Used Audi A4 Review (2015-present) MK5
Independent review by Peter Hayward from Driving Force
4-minute read
Overview
- Well-equipped as standard
- Wide variety of powertrains
- Great all-round capabilities
- More expensive than some rivals
- Model line-up can be confusing
- Sportier versions are less comfortable
What's the Audi A4 like?
Audi cars generally have a wide reputation as excellent all-round premium cars, and the mid-range executive A4 is top quality just like all the others.
From the brilliant interior to the wide range of engines and excellent handling, this is a car that’s a joy to drive.
But there's a wide and bewildering range of models to choose from – especially if you also want any of the extra packs in your used buy, so do your homework before you head out to look.
The latest model, with a mid-range facelift, has been on the road since 2015 and it's right up there with most rivals.
Driving Experience and Bodystyles
Performance is very good to brilliant and the excellent comfort and handling really are something to experience.
Peter Hayward
The cars are as beautifully finished as they ever were and as well as the 4-door saloon, there’s an estate of course, and an Allroad quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), which is decently capable off-road.
And as if those choices were not enough, many of the saloon and estate models were also available with the quattro system.
But remember, AWD adds weight, and that means those models are heavier on fuel than the front-wheel drive range.
Engines
In this most recent guise, the A4 has been available in a total of 16 power outputs, covering both petrol and diesel engines.
So, I don’t have space here to cover them all, and will concentrate on the models that I’ve found to be most common on the used market.
There have been two sizes of diesel since 2015 – a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder and a 3.0-litre V6.
The 2.0-litre TDI was available in five different power outputs ranging from 136 to 204bhp.
Most common is the 150bhp variant, which reaches 60mph from rest in 8.3 seconds and is still capable of an excellent 70mpg.
The next most popular is a 190bhp version, which gets to 60mph in 7.5 seconds, and is capable of 67mpg.
The 3.0-litre TDI comes with a standard automatic gearbox and quattro AWD, and has either 218 or 272bhp.
The most powerful of the two brings up the 60mph sprint in a scorching 5.1 seconds and will still cover a best of no less than 55mpg in the economy stakes.
On the petrol power list are two engines – the well-known 1.4-litre Turbo from the VW stable with 150bhp and a 2.0-litre turbo with power ranging from 150 to a stonking 252bhp.
The 1.4-litre gets to 60mph in 8.4 seconds and will do 52mpg, while the 252bhp quattro, with standard automatic box, takes 5.6 seconds for the sprint and can do 45mpg.
Equipment
There are basically five trim levels, but each of them had a long list of personalisation options.
Regardless of which model suits your pocket, all come pretty well-equipped and every one has a standard setup of LED headlights, cruise control, reversing camera and sensors, big alloy wheels and 10-inch Navigation Plus infotainment.
The standard alloy wheels are 17-inch but larger ones will have been fitted to many cars. These and sports suspension do affect the comfort to a greater or lesser degree, so make sure you can live with the ride.
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Find your Used Audi A4 your way with CarStore
If you're after an executive car that offers good levels of equipment and a very economical range of powertrains, then the Audi A4 will be right up your street. A sophisticated and top-quality design ensure the A4 stacks up well against rivals.
