2022 Audi A4

　　

2022 Audi A4 Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　, rating written byRyan ZumMallenDirector of Content Strategy

　　Josh Sadlier has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Josh is director of content strategy at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autotrader and Automobile. Under his stewardship, zzdcar' own 1989 Yugo GVL won first place at the Concours d'Lemons, taking home a jar of borscht, a can of beets, a cutting board and a pint of VIP vodka.

　　The current fifth-gen A4 hits the five-year mark with this year's model, typically a time when automakers roll out a significant update, if not a new model altogether. But changes for the 2022 Audi A4 are minor, and that's just fine. The A4 remains one of our favorites among European luxury compacts thanks to its lush cabin quality, standard all-wheel drive, and appealing collection of technology features and advanced driver aids.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Audi A4 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$160/mo  for A4 Premium

　　A4 Premium

　　Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) (Most Popular) - $39,900 MSRPPremium S line 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $42,000 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $44,600 MSRPPremium Plus S line 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $46,200 MSRPPrestige 4dr Sedan AWD w/40 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $50,200 MSRPPrestige S line 4dr Sedan AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $50,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　It faces off against a familiar set of rivals including the BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Among these, the C-Class is the most compelling, particularly because it's been fully redesigned for 2022. The Volvo S60 is another worthy alternative. We expect to see a new Audi A4 soon — possibly as early as next year. Yet as the current generation winds down, the 2022 A4 remains a compelling pick for a small luxury sedan that's comfortable and sophisticated.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the A4 drive? We tested the A4 with the 45 TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the one that makes 261 hp. This is more than the base 40 TFSI motor that makes 60 fewer ponies. Our test car leapt to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, an unusually quick time for a four-cylinder engine in this class. The dual-clutch automatic transmission lacks the positive engagement of, say, the rival BMW 3 Series' whip-smart conventional automatic, but you get used to its sometimes delayed responses. Overall, the A4 goes about its business smoothly and quietly.

　　The A4 has a firm brake pedal feel, but the abrupt pedal engagement at low speeds conspires with the dual-clutch transmission to make inching into a parking space a herky-jerky affair. At our test track for the emergency 60-0 mph brake test, the A4 stopped in a decent 111 feet. Our test car had the summer performance tires, however, so expect longer braking for the standard but less grippy all-season tires.

　　Through turns, the A4 feels wholly competent but not particularly engaging. The steering, in particular, is a letdown because it doesn't give you a good feel of the road or how much grip the car has. If you're looking for passion, you won't find it here, but composure and capability? Absolutely.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the A4? The A4's front seats are on the firm side, but they remain plenty comfortable on long road trips. The A4 is quiet on the highway, although we noted more wind and tire noise than expected for the class, perhaps because the A4 hasn't been redesigned since 2017 while rivals have progressed. The suspension has a typical Germanic firmness to it, and it controls body motions well on broken pavement without the ride ever feeling harsh.

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