2006 Audi A4 Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2006 Audi A4 includes a full evaluation of the 2006 Audi A4 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2006 Audi A4, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2006 Audi A4 help you decide if a 2006 Audi A4 is right for you.

2006 Audi A4 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (V6, S4)	Rear-seat room (Cabriolet)

Automatic-transmission performance (CVT)	Fuel economy (S4)

Steering/handling

Ride (base suspension)

Interior materials

Available AWD

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	8	6.2

A4 2.0 Ts are smooth and strong. Manual-transmission test sedan did 6.8 sec 0-60 mph; frequent shifting helps. Test automatic 2.0 T Avant did 7.6 sec 0-60. No opportunity to test 3.2 V6 version, but Audi pegs it at under 7.0 sec. V6 CVT Cabrio peppy enough for most situations--test car did 7.6 sec--but feels lazy on takeoff. S4s are muscle machines; test manual-transmission Cabrio took just 5.6 sec 0-60.

Fuel Economy

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	5	5	4	5.4

Test manual-transmission 2.0 Ts averaged 20.3-22.5 mpg. Test automatic 2.0 T Avant averaged 19.2 mpg including gas-eating performance runs. Test V6 automatic-transmission Cabrios averaged 19.8-20.7 mpg. With manual transmission, S4 sedans averaged 16.1-18.4 mpg, S4 wagons 15.0-15.8 mpg, S4 Cabrios 14.1 mpg. Audi recommends premium-grade fuel for all models.

Ride Quality

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	7	7	3	5.9

Base suspension furnishes firm control and, with 17-inch tires, mostly good bump absorption. No opportunity to test with 16-inch tires or S line package. S4s quite stiff, but seldom punishing; show impressive high-speed stability.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	9	7.2

True driver's cars all, especially S4s. 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 sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	5	6.1

Engines purr at cruise, snarl under full throttle. Cabrios show modest top-up wind noise and minimal top-down buffeting, the latter helped by available wind deflector. Low-profile 18-inch tires whine on concrete, thump on ruts. A few interior rattles noted in some test Avants.

Controls

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
8	8	8	8	7

Clear, well-lit gauges. Dual-zone automatic climate system a bit complex, its controls awkwardly low on dashboard. Front center armrest blocks use of handbrake lever, cupholders. Sophisticated cabin materials, design. Convertible top completely automatic, powers up or down in 24.0 sec. MMI absorbs most audio, some climate functions, requires long look from road to adjust.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.5

Firm, comfortable seats. Special sport buckets in S4s have pronounced side bolsters to snug occupants in place during fast cornering. All models have ample head, leg room, though central console cuts into knee space enough to annoy some drivers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
4	4	3	4	3.6

Supportive, nicely contoured seats, but no surplus of head and leg room in sedan, wagon. Entry/exit also tight. Cabriolet even more cramped, with taxing ingress and egress.

Cargo Room

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
3	6	2	3	4.7

Sedans have usefully roomy trunk, standard fold-down rear seatbacks. Wagons more versatile, but not big-load luggers. Convertible's trunk shrinks from small to marginal with top down. Interior storage limited to glovebox, small center console bin.

Value within Class

2.0 T sedan w/17-in. whls., man.	2.0 T Avant, auto.	3.0 Cabriolet, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
9	9	7	6	6.1

Some like-priced competitors have more outright power and rear-seat space. However, these Audis are sophisticated designs that match anything in this class for balanced performance, features, and materials quality. That's why they're Best Buys.

Total Score