2005.5 Audi A4: Road Test
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Our road test for the 2005.5 Audi A4 includes a full evaluation of the 2005.5 Audi A4 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005.5 Audi A4, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005.5 Audi A4 help you decide if a 2005.5 Audi A4 is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
Test manual-transmission 2.0 T Avant satisfyingly strong and smooth, though some testers employed frequent shifting for best performance. Test car did 6.8 sec 0-60 mph. Have not yet tested A4 3.2. V6 CVT Cabriolet has enough power for most situations, but feels lazy from a stop; test car did 7.6 sec 0-60 mph. S4s are muscle cars; test manual-transmission S4 Cabriolet did 5.6 sec 0-60.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5.3 |
Test manual-transmission 2.0 T Avants averaged 20.3-22.5 mpg. Test V6 Cabriolets with CVT averaged 19.8-20.7 mpg. S4 Cabriolet with manual transmission averaged 14.1, manual S4 sedans 16.1-18.4 mpg. Audi recommends premium-grade fuel for all A4s.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Base suspension furnishes firm control and, in combination with available 17-inch tires, good bump absorption on most any surface. No opportunity to test with 16-inch tires. S4 quite stiff, but seldom punishing; delivers impressive high-speed stability.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7.3 |
True driver's cars all, especially S4. Quattro gives extra measure of all-weather grip. Steering nicely weighted, direct. Cabriolets suffer impressively little body quiver typical of convertibles.
QUIETNESS
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
Engines purr at cruise, snarl nicely under full throttle. Cabriolets show modest top-up wind noise and minimal top-down buffeting, the latter helped by available wind deflector. S4 low-profile 18-inch tires whine on concrete, thump on ruts.
CONTROLS
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6.9 |
Clear, well-lit gauges. Dual-zone automatic climate system overly complex with awkwardly low-mounted controls. Front center armrest blocks use of handbrake lever. Sophisticated cabin materials and design are class benchmarks. Convertible top completely automatic, powers up or down in 24 sec.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6.3 |
Firm, comfortable seats. S4s have special sport buckets with pronounced side bolsters that hold occupants in place during fast cornering. All have ample head and leg room, though wide central console cuts into knee space enough to annoy taller drivers.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3.6 |
Supportive, nicely contoured seats, but no surplus of head and leg room in sedan and wagon. Entry/exit also tight. Cabriolet even more cramped, with taxing ingress and egress.
CARGO ROOM
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Avant is versatile, with several handy cargo-area bins and nets. When it's down, convertible's top eats into already small trunk space; seatbacks don't fold, but there is a ski pass-through.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Some like-priced rivals offer more rear-seat room and more outright power. But A4s and S4s equal or exceed direct competitors for sophistication, all-around performance, features, and variety of body styles, and earn our Best Buy rating. And the convertibles are class leaders that belong on any open-air premium-car shopping list.
Total Score
| 2.0 T Avant w/17-in. whls., man. | 3.0 Cabriolet, CVT | S4 sedan w/nav. sys., man. | S4 Cabriolet, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 57 | 55 | 50 | 57.4 |
Total Score: 67
Scores for all Premium Compact Cars
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