The Audi A4 directly competes with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. These are all quality executive vehicles and to be honest the choice will come down to personal preference.

Interior & Comfort:
The new Audi A4‘s interior is packed with gadgets and technology, featuring loads of equipment and design ideas from other recently revised Audi models like the Audi TT coupe, Audi R8 supercar and Audi Q7 SUV. It also has an incredibly well built interior that just oozes class and sophistication.

Tech:
The Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster originally seen in the TT has been carried over to the A4.(But it is an optional extra). It is easy to use and looks great. It integrates well with the Navigation system. Standard tech is not bad, but I would advise you to invest in the Virtual Cockpit (and also Navigation) at least, even if you don’t take any other extras. Also consider a S-Line package because the standard trim looks plain.

Other options include:
Adaptive cruise control, adaptive dampers, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, LED ‘Matrix’ headlights, styling packages and a huge range of accessories. However, they are pricey. There’s also a choice of two adaptive suspension setups – Comfort or Sport. The former is the much better option, as it makes the A4 about as comfortable as it can be, adjusting how firm the suspension is depending on the road quality and how vigorously you’re driving.

Practicality:

A4 provides more space inside – comfortably fitting three adults in the rear. Boot space is 480 litres

The Drive:
While the BMW has historically had better steering response, the current A4 has improved in this area compared to its predecessor. The suspension in the A4 is also softer than before, making the ride more comfortable. This can be further improved with the Adaptive Comfort suspension system, however this is a costly optional extra. The 1.4T FSi I drove did not feel underpowered. In fact the 1.4T FSi would be my choice for the daily commute, it goes well and is very economical.

Models & Performance Figures:
1.4 T FSI manual (110kW/250Nm)
1.4 T FSI S tronic (110kW/250Nm)
1.4 T FSI S tronic Sport (110kW/250Nm)
1.4 T FSI S tronic Design (110kW/250Nm)
2.0 T FSI S tronic (140kW/320Nm)
2.0 T FSI S tronic Sport (140kW/320Nm)
2.0 T FSI S tronic Design (140kW/320Nm)

Verdict:
The latest Audi A4 is vastly improved from the old model – it’s more spacious, more economical and more comfortable. The options list is staggering, so expect to add around R120k worth of extras if you want the best Audi can give you. You need to really look closely to see the exterior differences between the new A4 and the old model, but believe me it is a totally different vehicle, overall it is much better than the previous model.

The Rivals:
BMW 318i manual (100kW/220Nm)
BMW 320i auto (135kW/290Nm)
Infiniti Q50 2.0T manual (155kW/350Nm)
Mercedes-Benz C180 manual (115kW/250Nm)
Mercedes-Benz C200 auto (135kW/300Nm)
Volvo S60 T4 Momentum (140kW/300Nm)

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