The 2012 Audi A4 is available in three trims. The base trim of the A4, which is the Premium trim, comes with a sticker price of $32,500 and offers a ton of standard features. The Premium Plus and Prestige are the other two trims and get slight bumps in the prices. The two upper trims also come with an extended list of features along with additional technology. The Premium and Premium Plus trims also come with FrontTrak and CVT as standard.

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The Premium Plus trim is the choice to go for as it adds much-needed comfort and safety features over the standard list of available features. It makes for a better value for money choice than the other two trims. The Premium has too few features for the price point, whereas the Prestige trim has too many features that makes the car more complicated. All in all, the perfect balance of value and features can be found in the mid-range Premium Plus trim.

There is only one engine option available in the 2012 Audi A4. The engine is quite punchy yet efficient. It is a 2.0-liter Turbo Inline-4 motor that produces 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine offers better power than a few other rivals with their standard engine. While most other brands choose a 6 pot engine to power their cars in the segment, Audi uses an inline-4, and while it loses two cylinders, it gains a lot more in terms of efficiency. 

As standard, you get an FWD configuration named FrontTrak along with CVT Multitronic transmission. There is an optional four-wheel-drive Quattro system available in the 2.0T Quattro variants, and it comes with a choice of a standard six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed quick shift automatic transmission. In terms of outright acceleration, 60 MPH comes up in 6.2 seconds. The CVT variant runs a bit slower, covering 0-60 MPH in 7.7 seconds.

BMW is the fastest to 60 MPH, followed by Mercedes. The 328i sedan also offers the most power on paper. The Mercedes C250 has the most underpowered engine of the lot at 201 hp, however, it manages to offer a better torque figure than Infiniti in the competition. While others are RWD, Audi is the only FWD car in the segment. When comparing the price tag, BMW is the most expensive option, although by a slight margin of around $100.

The 2.0L turbo inline-4 engine is punchy and offers rapid acceleration, but alongside, it also offers better fuel economy than most other rivals in the segment. While the figures are not exceptionally high, they still are enough to give the A4 a respectable spot. The EPA estimates the 2012 A4 to return 22 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG in combined driving conditions. With a fuel tank of 16 gallons, the overall combined range stands at around 400 miles.

BMW offers slightly better MPG than Audi, even though the former offers more power. BMW has a slightly smaller fuel tank, but it still offers a better driving range than Audi. Infiniti has the biggest fuel tank, allowing close to 600 miles of driving range on the highway. Despite having the least power output with its 1.8L engine, Mercedes fails to impress in the fuel economy department.

There is no lack of space upfront in the 2012 Audi A4. Alongside space, you get one of the most comfortable bucket seats that have been put up in a car. They offer good side bolstering, and being a little flat at the bottom, they come with better thigh support. There are no issues with the seating up front, however, once you get in the rear, you will notice the space being a little snug for adults. 

The rear seats have been made a little practical since the redesign in 2009 but remain barely usable for adults. Tall passengers will suffer from less headroom and legroom alike. As standard, you get automatic climate control, 8-way power front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather upholstery. Apart from the lack of space, the use of premium materials all around and a well-equipped cabin make it one of the best interiors in the entry-level luxury sedan segment.

All the cars offer identical seating inside, which makes them all equally comfortable. BMW again has the biggest trunk, whereas the Audi lacks in terms of cargo space by having the smallest trunk at 12.4 cubic feet. All the sedans offer seating space for 5, which is the segment standard. Standout interior features include:

• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Heated front seats
• Driver memory functions
• Leather upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2012 Audi A4 Sedan’s infotainment unit?

Audi uses its signature MMI infotainment system in the 2012 A4. This system is more like the iDrive system from BMW. It comes with a rotary control that helps you control the functions of the infotainment system. Although it comes with many features, Bluetooth connectivity, which should be a standard feature, is an option, and there is no availability of a USB port. 

The MMI Plus Navigation package available on the Premium Plus trim adds a navigation system with real-time traffic, digital music storage, HD radio, and voice controls. The Prestige trim comes standard with the Navigation package and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Standout infotainment features include:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Auxiliary input jack
• CD Player
• MP3 Player
• Available 10 speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
• Satellite radio

The A4 had a major redesign in 2009, which results in 2012 MY still looking fresh. The corporate grille with a lower stance and a wider body gives the car a sleek yet aggressive look. As standard, you get 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and automatic headlights, while it can be upgraded to 18-inch wheels in the Premium Plus trim along with sporty S line bodywork. The Prestige trim can be had with optional 19-inch wheels along with standard adaptive headlights and a power liftgate.

At the front, the hood also becomes longer, and the LED daytime running lights with the canted headlights are a part that you can also see on the A5 sedan, and it gives the car a better look from all angles. In short, even after 3 years of getting a major redesign, the A4 still looks excellent. The sedan weighs 3,505 lbs and stands 5 inches above the ground.

BMW has the highest ground clearance, thus it would offer a better ride over rough surfaces, and will overcome high road obstacles and bumps easily. Audi is the heaviest, while the Infiniti G25 is the lightest and is also the longest. When comparing the wheelbase of the sedans in the competition, Infiniti offers the longest wheelbase at 112.2 inches. Standout exterior features include:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Sunroof
• Sporty S line bodywork
• Adaptive headlights
• Power liftgate

Audi is a premium brand and thus has given full attention to making the A4 as safe as it can practically be. With a host of safety features and structural improvements, it passed the tests conducted by the top safety institutions with flying colors. IIHS gave it the top rating of ‘Good’ in almost all the tests and also awarded it with the ‘Top Safety Pick’ title. NHTSA revised their testing for the current year, and in that, A4 managed to score an overall rating of four out of five stars. The standard list of safety features include airbags, traction control, and stability control with ABS. Standout safety features include:

• Rearview Camera
• Blindspot monitor
• Active braking guard
• Lane Departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control

The Audi A4 saw a generation change in 2009, and it has come a long way from there. But still, it remains one of the best-selling cars, which further states how good it is. In the segment, the sedan seems to be one of the best choices as it offers a good engine, upscale and premium interior, and a performance-based ‘S’ version. The only disappointment seems to be the outdated infotainment system with a lack of connectivity features and less space at the back. Apart from these minor issues, you will be more than happy to buy the 2012 Audi A4.