2019 Audi A4

Facing off against the Mercedes-Benz C300, BMW 330i with similar inline-4s as well as the Lexus IS 350 and Infiniti Q50, which come with V6 engines. Despite the competition, the Audi manages to shine through and make a significant mark on the segment. Let's see how well the Audi competes.

The A4 sedan comes in three trims starting with the Premium trim at $37,400 which equips the sedan with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard, heated seats and a 7-inch centre display, the Premium Plus trim adds upgrades like a 12.3ínch display with Audi virtual cockpit and MMI Navigation. The Prestige trim adds Heads-up display, Adaptive cruise control as well as B&O speaker system to the sedan.

Models	Premium	Premium Plus	Prestige
MSRP	$37,400	$42,900	$46,200
Key Features	Audi smartphone interface including Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto for compatible devices	Full LED headlights	Head-up display with navigation
	Audi music interface with two front USB ports for data/charging	Audi virtual cockpit (12.3" LCD fully digital instrument cluster with two visual modes: Classic and Infotainment)	Audi adaptive cruise control with Traffic jam assist
	Heated, eight-way power front seats and four-way power lumbar adjustment for driver	Audi side assist and Audi pre sense rear- with Rear cross traffic assist with Vehicle exit warning	Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound, 19 speakers, 16-channel amplifier and 755 watts
	Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city	MMI Navigation plus and MMI touch with handwriting-recognition technology	Top view camera system
	Rear view camera with 7.0" center color display	Audi phone box (signal booster and wireless charger)	Ambient LED interior lighting plus package

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The Premium Plus trim is the best bang for your buck, it has almost all the necessary features equipped and none of the fancy extras to complicate your experience. You get full LED headlamps and Audi’s virtual cockpit along with MMI Navigation system, a must have in the Audi.

The Audi A4 Prestige 45 TFSI's smooth and powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces excellent acceleration. Strong brakes and sharp handling also help make the A4 enjoyable to drive. But the A4's steering limits driver engagement. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

With 2.0L inline-4 turbo engine similar to the A6 and the Q5 under the hood tuned to 248 hp, the Audi A4 is an underrated all-rounder which has and efficient and effective engine mated to a 7-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. However, the power really hits higher up on the rev range. At lower revs, the throttle feels numb and watered down. The sedan also comes with a 188 hp 2.0L inline-4 turbo which gets you better fuel economy.

Models	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz C300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
MSRP	$42,000	$42,030	$41,400	$38,300	$42,250
Engine	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	3.5L V6 Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	3.0L V6 Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
Transmission	7 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	9 Speed automatic	7 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic
Horsepower	248 hp@ 5000rpm	311 hp@ 6600rpm	255 hp@ 5800rpm	300 hp@ 6400rpm	255 hp@ 5000rpm
Torque	273 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm	277 hp@ 4800rpm	273 hp@1800 rpm	295 hp@ 1500rpm	295 ft-lbs@ 1550rpm

The german sedans from the Merc - the C300 - and from the BMW - the 330i - give the Audi A4 a tough competition with the inline-4s making 255 hp. Lexus IS 350 and Infiniti Q50 come with V6s instead of four bangers making 300+ hp. The Infiniti and BMW have torque-rich engines which make the sedan punchy and fun to drive.

Acceleration

The Audi A4 may not be a performance sedan which could launch off at drag strips, but it delivers excellent acceleration figures. 60 miles an hour from standstill takes merely 5.1 seconds while the quarter mile takes 13.8 seconds. The Quattro system gives immense boost to the acceleration compared to the rear wheel drive sedans.

Models	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz C300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
0-60 MPH	5.1 sec	5.6 sec	5.9 sec	5.5 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter mile	13.8 sec	14 sec	N/A	13.8 sec	13.7 sec
Engine	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	3.5L V6 Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	3.0L V6 Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.5	N/A	6.8	7.7	N/A

You'd find the competition in the rear view mirror as you sprint to 60 faster than the rivals. Close at its heels, is the BMW 330i coming in at 5.3 seconds, followed by the Infiniti Q50 at 5.5 seconds, while the Mercedes takes 5.9 seconds.

Ride and Handling

The understated looks betray the superb handling and driving dynamics of the A4 sedan, thanks to the Quattro all-wheel drive system and other advanced drive assist features. The low stance keeps the sedan planted through the corners and there is minimal body roll. The ride feels firm and decisive but can still manage to absorb most of the bumps and vibrations.

The slight understeer character in conjunction with the precise steering makes the A4 feel weighted and fun to drive at high speeds. In the city premises, the A4 is easy to maneuver through tight spots and parking lots.

Braking

The sedan comes with 13.3-inch discs up front and 13s in the back, while the pedal is easy to modulate and delivers smooth deceleration without sharp jerks. Even under heavy braking, the suspension setup keeps the sedan balanced and there is no significant brake fade upon continuous usage.

Model	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz 300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
Brake Front (in.)	13.3	13.2	13	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	13	13	11.8	12.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3627	3594	3472	3727	3764
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	177 (70-0)	N/A	N/A	N/A

The rivals have slightly smaller brakes to manage the sedans, but you won’t really notice any major differences. However, the BMW 330i has improved brake performance for 2019 and may prove to be a challenge for the Audi.

Even in this arena the Audi trumps the competition, the turbocharged 2.0L is a thrifty engine which gives you up to 34 miles to the gallon on the highways while managing 23 miles to the gallon in the city. The combined average comes to 27 which makes the Audi a pretty affordable daily driver.

Model	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz 300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
MPG (city)	23	20	23	20	23
MPG (highway)	34	28	34	29	33
MPG (combined)	27	23	27	23	27
Range (miles) (city/highway)	413/520	348/487	400/592	400/580	N/A
Tank Capacity (gal)	15.3	17.4	17.4	20.0	15.6

In comparison, the Lexus and Infiniti with V6s manage 20 mpg in the city and a respectable 28 mpg on highways. The Merc and BMW aren’t far behind the Audi and give upto 23 mpg in cities and 33 on highways.

The stylish, functional and well-built cabin puts an emphasis on technology. The optional Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster gets most of the attention, re-creating analog gauges while also displaying navigation and entertainment information. - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

If there’s one thing the Audi A4 is best at, it’s passenger comfort. The spacious interior has plush leather seats with comfortable bolstering and support for long journeys. Most of the surfaces are soft to the touch, however a few hard plastic parts still manage to sneak by. The seats at the back easily accommodate three adults with great ease, and has plenty of headroom for the taller passengers.

Model	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz 300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/55.9/41.3	38.2/55.9/44.8	37.1/55.3/NA	39.5/56.7/44.5	38.7/56/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	/37.454.5/35.7	36.9/53.4/32.2	37.1/55/NA	36.8/56.1/35.1	37.6/54.6/35.2

Even the Infiniti and Lexus has great legroom for its passengers, while the Mercedes compromises on headroom with its sloping roofline. The BMW 330i has upgraded interior for 2019 and is now more spacious than ever before.

Infotainment System

The giant high-definition screen inside the Audi is easy to use and intuitive while driving. Although Apple CarPlay is available as standard, but operating it through the rotary knob often gets tricky. It comes equipped with MMI navigation plus with MMI touch system which is one of a kind. The A4 is equipped with Audi Connect which means it will give you an inbuilt 4G LTE connection. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes standard for this variant.

Cargo Capacity

The A4 sedan is great for carrying cargo at the back, with a huge trunk at the back and the huge opening to improve accessibility. The interior is also conducive to storage options and is exceptionally ergonomic.

Model	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz 300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	13	10.8	12.6	13.5	17

Audi A4’s exterior doesn’t push any boundaries, it just reinforces them. The plain sheet metal on the outside is punctuated with sharp lines that define its edges, perhaps more than any other sedan like it. - Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

Unlike the sharp styling creases you’d find on the A5, the A4 is rather tame and civilized, giving it the sleeper status. As for the updates, the A4 has received a larger front grille and more creases on the hood. The generic layout of the sedan resembles the Volkswagen Passat and the Skoda Superb. With the 4-ringed badge up front, the A4 gets the premium flair accented by the chrome grille and LED daytime running lights.

Model	Audi A4 2.0 TFSI tronic Quattro Prestige sedan	Lexus IS 350 sedan	Mercedes Benz 300 sedan	Infiniti Q50 3.0T Luxe sedan	BMW 330i xDrive sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	3627	3594	3472	3727	3764
Length(in)	186.1	184.3	184.5	189.6	185.7
Width(in)	72.5	71.3	71.3	71.8	71.9
Height(in)	56.2	56.3	56.3	56.8	57
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	5.3	3.8	5.1	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	111	110.2	111.8	112.2	112.2
Track width (in) F/R	61.9/61.2	60.4/61	61.5/60.9	60.8/61.8	62.3/62.9

Compared to the Lexus and the Infiniti, the Audi feels much smaller in size and dimensions. Merc and BMW are practically the same size as the Audi but the Merc gets you bigger passenger room inside. The BMW’s short stature benefits its maneuverability in tight spaces.

Safety features

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Audi pre sense basic
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• SIDEGUARD Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3...
• Back-Up Camera

Audi A4 vs Mercedes-Benz C300

The Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan is a comparatively more luxurious and powerful sedan against the Audi A4. However, the Audi A4 is one of the forerunners in the infotainment arena, but the Merc keeps up with their revamped system. In terms of practicality, the Mercedes trumps the Audi with not only a better cabin but also a larger cargo bay.

Audi A4 vs Lexus IS 350

The Lexus IS 350 is a one of the biggest threats to the A4, it gets a massive V6 compared to the inline-4 of the Audi, potent enough to compete with the S4 at the price of the A4. The interior is decked out with premium materials and exotic styling, departure from the vanilla interiors of the Audi you’ve been seeing for ages. However, in terms of driving feel, the Lexus still can’t keep up with Audi Quattro system.

You better not judge a book by its cover and underestimate the capabilities of the Audi A4. It is powerful enough to compete with V6s and advanced enough to take on the Mercedes. If you’re looking to daily drive a modern day sleeper, this sedan should be on top of your list, combining practicality with performance.