2017 Audi A4 Long-Term Test Wrap-up

Even though we had the 2017 Audi A4 for only three months, it started to feel like part of our family, a comfortable fit for our life, but still somehow special in a way we appreciated everyday – despite any little quirks and flaws.
FAST FACTS
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo

Output: 252 hp; 273 lb-ft of torque

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

Acceleration (0-60 mph): 5.7 seconds

Curb Weight: 3,626 lb. (1,645 kg)

Cargo Capacity: 13.0 cu. ft. (368 L)

US Fuel Economy (MPG): 24 city, 31 hwy, 27 combined

CAN Fuel Economy (L/100 km): 9.8 city, 7.6 hwy, 8.6 combined

US Price: Starts at $34,900; $52,950 as tested ($950 freight included)

CAN Price: Starts at $38,500; $59,495 as tested ($2,095 freight included)

Perhaps because it has been so hectic over the past few months that it quickly grew so familiar, putting on over 6,000 miles of commuting, comparing, shuttling the kids around and even a short road trip up to ski country.

Through all that, there have been barely any complaints, but I’ll get them out of the way right up front.

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[skyworks]

Watching this 1 hour before my vacation road trip to Croatia in my Audi A4 avant begins, I enjoy the car every time I drive it, fast, quiet, great tech, joy to ride...

[AmxCsifier]

I find it the best looking in its class

[donuts]

This guy has come a long way in his presentation style since he started. Keep it up!

[bobbyt]

I don't consider over 6, 000 miles as a long term test. I would appreciate a review after 50k miles of use, so consumers can get a better understanding of the vehicle's reliability rating.

[davidwolf]

I test drove this same model about the same week this video was posted and I honestly thought that drive was just excellent. I can also appreciate the learning curve required to adjust to both the virtual cockpit AND the MMI, which if I decide to purchase this vehicel will NOT be a problem. I am looking forward to a longer test drive in another month or two with this same model. I believe any serious test drive should take at LEAST 30 minutes or more to guage the nuances of any vehicle one may be interested in. Thanks for the honest and excellent review.

[DripExplains]

The A4 is not a small sedan, the A3 is.

[gregorytrane]

Where is the extended road test ? I didn't like this review. Some of the review kept repeating the same cabin ergonomics and other points of the vehicle as well. How did it compare to the previous model ? It seemed like a watered down version of Consumer Reports.

[WorldTravelerCA]

Brilliant words towards the end and that’s why I’m sticking with my 2017 A4 for a while, I love it and had never knew I would say that about an Audi. I’m BMW and Mercedes driver for a past 27 years

[clairekennedy]

I liked this video until he said he misses a crossover... bye. This is a sports sedan video buddy.

[clint]

This is my dream car. One day I'll sell the accord.

[duckbizniz]

I have only owned and driven less-expensive American and Japanese cars in my life. These cars are price around $25, 000. After test driving Audi Q5 Quattro and Audi A4 front-wheel drive at Audi Concord in Northern California, I have to say I was impressed by Audi's Q5 and A4. Audi Q5 Quattro was amazing in turns (on ramp to freeway). At high speed in turns I felt minimum forces in the other direction (i.e., if you are turning right then you feel strong forces pulling you left). Also the 2L 4-cylinder turbo charge had plenty of power on acceleration. The Audi Q5 Quattro is a SUV so I would say it is high (high center of mass) off of the ground. The minimum pull force in turns was amazing as I have owned and driven a similar sized Japanese SUV and the pull force away from the turn was significantly higher and forced me to slow down. The Audi Q5 was traveling much faster than what I was use to and I was shocked by the lack pull in the opposite direction. The braking on the Audi Q5 is also amazing compared to my old Japanese SUV. I did not know you can engineer away the laws of physics. Or can you? Of course, the Japanese SUV is half the price of the Audi. I also test-drove the Audi A4. It too was a 2L 4-cylinder with excellent acceleration for my purpose. The Audi A4 is front-wheel drive and not Quattro, and I can sense the acceleration was less than the Audi Q5 Quattro, though there was plenty of acceleration with the A4. The A4 also did well in turns relative to pull forces, the A4 was stable and always in control with excellent braking from high speeds. I am impressed by the handling of Q5 and A4. Both vehicles had a comfortable ride but still delivered decent handling & road feel plus the interior was quiet. As for handling & road feel and a quiet interior, it is difficult to have quiet, comfort, and smooth ride and still have excellent handling, road feel, and safe sound detection. There has to be a compromise. The A4 I test-drove was listed at $41, 000 and if I wanted the Quattro A4 it would cost $50, 000. That is nearly double the price of vehicles I have owned in the past.

[danielallocca]

Why do people keep calling the 3 series the performance benchmark in the segment? It has literally been getting 3rd or 4th place to Lexus, Cadillac and Alfa for the last year. I like BMW but I think the segment leader moniker is past due

[HS]

Good review, the exterior design is conservative but it grow on you, the interior is very minimalist and very smart, the volume knob location, the interior lighting, all white colour, not flashy red or blue. The engine and transmission are fantastic, very good amount of torque at low Rpm, very solid car, very quite. It is built smart, not too many switches or Knobs, most switches and Knobs are multi function( very smart), the radio pre-set switches, just under your finger tips when you have your hand on the shiftier. Also another thing to like is the price, it is well below the other two competition. The only things that it misses, sunglass holder. I have a 2019 one and so far it has been joy to ride it.

[sfmman]

Having driven the 2017 A4, the low speed acceleration lag is so bad that I wouldn't consider buying one until Audi fixes it. Everything else about the car is above average. However, they need to get the basics right.

[wg]

How is 3 months a long term test? That's still within the new car honeymoon period. Please review again after 3 years, and then 5 years.

[australiantruckspotting]

The low speed clunkiness and hesitation can be mostly overcome by putting it into sport mode. Once you’re up and running, flick it back into D.

[laurenceeng]

Why do you refer to miles and miles per gallon when you are a Canadian show? Why not give metric first and imperial units after!

[nikclev]

Are you sure it has dual injection? At 2:22 you mention the fuel injection system that has direct and port injection. I'm nearly positive that Audi didn't include the port injection on US cars. My '17 doesn't have it, and the dealer (talking about maintenance needed much later on) mentioned that this is the cause that some 2.0T's need the intake cleaned sometime well north of 50k miles... no fuel in the intake, so whatever oil (from the turbo) and other stuff gets burned into the intake and onto the exhaust valves.


Other than that, I agree with most of what you have to say. The lag at maneuvering and stops/starts is the only drawback I find, I don't have any problems with the dual screen. The lag is the fault of the DCT, and most any car with a DCT has it also.

[firefox]

What I don't understand is why you guys insist on only providing info in Imperial numbers but not metric. It's a better system 'and' some you are based in Canada. Why the hell aren't you using metric as well?

[thumperjdm]

@4:00 So, a negative to you is that a crossover gives a higher roof?  Why are you comparing a compact sports-sedan to a crossover SUV?!
@5:40 "Beyond the struggles of a two-screen entertainment system..." That's not a "struggle." That's a "plus, " the OPTION to put info where you want it.