 150 feet away. Rear passengers should find adequate legroom in the sedan or Avant, as the A4's design makes great use of the floor space. There's room in back for three, with three-point harnesses at all positions, but it's comfortable with two. Trunk space in the A4 sedan is among the largest in the class (13.4 cubic feet, compared to just 10.7 in the BMW 3 Series and 12.2 in the Mercedes C-Class). Moreover, the lid swings high and back for easy access. Four tie-down hooks in the carpeted floor and a removable grocery net are designed to keep things in place. The rear seat is split 60/40 and folds down for carrying even more stuff. The Cold Weather Package ($625) includes heated front seats a nylon ski sack that allows snow skis to slide through the trunk and into the cabin without leaving a damp mess. The Avant provides a nice, flat cargo area that holds twice as much as the sedan with the seats in place (27.8 cubic feet), and it comes with a retractable luggage cover an