2007 Audi A4 Road Test - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our road test for the 2007 Audi A4 includes a full evaluation of the 2007 Audi A4 from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2007 Audi A4, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2007 Audi A4 help you decide if a 2007 Audi A4 is right for you.

2007 Audi A4 Road Test

Pros	Cons

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

Automatic-transmission performance (CVT)	Fuel economy (S4, RS4)

Steering/handling

Ride (base suspension)

Interior materials

Available AWD

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	7	6.6

A4 2.0Ts suffer some turbo lag, but are generally smooth and strong. Test manual-transmission sedan did 6.8 sec 0-60 mph; test automatic Avant Quattro did 7.6. Test Cabrio with 3.2 V6 strong from any speed, but suffers annoying non-linear power delivery. Front-drive A4s with CVT are lazy on takeoff. S4s are rapid; test manual-transmission Cabrio timed 5.6 sec 0-60. Audi claims just 4.6 sec for RS 4; that might be a little optimistic, but it's plenty fast.

Fuel Economy

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	5	5	4	5.4

With 2.0T, test A4s averaged 20.3-22.5 with manual transmission, 19.2 with automatic and more city use. With 3.2, test Cabrio averaged 16.0 mpg in mostly city driving. With manual transmission, S4 sedans averaged 16.1-18.4 mpg, S4 wagons 15.0-15.8 mpg, S4 Cabrio 14.1 mpg. Test RS 4 averaged 16.0 mpg. Audi recommends premium-grade fuel for all models.

Ride Quality

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
7	7	6	5	5.9

Base suspension with 16- or 17-inch tires provides firm control, mostly good bump absorption. Little difference with S-line package's sport suspension. S4/RS 4 are stiff but seldom punishing, show impressive high-speed stability.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	9	7.3

True drivers' cars all, especially S4 and RS 4. Quattro gives extra measure of all-weather grip. Steering nicely weighted, direct. Cabriolets suffer impressively little body quiver typical of convertibles.

Quietness

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
6	6	6	5	6.2

Engines purr at cruise, snarl discreetly at full throttle. Cabrios show modest top-up wind noise and minimal top-down buffeting, the latter helped by available wind deflector. Low-profile 18- and 19-inch tires whine on concrete, thump on ruts. A few interior rattles noted in some test Avants.

Controls

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
8	8	8	8	7.2

Clear, well-lit gauges. Dual-zone automatic climate system a bit complex, and its controls are awkwardly low on dashboard. MMI absorbs most audio, some climate functions, so can be distracting, frustrating. Front center armrest blocks use of handbrake lever, cupholders. Cabins impress for classy design, materials, workmanship. Fully automatic convertible top powers up or down in 24 sec.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.9

Firm, comfortable seats. S4 and RS 4 have special sport buckets with heavier side bolsters to snug occupants in fast cornering. All models have ample head, leg room, though center console steals enough knee space to annoy some drivers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
4	4	2	4	3.7

Supportive, nicely contoured seat, but no surplus of head and leg room in sedans, wagons. Entry/exit also tight. Cabriolets even more cramped, with taxing ingress/egress.

Cargo Room

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
3	7	2	3	4.2

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 tiny with top down. Interior storage limited to glovebox, door map pockets, small center console bin.

Value within Class

2.0T sedan, man.	2.0T Avant wagon, auto.	3.2 Cabrio, auto.	S4 sedan, man.	Class Average
10	9	7	8	6.3

Some like-priced competitors have more outright power and rear-seat space, but these Best Buy Audis are solid, sophisticated premium compacts that match anything in their class for performance, dynamic balance, features, and materials quality.

Total Score