Audi A4 (2016-2024) review | Classy compact executive saloon and estate

What is the Audi A4?

If you’ve ever been in the market for a medium-sized executive saloon or estate car, the chances are you’ve heard of the Audi A4. It’s one of the trifecta of aspirational German executive cars that have grown enormously popular in the last couple of decades, the other two being the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

This fifth-generation version - the last of the line - is arguably the most complete A4 of the lot. Granted, it isn’t as much fun to drive as the equivalent 3 Series, or as aspirational as the Mercedes C-Class, but from its smart looks to its beautifully put-together interior, its spacious seating and its range of impressively efficient engines, this A4 has a vast amount to offer buyers.

In 2024, the A4 was replaced with the A5. The A5 used to denote Audi's similarly sized coupe, but the latest version is a direct successor to the A4, because Audi has realigned its naming conventions. Even numbers now denote electric cars, while odd numbers denote combustion-engined cars.

How practical is it?

The A4 is about on par for the course in terms of its boot space: if that sounds like damning the car with faint praise, it certainly isn’t. Luggage space is identical in volume to that of the contemporary BMW 3 Series, which means you get a bigger boot than you do in either the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Jaguar XE.

Of course, the more utilitarian Volkswagen Passat’s boot is bigger still, but in terms of premium saloons, the A4’s boot is about as roomy as it gets, and the rear seats split and fold into three sections, rather than just two, which makes them more flexible than many rivals’.

For rear-seat passengers, the amount of space on offer is decent enough, if not outstanding: again, the Passat does better here, and while the A4 is also bested by the 3 Series. Howeverm, the C-Class and Jaguar XE both feel tighter than the Audi. Up front, meanwhile, there’s as much room as you could hope for.

In addition to the four-door saloon, there’s a five-door estate option badged as the Audi A4 Avant. Don’t expect this to be quite as good for practicality as larger estates like the Volkswagen Passat Estate, but if all you need’s a little extra space for a dog or for runs to the tip, it should be perfectly adequate.

What's it like to drive?

In terms of handling, the A4 is satisfying rather than scintillating. Front-wheel-drive versions feel planted and assured, with good body control and strong grip, while the availability of quattro all-wheel drive on some models gives the A4 true all-weather ability.

Don't expect the kind of feedback or engagement that a contemporary BMW 3 Series or Alfa Romeo Giulia give you, but if those kind of things aren't a priority then this Audi – whether it's a saloon or A4 Avant estate model – remains a very good car to drive.

The ride quality provided by the A4 is firm-but-fair. It's not as cosseting as you get in most versions of the C-Class, but it's slightly cushier than in most versions of the 3 Series. It's a very decent halfway house, and most drivers will be kept happy enough. That said, you're best off sticking to examples with smaller alloy wheels, because the car is quite sensitve to this, and bigger rims can make things feel a lot more jiggly.

With smooth engines and excellent insulation from road- and wind noise, the A4 is also a great car on the motorway, and for covering long distances in general.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

As with other modern Audis, the A4 saloon and A4 Avant also feature a first-class infotainment system and are available with the German company's excellent Virtual Cockpit digital dial setup. It should come as no surprise, then, that it’s proven immensely popular in the UK.

The core model range consists of three main versions: the SE, Sport and S Line, each featuring similar equipment but growing progressively sportier-looking. With that in mind, we reckon the SE (later SE Technik or just Technik) is the best bet, as it offers plenty of features (including climate control, cruise control, and alloy wheels) at a lower price than the other two models.

Of course, it doesn’t look quite as eye-catching as the more popular S Line, with its sporty body kit, but beware the big wheels and stiffer suspension that the S Line comes with as standard; both of these make the A4 ride stiffly, which can be uncomfortable. The same goes for the sportier Black Edition and plush Vorsprung trim levels.

Audi A4 running costs

For maximum mpg the most economical A4 is the entry-level 2.0-litre diesel, though as this is a bit sluggish, we’d recommend upgrading to the 2.0 TDI Ultra, which has a power advantage of more than 50bhp, yet is only fractionally less economical. Reckon on getting around 50-55mpg in the real world, depending on your driving style.

Petrol models aren’t quite as economical, as you can imagine, but you’d be surprised how close you can get. The 2.0-litre Ultra version should achieve around 40-45mpg on average, about the same as the 1.4-litre model that’s considerably less powerful, which makes it well worth considering if you don’t do a high mileage.

With such a broad range of engines offered over the A4's lifespan, it's no surprise that insurance groupings ar just as broad. The mainstream versions will carry a grouping of anywhere between 19 and 39 depending on engine and trim level. The high-performance S4 version will sit between groups 42 and 44, while the even-pokier RS4 will carry a classification of between 44 and 50, the latter being the priciest insurance group there is.

Audi A4 reliability

This generation of A4 has been fairly reliable, so there aren’t that many issues to be concerned about. However, you should still go into inspecting any used example with your eyes open.

One issue that may be of concern is persistent vibration in V6 diesel models, a characteristic that’s been reported by more than one owner. With that in mind, it’s worth making sure you test drive any V6 diesel A4 you plan to buy thoroughly.

A4s fitted with the 2.0 TFSI engine were subject to a recall in 2017 to solve a coolant pump issue. If you buy one of the affected cars, it should have been fixed for free by Audi, but it’s worth checking and, if the recall hasn’t been carried out already, have it done.

Audi's warranty runs for three years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes sooner. That's not quite as good as the warranty on a BMW 3 Series, which also lasts for three years but doesn't have a mileage limit.