2013 Audi A4

The Audi A4 is often a top-pick in the segment, owing to its classy and elegant styling that has been upgraded with subtle cues. The interiors have been known for their serene and luxurious layout, along with modern infotainment functions. In terms of performance, a puny turbocharged engine awaits to be ignited and surprise the ones who judge the A4 based on the figures. However, it has never been alone, in being a top-notch entry-level luxury sedan pick.

The 2013 Audi A4 Sedan has been hit with a mid-cycle refresh but it continues to offers three different trim iterations, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. These offer different variety of features varying from amenities to lavish additions. In addition, buyers also get the option to choose between the front wheel and all-wheel drive, along with three different gearboxes- CVT, Manual, and Automatic. The very basic A4 configuration starts as low as $32,000 for a front-whee-driven, CVT-fitted sedan, while the range-topping Prestige AWD Automatic carries a sticker price of $44,350. The German automaker has smartly stuffed the A4 sedan with a long list of features, even the base trim is generously loaded with goodies like 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, a sunroof, and automatic climate control. Higher trims get better specifications and also access to well-defined optional packages. 

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The 2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus bridges the gap between the base Premium and top-spec Prestige trim. It is balanced with useful luxury and lavish design. We also recommend opting for the manual Quattro all-wheel-drive model to have brisk acceleration and confident driving dynamics, along with impressive fuel economy.

The 2013 Audi A4 Sedan comes with a single engine option, a 2.0L turbocharged unit that produces 211-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes standard, while buyers can also opt for either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Similarly, front-wheel-drive is standard, whereas buyers can only opt for all-wheel-drive with manual and automatic models.

The engine might not crank out burly or brawny figures, but the refinement is appreciable. The CVTs are obviously slow and sluggish, but pairing the manual with Quattro all-wheel-drive allows the A4 to scoot off from 0-60mph in 6.2-seconds. It offers a relaxed ride quality, yet it’s on the firm side, and the heavy-nose dynamics might not be enjoyed by everyone.

The 2013 A4 now comes equipped with an electric power steering that makes the handling sharper but don’t expect great feedback. It remains planted and well-behaved, while the Quattro all-wheel-drive can further enhance the grip and confidence behind the wheels.

If you ought to show off agility and nimbleness, the Audi A4 would be your partner in crime, just look behind those figures and enjoy. The Acura TL, which produces maximum output of 280hp and 254lb.-ft of torque, too punches out great figures and displays its fast-moving nature, but the Lexus and Mercedes-Benz are slightly sluggish and take in excess of 7 seconds to hit the 60mph mark. 

The Audi A4, similar to previous generations, imparts generous ride quality, and exciting economy figures. The bread-and-butter sedan of the German automakers promises 26 MPG combined EPA estimates. It is also paired with a 16.9-gallon fuel tank. Buyers opting for manual with Quattro all-wheel-drive won’t see a significant difference in economy, while the automatic transmission is estimated to deliver 24 MPG combined. The 2013 A4 averages 405 city miles and 523 highway miles, averaging a combined mileage of 439 miles.

The Audi A4 takes the podium-top spot with the best figures. Rivals are behind though only diminutively, with the 2013 Acura TL managing the least efficiency of 23 MPG. However, it does feature the most voluminous tank that can hold 18.5-gallons and covers a comparable range. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and 2013 Lexus IS 250 manage 25 and 24 MPG, respectively, and feature sizable tanks. 

The interiors of the 2013 Audi A4 Sedan are gorgeous and elegant and brag about being completely redesigned, but sharp eyes won’t have any hard time finding retained features and layout. 

Ingress and egress are easy, and the front seats are comfortable. The base trim itself fits with power-adjustable front seats as standard. The dashboard design is minimal and elegant, showcases soft-touch surfaces, similar to other cabin surfaces. The rear seats are relaxing and supportive, but being over 6-foot tall would result in cramped headroom and legroom. 

The upper trims decorate the cabin with plush leather surfaces along with wood inlays, aluminum trims, and other premium garnishings. The A4 offers 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats when it comes to holding luggage. But then 60/40 split-folding rear seats raise the same volume.

The Audi A4 isn’t the only contestant to provide premium and lavish interiors, despite being entry-level sedans. The rivals have luxurious and austere interiors, while Lexus utilizes traditional Japanese design, which would make it stand out in the crowd of German luxury sedans. While space is maximum upfront in 2013 IS 250 sedan, the Acura TL provides proportionate space for both rows. Cargo capacity is similar and highest in both these vehicles, while the Mercedes-Benz manages a similar trunk volume as the Audi.

The best highlights of the interior include:

• Eight-way power front seats with four-way driver-seat lumbar
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Driver memory functions
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Faux suede

How intuitive is the 2013 Audi A4 Sedan's infotainment unit?

The 2013 Audi A4 Premium trim features an advanced dash-mounted MMI electronics interface. Thus the center stack is busy with intuitive buttons and displays, plus it also adds a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio. Each trim adds optional packages for improved feature load. While the base trim gets the Convenience package, the Premium Plus and Prestige trims get MMI Navigation and Navigation Packages respectively. 

Some salient infotainment features include:

• Radio Data System
• Diversity Antenna 
• Speed-Sensitive Volume Control
• Satellite Radio
• AM/FM Stereo
• 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen Premium Sound System

The 2013 Audi A4 Sedan continues to have German flair with a bold and aggressive stance. With subtle changes like reworked headlights, grille, and vents, the front fascia looks refreshed. The side stance still imparts a confident and planted stance. In the rear, the rear boot spoiler makes the A4 look sporty. The side stance has a clean bodyline that runs along the length of the German entry-level sedan and is hard to keep your hands off. The overall design is surely head-turning with a pinch of aggression owing to the refreshed front fascia.

The Acura TL weighs the heftiest in the lot, and the uninspiring looks would definitely keep buyers away. But both the German sedans are sure to attract the most crowd. While the Acura TL is the longest, tallest, and widest measuring 194, 74, and 57.2 inches, the Audi A4 sports the longest wheelbase of 110.6 inches. It is also relatively larger than the Lexus and the Mercedes-Benz.

The exterior highlights of the 2013 Audi A4 include:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights and wipers
• Xenon headlights
• LED running lights and taillights
• Aluminum window trim
• Optional 18-inch wheels with performance tires

If there’s a German-badged sedan, it would definitely stand against some unfortunate times and keep the occupants safe. The 2013 A4 stands true to the reputation that the German automaker has earned in years. The NHTSA has not tested the A4, but the IIHS has awarded it with an impressive overall “Good” safety ratings.

The list of safety aids equipped include:

• Antilock brakes
• Stability and traction control
• Front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags
• Rear-seat side airbags
• Blind-spot warning system
• Adaptive cruise control

The 2013 Audi A4 Sedan has received subtle changes with the mid-cycle refresh. But these changes don’t change the huge following that the A4 has created. The refreshed exteriors and interiors would excite the buyers, besides, there’s an addition of various features distributed amongst the three available trims. The A4 also lets the buyer choose the perfect powertrain configuration which is an added bonus.