2026 Audi A4

The revived-name 2026 A4 (B10 platform, sedan bodystyle previously sold as the 2025 A5) uses Audi's EA888 evo5 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 with 48V mild hybrid. The volume US trim is the 45 TFSI quattro at 268 hp; a lower-output 40 TFSI (201 hp) is offered in some markets but is not the US volume seller.

Peak torque of the 45 TFSI 2.0L turbo four with mild hybrid assist; delivered from ~1,900 rpm across a broad plateau.

Manufacturer estimate for the volume 45 TFSI quattro; independent instrumented tests of the outgoing B9 A4 45 TFSI in this range corroborate. S4 (separate model) is considerably quicker but scored separately.

The 2.0T with 48V MHEV delivers smooth midrange thrust and quiet cruising typical of the compact luxury benchmark, but early reviews of the B10 platform note some off-idle turbo lag and a slightly grainy top-end note under hard acceleration — good, not class-leading among ICE rivals like the Alfa Giulia and BMW 330i.

The 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch shifts quickly and matches the driver's intent at speed, but exhibits the low-speed lurch and creep hesitation typical of DCTs when maneuvering in traffic or parking lots — a known Audi trait rather than a step forward.

Quattro AWD is standard on the 45 TFSI volume trim in the US, with Audi's well-regarded torque-vectoring on demand and a sport differential optional on higher trims. Base 40 TFSI FWD is not sold in the US, so effectively every US A4 is AWD.

US A4 lineup is a single 2.0T mild-hybrid gas engine — no PHEV or EV variants (Audi funnels electrified compact sedan buyers to the A6 e-tron / e-tron GT / A3). The S4 exists as a separately scored performance halo. Narrow lineup vs. BMW 3 Series (330i, 330e PHEV, M340i, M3) and Mercedes C-Class (C300, C43, C63 hybrid).

The volume 45 TFSI quattro 2.0T with 48V mild-hybrid returns roughly 27 MPG combined — modest for the compact luxury sedan class where hybridized rivals (Lexus IS, Volvo S60 Recharge) and EVs (BMW i4) score meaningfully better.

24 MPG city reflects the AWD 2.0T with a 7-speed DCT and only a 48V mild-hybrid — no full hybrid regeneration or EV creep, so stop-and-go efficiency lags hybridized peers by roughly 10–15 MPG.

32 MPG highway is respectable given standard quattro AWD and a turbo four, but well behind FWD compact sedans and any electrified rival in the segment.

15.9-gallon tank × 27 combined MPG yields ~429 mi mixed-driving range, or ~509 mi at the highway rating — mid-pack for compact luxury sedans and constrained by the modest tank size.

At 27 MPG combined on required premium (91 AKI) and 15k mi/yr, EPA estimates roughly $2,500 in annual fuel — high for a compact sedan because both the mediocre economy and the premium-only fuel spec compound.

The A4's 2.0T is required — not just recommended — to run on 91-octane premium unleaded per Audi's owner's manual, adding roughly 40–60¢/gal versus regular. No E85, diesel, or home-charging alternative exists on this sedan.

New-generation A4 (B10 platform, marketed as A5 sedan in some markets) not yet NHTSA-tested; prior generation earned 5 stars overall and the platform inherits Audi's crash structure so 5 stars is the reasonable expectation.

Prior-generation A4 was a repeat IIHS Top Safety Pick+ recipient; new generation on the MLB Evo platform is expected to score similarly but has not yet been tested under IIHS's current updated small-overlap and side crash protocols.

Audi pre sense (front AEB with pedestrian detection), active lane assist, and adaptive cruise are standard on the volume trim. Blind-spot monitoring (Audi side assist) and rear cross-traffic are still bundled into the Convenience/Assistance package on Premium — narrowly missing the 'all standard' bar.

Prior-generation Audi pre sense front received 'Superior' IIHS ratings for daytime vehicle-to-vehicle; pedestrian nighttime performance has historically been merely 'Advanced'. New-gen expected to hold ground but has not been independently retested.

Audi side assist with rear cross-traffic assist and exit warning available across the range; the system has active alerts (steering-wheel LED plus mirror indicator) but is not standard on the base Premium trim.

Audi active lane assist provides adequate centering on well-marked highways; reviewers describe it as smooth but less confident than the best in class (BMW Driving Assistant Pro, Genesis Highway Driving Assist), with occasional handoffs on faded lane lines.

Audi adaptive cruise assist combines full-speed-range ACC with lane centering; reviewers consistently praise the smoothness of stop-and-go behavior and speed adaptation using nav data. Not hands-free but among the more polished hands-on systems.

Audi does not offer a hands-free highway driving system (no equivalent to Ford BlueCruise, GM Super Cruise, or Tesla FSD Supervised) on the 2026 A4 in the US market. All ADAS features remain hands-on.

LED headlights are standard and Audi's Digital Matrix LED technology is available on upper trims — one of the strongest lighting offerings in the segment. IIHS 'Good' rating expected across the trim range based on prior-gen results.

Compact luxury sedan proportions with fairly thick C-pillars and a rising beltline produce average natural sightlines; the standard rearview camera and available top-view 360° camera compensate for most parking blind zones.

Two outboard LATCH sets on a compact sedan bench; anchors are set fairly deep in the seat bight, and the rear door opening plus rear legroom are tight for a rear-facing infant seat behind a taller driver. Fitting three car seats across is impractical.

Standard 2+3 sedan layout with three-passenger rear bench across all trims.

Front headroom is generous for a compact luxury sedan; panoramic sunroof reduces this slightly on so-equipped trims.

Front legroom is average for the compact luxury sedan segment, matching the outgoing B9.5 platform figures.

Rear headroom is competitive for the class; the sloping roofline limits taller passengers slightly.

Rear legroom is tight for the class — comparable to the BMW 3 Series but well behind roomier rivals like the Genesis G70. Adults fit for short trips only.

Trunk volume is on the small side for a compact luxury sedan; 40/20/40 folding rear seats expand cargo but the trunk opening is narrow.

Competent center console, door bins, and wireless charging pad, but no standout innovations. Reviewers note storage is adequate rather than clever, with modest cubby space up front.

Front seats are widely praised for long-haul support with extendable thigh cushions on sport seats and power lumbar on Premium Plus and up. Optional massage on Prestige elevates long-trip comfort; rear bench is firm but well-shaped for two adults.

Standard suspension is composed and comfortable at cruise but reviewers note some reactivity over high-frequency road imperfections. The adaptive damper option on S line and Prestige trims improves compliance.

Highway cruising is hushed with acoustic front glass on higher trims, though multiple reviewers note more wind and tire noise than expected for the luxury class.

Standard three-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats; ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats bundled into Premium Plus/Prestige comfort packages. Remote pre-conditioning available via myAudi app.

2024 A4 40 TFSI Premium landed at $43,990 with destination; a typical annual bump plus mid-cycle content puts the 2026 base near $44,900. That's roughly $6k above the A3 base and lines up with BMW 330i and Mercedes C 300 pricing.

The volume A4 is the Premium Plus with quattro AWD, S line pack, and the tech/convenience bundle — real transaction prices cluster near $50–52k. Above the A3 volume trim and roughly on par with a well-equipped BMW 330i xDrive.

Turbo-4 with quattro AWD, premium fuel, and dealer-required servicing. Edmunds/CarEdge class data for A4 puts 5-year maintenance + repair near $8,400 — a step above A3 due to more service points on the AWD hardware and slightly higher parts costs.

Compact luxury sedans depreciate faster than SUVs. A4 residuals sit in the mid-40s — comparable to BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, ahead of BMW i4/Tesla Model 3 but behind Genesis G70 and Lexus IS. Segment demand has softened as buyers migrate to Q3/Q5.

Standard Audi New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Middle-of-the-pack for luxury (BMW/Mercedes also 4/50); well behind Genesis (5/60) and Jaguar (5/60).

Audi eliminated its separate longer powertrain warranty starting with MY2020 — powertrain coverage now matches the 4/50 basic. Well below the 5–10 year band norm and dramatically shorter than Hyundai/Kia/Genesis's 10-year powertrain.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance included — Audi Care is a paid pre-paid maintenance plan ($1,000+ extra). Included: 24/7 roadside assistance for the 4-yr warranty period plus a modest Audi connect PLUS trial. Well behind BMW's older 3-yr Ultimate Care benchmark and dramatically behind Genesis/Jaguar's included maintenance programs.

$50,900 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (46% retained, or about $23,414) leaves about $27,486 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,400 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $35,886 in total.

The A4 has a modestly better predicted-reliability history than the smaller A3 — Consumer Reports has typically placed the A4 near the middle of Audi's own lineup, and its powertrain has been in service longer with fewer teething issues. Still constrained by Audi's below-average brand baseline.

Audi's multi-year dependability standing is consistently mid-pack to below-average — better than Land Rover/Alfa but well behind Lexus, Toyota, and Buick, and slightly trailing BMW and Mercedes in recent studies.

Recent-generation A4 has had a typical count of NHTSA recalls (fuel pump, airbag control unit, camshaft position sensor software) but nothing systemic, and no fire/crash-critical campaigns for the run.

The A4's 2.0T EA888 evo4 is a proven VW Group four with a strong high-mileage record; paired with the ZF 7-speed S tronic (DL382 wet-clutch DCT), which has shed the DQ200 dry-clutch reputation issues of the last decade.

A4 cabin materials are a segment benchmark — soft-touch dash, deep-quality switchgear, cohesive infotainment integration and less piano-black plastic in the lower console than the A3. Class-competitive with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, only trailed by Genesis G70 and Volvo S60 among sedans at this price.

Audi assembly quality — panel gaps, switch action, cabin damping — is consistently a segment benchmark; A4 sedans are built at Audi's Ingolstadt/Neckarsulm facilities with strong initial-quality scores.

Roughly 300 US Audi dealers — adequate national coverage but visibly sparser than BMW (~350) or Mercedes-Benz (~380), and thin in rural areas. Service satisfaction scores mid-pack for luxury.

European luxury parts pricing and specialized labor rates push repair costs well above mainstream sedans; VW Group parts commonality on wear items helps availability, but dealer-only diagnostics and specialty tools push routine repair pricing high.

The new-generation 2026 A4 on Audi's PPC platform runs a curved 14.5-inch MMI touch display paired with an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit; the same 14.5-inch panel is standard on Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

The new Android Automotive-based MMI is quick with sharp graphics and logical menus, but reviewers ding it for burying climate controls under touch tiles now that Audi has removed the rotary controller and most hard keys.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every 2026 A4 trim, along with an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot via Audi connect.

MMI Navigation plus with natural-language voice control is standard, and the new PPC-based MMI adds an AI-enhanced assistant (Audi's OpenAI-powered chatbot integration for MY26) that handles conversational commands better than most rivals.

The 10-speaker Audi sound system is competent standard; the optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound (16 speakers, ~685W) on Premium Plus/Prestige is class-leading and lifts the audio ceiling well above rivals like the Alfa Giulia and Genesis G70.

An 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus is standard on every US trim — larger and sharper than the A3's 10.25-inch base cluster, with full-screen navigation view and multiple layouts; one of the best digital gauge implementations in the segment.

The new PPC/E3 1.2 electrical architecture supports whole-vehicle OTA updates (infotainment, connectivity, and select control-module firmware), a meaningful step up from the MQB-based A3 which is limited to MMI/nav OTAs — still short of Tesla/Volvo's pace but ahead of BMW iDrive 8 in scope.

The myAudi app on the new PPC A4 adds vehicle status, remote lock/unlock, vehicle locate, and remote start (via Audi connect PLUS), but higher-value features are subscription-gated after the trial and Audi still does not offer phone-as-key on this car unlike BMW Digital Key Plus or MB Digital Vehicle Key.

Four USB-C ports (two front, two rear) are standard, and wireless phone charging with signal booster is now standard on Premium Plus and Prestige — better port coverage than the A3, though there is no household 110V AC outlet.

Push-button start is standard; Advanced Key (proximity entry) is standard on Premium Plus and Prestige and optional on Premium — broader availability than A3 — but there is no phone-as-key option.

Rear-view camera and Audi parking system plus (front + rear sensors) are standard; a 360-degree top-view camera and Park Assist Plus with automated parking are available on Premium Plus/Prestige — a meaningful upgrade vs the A3 which has no surround-view option.

A color head-up display is available as an option on Premium Plus and standard on Prestige — restricted to upper trims so volume-trim buyers do not get it by default, but at least it exists (unlike the A3 or Alfa Giulia base).

Two outboard LATCH sets on a five-passenger bench with 35.7 in of rear legroom and 37.4 in of rear headroom — tight for a rear-facing infant seat behind a taller driver and impractical for three seats across. Slightly roomier than the A3 and with wider rear doors thanks to the longer B10 wheelbase, but still segment-typical cramped for daily family logistics. LATCH ease-of-use rated MEDIUM in cat3 with anchors set moderately deep in the seat bight.

Expected 5-star NHTSA and IIHS TSP+ credentials (inferred for the new B10 gen from prior-gen results) plus standard Audi pre sense front AEB with pedestrian detection, active lane assist, and adaptive cruise. Held back at family price points because Audi side assist (blind-spot) and rear cross-traffic remain packaged in the ~$1,500 Convenience option on base Premium — a gap on the trim families actually buy — and there is no rear-occupant reminder marketed as standard.

Standard tri-zone automatic climate with rear vents, front seats widely praised for long-haul support (cat4 seat comfort 82), and a 13.0 cu ft trunk that swallows two mid-size roller bags plus a stroller — better than the A3's 10.9 cu ft but still small for four-plus. Rear USB-C ports are only on Premium Plus and up, and 35.7 in of rear legroom limits multi-hour comfort behind adults.

Refined 268-hp 2.0T with 48V mild-hybrid smooth engine restart, hushed cabin (cat4 quietness 80), heated 8-way power front seats and heated wheel available, plus polished adaptive cruise with lane centering. Held back by the 7-speed S tronic DCT's well-known low-speed creep hesitation and stop-and-go jerkiness that reviewers still flag on the B10 platform.

EPA 27 MPG combined (24/32 city/hwy) with mandatory 91-octane premium fuel puts fueleconomy.gov's annual fuel estimate at roughly $2,500/yr — meaningfully above hybrid rivals (Lexus IS 300h, Volvo S60 Recharge) and any EV competitor (BMW i4, Polestar 2). Luxury-priced tires, brakes, and oil compound the per-mile penalty.

Compact luxury sedan footprint at roughly 186 in long and ~73 in wide with a ~38-ft turning circle — larger than the A3 but comfortably below mid-size rivals. Rear-view camera and rear parking sensors are standard on Premium; top-view 360° camera and park-assist plus available on Premium Plus/Prestige. Thick C-pillars produce average natural sightlines (cat3 outward visibility 72).

Compact luxury sedan with no US tow rating, no bed, and a 13.0 cu ft trunk that holds a couple of contractor tool bags at most. Not meaningfully work-capable — modest edge over the A3 only because of the marginally larger trunk and 40/20/40 folding rear seat for long items.

Luxury-oriented cabin with standard leatherette/leather, MMI dual touchscreens, and wireless charging — none of it wear-friendly for daily tool loading. EA888 evo5 2.0T and 7-speed DCT carry the mid-pack projected reliability of Audi's current gas lineup and have no fleet-vehicle presence.

No cargo bed, no factory roof rails, no factory-supported upfit ecosystem, and no onboard 110V outlet. Trunk offers a 12V outlet and a few tie-down hooks — nothing beyond what any commuter sedan provides.

Front seats widely praised for long-haul support with extendable thigh cushions on sport seats and power lumbar (cat4 seat comfort 82), hushed highway cruise (cat4 quietness 80), polished adaptive cruise assist with lane centering, and ~429 mi combined / ~509 mi highway range keeps stops infrequent. Held back by tight rear seat for four-up trips, no hands-free driving anywhere in the range, and Digital Matrix LED reserved for upper trims.

quattro AWD is standard on the US A4 volume trim — a meaningful step up on the A3 (where quattro is optional on 40 TFSI) — useful in snow and light gravel, and Audi's torque-vectoring on demand adds low-traction confidence. Held back by roughly 5.5 in of ground clearance, low front bumper overhang, no US tow rating, and no factory roof-rail or bike-rack hitch marketed for the sedan.

13.0 cu ft trunk with a standard 40/20/40-split folding rear seatback is a modest step up on the A3's 10.9 cu ft and 60/40 fold — the center pass-through takes skis or lumber while keeping both rear seats usable. No frunk, no underfloor storage tray, no factory roof rails, and no factory hitch limit bulky gear versus a wagon or hatch competitor.

Volume 40 TFSI quattro is composed and planted with modest body roll and confident cornering grip, but chassis tuning is biased toward stability and refinement rather than playfulness. A step behind the segment-benchmark BMW 3 Series and slightly cooler-blooded than the Alfa Giulia; S4 sharpens things with adaptive dampers and a torque-vectoring quattro sport differential.

Progressive-ratio electric power steering is accurate and appropriately weighted across drive modes, but on-center feel is muted and there is little tactile feedback about the front tires. A classic Audi trait that trails BMW's segment-best rack in communication.

Firm, linear brake pedal with confident stops from highway speeds; instrumented 70-0 mph tests fall in the mid-160-ft range on the volume 40 TFSI, competitive with segment norms. S4's larger front rotors and stiffer pedal add fade resistance for spirited driving.

EA888 evo4 2.0T with 48V mild-hybrid pulls smoothly from ~1,500 rpm with near-imperceptible engine restarts; drivability is a strong suit. Some low-speed dual-clutch shuffle on the 7-speed S tronic keeps it a hair below the BMW B48/ZF combo, but tip-in calibration and throttle mapping are among the segment's best.

The 2.0T is audible under hard acceleration but well-muted at cruise thanks to extensive sound insulation; character is limited on the four-cylinder, though the S4's V6 adds richer tone. Fewer NVH complaints than most compact luxury rivals at highway speeds.

Audi's published 38.7 ft curb-to-curb turning diameter is on the wide side of the sedan-segment band (34–40 ft) and noticeably worse than the BMW 3 Series (~38.1 ft) or Mercedes C-Class (~37.4 ft). Same figure across 40 TFSI, 45 TFSI, and S4 due to shared platform geometry.

Excellent sport seats with wide power adjustment range, driver-focused dashboard, standard flat-bottom wheel, and class-leading Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster. Retains physical climate controls (an advantage over the newer A3 refresh) with strong forward sightlines, though thick C-pillars limit rear three-quarter visibility.

Volume 40 TFSI is swift, refined, and easy to drive quickly but rarely engages the way a BMW 3 Series or Alfa Giulia does — the A4 rewards competence over character. The 349-hp S4 pulls the model-level rating upward with genuine sport-sedan credentials, but base-trim tuning stays on the mature side.

Standard quattro AWD on volume trims, Virtual Cockpit digital cluster, MMI touch, LED headlights, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and heated front seats are typical at Premium; panoramic roof, Bang & Olufsen audio, and higher-tier driver-assist tech are Premium Plus or optional. Class-competitive with C-Class and 3 Series, but Genesis G70 and Volvo S60 bundle more content at base.

Priced in line with BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class in the mid-$40Ks starting to mid-$50Ks loaded; standard quattro AWD helps, but option-package pricing pushes real transaction prices well above rivals like Genesis G70 for comparable content. Fair value, not a bargain.

Three main trims (Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige) plus S line appearance package and the high-performance S4 variant broaden the range beyond most rivals. Fewer powertrain choices (gas only in the US) than BMW's ICE + PHEV + EV 3-series family.

Compact luxury sedan segment has contracted as buyers migrated to Q5/Q3 crossovers; A4/A5 Sedan trails the BMW 3 Series in US volume and is roughly on par with C-Class. Steady mid-pack seller in a declining segment.

Audi retains strong premium-brand equity in the US — aspirational, design-forward, tech-focused — even if a step behind Mercedes and BMW in luxury cachet. Solid J.D. Power APEAL performance and a loyal customer base.

Audi Financial Services regularly offers attractive lease specials and loyalty/conquest incentives on the A4/A5 Sedan; not desperation pricing, but meaningful monthly-payment deals are common versus the 3 Series which holds MSRP more firmly.

The gasoline compact luxury sedan (marketed as A5 Sedan under Audi's new naming convention, still tracked here as A4) rides on the all-new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture introduced for MY2025 — brand-new generation with updated MMI Panoramic display, LED matrix headlights, and revised interior. Very fresh for 2026.

Reviewers praise cabin refinement, build quality, and standard quattro grip on the new-generation car, but the BMW 3 Series continues to sweep dynamic-focused comparison tests and Genesis G70 wins on value. No recent Car and Driver 10Best or NACTOY nod for the nameplate. Well-reviewed but rarely the pick of the class.