Long-Term Test: 2002 Audi A4

Why We Bought It
How It Drove
What It Was Like Inside
Summing Up
Changes to the A4 Since 2002
Ups and Downs
Best Logbook Quotes
Recalls and Problem History
Dealer Service Reviews
What Consumers Say

Why We Bought It
The entry-level luxury A4 is the most important car Audi builds — at least in the U.S. market. Recall that the original A4 went on sale here for 1996 as the company was struggling to eke out a profitable existence as a purveyor of premium cars. Handsome and well-equipped, this sedan (and, starting in 1999, wagon) was quickly acknowledged as the best Audi product. It was a delight to drive whether you were on the highway or twisty back roads, and a pleasure to spend time in thanks to its opulent cabin furnishings. And with its optional quattro all-wheel-drive system, it was a car that could be owned and enjoyed in all climates. Appropriately, this is the car Audi credits most for its sales resurgence — the A4 was and is the company's top-seller.

As much as we liked the 1996-2001 generation, "the redesigned A4 proves that there's always room for improvement," said one of our editors after driving several versions of the 2002 sedan in late 2001. Just what is it about the new car that is so special? For one thing, its ride and handling characteristics are even better than before — dramatically better, some would say. The second-generation A4 is 45 percent more structurally rigid and this, along with a 40-percent reduction in unsprung suspension weight through the use of aluminum components and an independent rear suspension on all models, affords it greater stability and smoothness no matter what kind of driving you're doing. Inside, many of the old car's ergonomic shortcomings have been resolved — the instrumentation and stereo head unit have been redone and you can actually get an in-dash CD changer (somewhat of a rarity in German cars). The backseat, while still not large, can now feasibly transport a couple of adults on short trips.

Impressed by our initial encounters with the Audi, we thought it would be a good fit for our long-term test program. Amidst the popularity of light trucks, entry-level luxury sedans account for one of the fastest growing segments in new vehicle sales. Just about every manufacturer has something to offer in the $25,000 to $40,000 price range that fits this description, so competition is fierce — and if you're shopping in this segment, it can be hard to decide what to test-drive first. The BMW 3 Series has been a steady favorite in this group since 1999 — following a '99 328i's stay in our long-term fleet, our affections have been renewed in successive comparison tests. But if there was any car capable of challenging our affinity for the BMW, we felt it would be the 2002 Audi A4.

More than a year later, we can't say that every editor preferred the A4 to the 3 Series. But a few did. And most others said they would give the Audi equal consideration if they were going to buy an entry-level luxury sedan. Following is a summary of everything we learned over a year of ownership of a Denim Blue A4.

How It Drove
You'll remember that our A4 was a front-wheel-drive sedan equipped with the 3.0-liter V6 engine. This is a somewhat unusual drivetrain configuration (most A4s are sold with the quattro AWD system), but we went with it because we wanted to try out the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Audi offers for front-drive A4s. A CVT-equipped car can be driven with the same ease of a conventional automatic transmission, but the transmission itself has no gears (i.e., four-speed or five-speed) and instead varies the gear ratios infinitely via a belt attached to two pulleys. As a result, a CVT doesn't have fixed shift points — it chooses the shift points that will best meet the driver's demands for acceleration while maintaining a certain level of fuel efficiency. The idea is that a CVT provides a compromise between the control of a manual gearbox and the convenience of an automatic — because it has so many ratios to pick from, it should be able to deliver more direct responses than an autobox.

Although CVTs are becoming more common these days, you usually see them paired with four-cylinder engines of modest output (as in the Honda Civic HX, Civic Hybrid and Insight; Mini Cooper; Saturn Vue; Toyota Prius) and the emphasis is usually on fuel economy. But as the A4 3.0 is rated for 220 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, Audi's CVT is taxed with roughly twice as much power and the emphasis is not only on economy, but on performance — and performance in quantities sufficient to justify a mid-$30Ks price tag. (The 240-horse, CVT-equipped Nissan Murano is the only other vehicle to attempt such a feat thus far.)

Out on the road, we found our '02 A4's CVT in need of some fine-tuning. Low-speed maneuvers in traffic were often accompanied by delayed and unpredictable throttle response. "Sometimes I'd depress the throttle and a noticeable lag would occur after an initial momentary spurt of power," said one editor. "Other times, I'd depress the throttle and the transmission would 'catch,' sending loads of torque to the front wheels, causing them to chirp embarrassingly."

Consumer Advice Editor Philip Reed weighed in on this subject as well: "When you are at a dead stop and you plant your foot on the throttle, you find yourself hanging onto the steering wheel, never sure when the engine will engage. Then, suddenly, you shoot forward. You never quite know what to expect — and when you're driving in traffic, this is not a good thing."

No one considered this behavior to be a safety concern, but for some, it was an annoyance amidst L.A.'s stop-and-go traffic. Most editors reported that they adjusted to it after awhile, and as Associate Editor Warren Clarke noted, "One does learn how to gauge throttle pressure so as to minimize roughness." Better yet, our experience with an '03 A4 Cabriolet equipped with the same drivetrain suggested that the CVT benefited from some refinements for the 2003 model year (although Audi has not publicly acknowledged this to be the case) — the Cab's low-end responses were much more predictable.

Highway travel brought out the best in our long-termer's CVT. "Because of the CVT," wrote Brent Romans, one of our senior road test editors, "the engine is only turning about 2,000 rpm at 70 mph."

"Stoplight starts and canyon carving aren't the bread-and-butter of this tranny, but rather smooth around-town driving and highway cruising," Photography Editor Scott Jacobs agreed.

Another plus for some drivers was the Tiptronic automanual mode, which allows the driver to manually "upshift" and "downshift" either by bumping the shift lever up and down or by using steering wheel-mounted buttons. Although it functions just like the automanual modes of traditional automatic transmissions, you're not shifting between fixed gears per se but between preselected gear ratios. "This is one of the few cars where using the automanual function… makes a difference," Road Test Editor John DiPietro said. "Put it into manual mode and the car's character is transformed. It jumps off the line and moves out energetically as you bump through the six 'speeds' that the CVT's Tiptronic feature uses."

If you read our 2002-2003 Entry-Level Luxury Sport Sedan Comparison Test — a five-car comparison in which an A4 tied for second overall (behind a 330i) — you know how much we like the Audi's superb balance between comfortable ride quality for everyday driving and tight handling for back-roads thrills. One aspect that several editors picked up on when driving our long-term A4 was the car's exceptional stability during high-speed travel. If ever there was a car suited for the quick weekend getaway, this is it.

"It tracks straight as an arrow on the highway without necessitating the usual minor corrections in aim," Senior Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig wrote in his notes. "Over the course of a long trip, it really makes a difference."

Our long-termer was optioned with the Sport Package, which means that it had firmer suspension tuning (than the standard A4) and wore five-spoke 17-inch wheels fitted with high-performance summer tires. For those who like to drive — and in particular, like to drive on winding two-lane roads — this is definitely the way to go. Thusly equipped, our A4 exhibited excellent balance and grip around turns, at least in the opinion of most editors. This, combined with its progressively weighted steering and strong brakes, makes the A4 an easy car to drive fast.

One editor did find the Audi's handling wanting, however. "A4s are generally considered excellent handling cars," Brent noted. "But this one drives as if it doesn't have a sport package on it. Outright grip, even with the wide tires, never seems anything more than modest. And while the body structure is definitely solid, the suspension's tuning could stand to be firmer."

How should a prospective buyer reconcile these opposing viewpoints? Take an A4 on a test-drive, push it around some turns and decide for yourself. And if handling is really important to you, make sure you also try a 3 Series and an Infiniti G35 equipped with their respective sport packages.

Alternatively, if you're considering an A4 and don't require maximum handling out of your entry-level luxury sedan, you may wish to skip the Sport Package for the sake of ride quality. "Around town [the ride] can be a little harsh," Ed wrote. "It didn't bother me all that much, but for anyone who doesn't need the extra performance, I would recommend sticking with the standard setup."

What It Was Like Inside
Just about everyone was fond of the A4's cabin design and the materials used to construct it. Walnut wood trim came standard in our 3.0 model, and a preferred luxury package added attractive black leather upholstery (note that leather became standard equipment on 3.0 models starting in 2003). "I really appreciated the clean and symmetrical layout of the interior," Scott wrote in his notes. "It has wonderful aluminum accents, luscious wood and high-grade soft-touch plastics. It definitely lets you know you are driving a luxury car."

"Everything is just lovely," another driver agreed, "from the beautiful wood trim to the expensive-feeling plastics to the oodles of lighted controls that allow you to have much access to them at night as during the day. The cabin of the A4 is a great place to while away your time."

Said lighting is all in red, as in other Audis, and editors loved it. "The A4 lit up in a manner that was refreshingly subtle," Warren wrote of his experience. "The folks over at Audi have found the perfect shade of red for their purposes; it's bright enough to be distinctive and easily observed, but muted enough so as to be easy on the eyes. It's a tiny detail, certainly, but that's what true luxury is all about — giving careful thought to the tiniest of details."

By and large, interior materials in our A4 were of the highest quality (the floor mats and window and stereo buttons being among the few exceptions), and we don't hesitate to call it best in class among entry-luxury cars. Our editor in chief, Karl Brauer, spent some time in a 2003 BMW 745i during his month in the A4, and he reported that "in terms of interior luxury and driving dynamics, the price difference (the 7 Series cost twice as much) simply can't be justified."

One thing that did bother a few of us was the significant number of buzzes and rattles that surfaced during the first 10,000 miles of ownership, despite our feeling the cabin was solidly constructed. We can only hope that A4s built later in the production cycle won't be as susceptible to these.

Most editors found our long-termer's front seats supportive and comfortable, and those who took long-distance road trips reported that the Audi's driver seat was up to the task. The telescoping steering wheel and four-way power lumbar were particularly helpful in finding and maintaining a good driving position. The only complaints came from larger-framed drivers, one of whom said his thigh rubbed uncomfortably against the center console, and another who said the seat bottom was just barely wide enough to accommodate her full figure.

Although the control layout in the A4 is generally sound, we did find room for improvement. The most common complaints had to do with the small numbered preset buttons on the stereo head unit, the lack of audio controls on the steering wheel and inconvenient placement of the cruise control stalk on the upper left rather than the lower right side of the steering column.

Like the 3 Series, the A4 is compact in size, and legroom in the backseat is tight. If you will have a steady procession of older children and adults riding in the back of your entry-luxury sedan, the A4 may not be a good choice. Most adults who rode back there complained about a lack of legroom and foot room, and even a nine-year-old boy had difficulty getting in and out. On the plus side, one of our editors who has two young children found that well-placed child-seat tether anchors made it easy to install their safety seats securely. Of course, there isn't a lot of trunk space to be had, either (maximum capacity is 13.4 cubic feet) — our resident golfer reported that he had to load his clubs one end at a time.

Summing Up
For most of our staff, the A4 was an easy car to like. It was luxurious on the inside. It felt smooth and strong during high-speed travel. It handled wonderfully on twisty roads. A number of us would be hesitant to buy an A4 with the CVT (at least not without a thorough test-drive) due to the unpredictable low-end throttle response. And the serious enthusiasts on our staff would be unlikely to choose it over the 3 Series. Beyond that, despite having four doors, the A4 is not suited for regular duty as a family car. If it's just you, or just you and someone special, well, that's a whole different story.

"This is certainly a car I would consider cross-shopping with the 3 Series," Ed wrote. "After four weeks of behind-the-wheel observation, I found it every bit as enjoyable and luxurious as the class-leading BMW. It feels similar in the way it drives and looks as good or better on the inside. For all-out performance I would probably still stick with a 330i, but as an all-around performer, the A4 is a close second. Anyone looking for a solid alternative to the ubiquitous 3 Series will find a competent substitute in the A4."

Owning our A4 was incredibly cost-effective from the standpoint of regular upkeep. Problems in the first 24,000 miles were limited to a broken fuel gauge and a dead power point, both of which were repaired under the basic warranty. Additionally, the two regular oil services we had performed (when indicated by the onboard computer) were covered under the 4-year/50,000-mile full maintenance plan. Total cost to us? Zero dollars.

When it came time to sell the A4, the TMV price for it was $22,700 (evaluated as being in "clean" condition). Keep in mind that it was rather high in miles (23,816) for a one-year-old car. A friend of an Edmunds staff member approached us about buying the car, so we never had to advertise it or put it up for sale on the open market.

We ran into a problem with the sale when we discovered that, since it was financed through Audi, we did not have a clear title. Our buyer would need the title to prove to the DMV that the car was hers. In lieu of the title, a "release of lien" form can be used to begin the registration process.

We sent in a payoff check to Audi for what we owed, expecting this to take care of the problem. However, Audi placed a two-week hold on our check. With a buyer standing by, who was currently renting a car, we needed to try to speed up the transaction. We asked Audi how this could be accomplished. They said that, for them to issue a release of lien on the vehicle, we had to get our bank to issue a letter stating that payment on our check would not be stopped.

Our bank faxed a letter to Audi guaranteeing payment on our payoff check. However, the letter did not contain the specifically required wording that Audi wanted. A new letter was drafted and faxed to Audi. In the meantime, our financial department contacted a new representative at Audi. This person was much more cooperative and the release of lien form was finally faxed to us. With the proper paperwork in hand, our buyer left to register the vehicle in her name.

True Market Value^® at Lease-end: $22,700¹
What It Sold For: $22,700
Depreciation: $11,335 or 33 percent of original price paid²
Final Odometer Reading: 23,816
Best Fuel Economy: 28.0 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 12.5 mpg
Average Fuel Economy: 21.3 mpg
Total Body Repair Costs: None
Total Routine Maintenance Costs (over 1 year): None
Additional Maintenance Costs: None
Warranty Repairs: 2
Non-Warranty Repairs: None
Scheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Unscheduled Dealer Visits: 2
Days Out of Service: 1
Breakdowns Stranding Driver: None

¹This is the private-party sale TMV for a blue 2002 Audi A4 3.0 sedan (with CVT) with 23,816 miles in "clean" condition in the 90404 ZIP code as of May 2003.

²To calculate depreciation, we compared the original price paid ($34,035) to the True Market Value (TMV) and actual sale price to a private individual 13 months later.

Changes to the A4 Since 2002

2003 — The big news was the arrival of the A4 Cabriolet, a fetching drop-top version of the A4 sedan. Initially, Audi offered only one drivetrain choice — front-wheel drive with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and continuously variable transmission. A 1.8T version arrived midway through the model year. The rest of the A4 lineup benefited from equipment upgrades. Leather was made optional on all 1.8T models, as were 12-way power front seats. Audi equipped all 3.0 models with leather upholstery. Previous stand-alone options for the 3.0, including xenons and satellite steering wheel controls, were swept up into the Premium Package. A new cold weather package included seat heaters and a ski sack, and 17-inch all-season tires were made a stand-alone extra.

2004 — The A4 Cabriolet could be equipped with all-wheel drive, and all A4s received a tire-pressure monitoring system, a revised steering wheel and two-stage airbags. The 1.8T models were fitted with standard 16-inch wheels and could be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission.

Ups and Downs

Ups: Exceptional stability during high-speed travel, upscale cabin with high-quality materials, fun to drive hard on back roads, strong acceleration at highway speeds, supportive seats.

Downs: Unpredictable low-speed response from CVT, not much legroom in backseat, some hard-to-use controls, significant number of buzzes and rattles.

The Bottom Line: As rewarding to drive as it is luxurious, the A4 is a top choice among entry-level luxury sedans.

Best Logbook Quotes

"I was shocked, upon looking at the speedo, to see that the needle had climbed into triple-digit territory. Of course, I quickly slowed down, apprehensively thinking about the sort of steep traffic ticket that such lofty extra-legal speeds would garner. But in the moments that preceded this, the A4 remained absolutely unruffled — it was as poised as a politician at a campaign fundraiser." — Warren Clarke

"If I had to do a thousand miles in one day with one of our long-term cars, it would be the A4, no question." — John DiPietro

"When traveling somewhere off the beaten path where nobody drives an Audi, yet there are still BMWs and Lexi and M-Bees flitting about, there is something delightfully nonconformist about piloting this car." — Christian Wardlaw

"Outside, the wind was howling; the trees lining the freeway were swaying like hula dancers. But the A4 felt stable and grounded throughout — a fact for which I was intensely grateful. It doesn't just look sleek and aerodynamic; it actually is." — Warren Clarke

Recalls and Problem History

Recalls: None

Problem History:

1. The fuel gauge failed to read correctly at just 500 miles — in other words, we filled the tank with gas, and the gauge still showed an empty tank. Rusnak Westlake Audi indicated that the problem was caused by faulty wiring; this was corrected under warranty.

2. The power point in the center console became inoperative around 16,000 miles. When we had Steve Taub Audi investigate the problem at our next oil service, we were told that it was caused by a blown fuse, which was subsequently replaced under warranty.

Dealer Service Reviews

Rusnak Westlake Audi in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

April 2002
"Upon running the car to near empty and filling the gas tank, we immediately noticed that the fuel gauge (and light) still indicated an empty tank. Editor in Chief Karl Brauer assumed that a few starts and stops of the engine would 'kick' the gauge into operation, but that less-than-scientific repair strategy failed to help. After several days, we made an appointment with Rusnak Westlake Audi in Thousand Oaks, Calif. We left a message after calling their service number, and got a call back in less than five minutes. They said they could take the car that afternoon, so Karl and his wife, Stacie, drove over and dropped it off late in the afternoon.

"Stacie was treated politely, and the dealership even offered a free replacement vehicle because the visit was prompted by a warranty issue (as opposed to standard service). She declined the replacement car, but was happy to get a call before noon the following day saying the car was ready for pick up. The receipt listed the problem as a poor wiring connection at sender unit with the fix stated as 'remove sender unit, repair two wires.' There was, of course, no charge, and when Karl and Stacie arrived to pick up the A4, it was washed and fully gassed."

Steve Taub Audi in Santa Monica, Calif.

September 2002
"An appointment was made at Steve Taub Audi and Porsche in Santa Monica, and it was dropped off at around noon. Road Test Editor Liz Kim, who was headed for vacation, inquired as to whether they would be able to provide a shuttle service, possibly to the airport. The gruff but efficient service manager told her that would be too far, and the shuttle guy was out to lunch at that time anyway. Never hurts to ask, though, right? Audi is a premium brand, after all. Road Test Editor Ed Hellwig picked up the washed and serviced A4 about five hours later, after receiving a call that it was ready. 'It was right there in the front, paperwork ready,' he noted. Best of all, the expenses were covered under Audi's 4-year/50,000-mile full-maintenance warranty."

April 2003
"The A4 hit the 20,000-mile mark this month, which meant it was time for a regularly scheduled service. Also, the front power point wasn't working, and we needed to have that fixed. We called Steve Taub Audi in Santa Monica to schedule a service appointment. We weren't able to reach someone in the service department directly, and instead were forced to leave a voicemail message, with the assurance that someone would return our call shortly.

"No such luck. The next day we called again, this time getting a live voice on the other end of the phone line. The cheerful service attendant said we could leave our A4 with the service department at 8 a.m. the following day. We dropped it off on time, and later that afternoon received a call saying our car was ready for pickup.

"The power point simply needed a new fuse, which was replaced at no cost. The regular service consisted of an oil and filter change, as well as topping off other engine fluids as needed. Due to Audi's 4-year/50,000-mile no-charge scheduled maintenance program, we were able to drive away in our A4 without spending a dime at the dealership."

What Consumers Say

"I have a fairly loaded 2002 A4 3.0 quattro with 5-speed Tiptronic: sport, luxury, Cold weather, xenons. All-in-all this has been a satisfactory car. Fit and finish was excellent. I have had a few niggling issues: horns had to be replaced at 20,000 mi (horns, whatever?!), power steering fluid mysteriously disappears (once, only). The Tiptronic could be a little smoother on the upshift, especially in low gears. Acceleration is a little weak, even for an automatic. Favorite features: Stock sound system is excellent, Bose not needed. Great cabin. Quattro is unbeatable in bad weather. Suggested improvements: More power, please." — CHenry, May 6, 2003

"I gave my boss and some other coworkers a lift the other day, and my boss was impressed: 'This is a great car. I'm amazed at the interior.' It is a great car. I looked at BMWs, Volvos, Saabs, etc., for style, safety and performance. The A4 has it all. It's a toy and it's a statement. For safety, I don't think it can be beat. On my way home tonight, a Jeep Cherokee ran a red light. It was rainy, the roads were slick, I was at speed and yet the Audi prevailed. I braked and swerved; my A4 steered right around that Jeep like I was dancing with butterflies. I am fast becoming one of Audi's best salespersons. Favorite features: The seats, sunroof, first aid kit, the all-wheel-drive grip, safety features, plus, I like kicking BMW butt. Here in Houston, about 90% of BMWs are sold with automatics, which means that I eat BMWs for lunch quite often. Suggested improvements: Can never get enough horsepower and torque." — The Red Baron, June 4, 2003

"I have had the Audi for one year and I am counting down the months till the lease is over. The CVT tranny jerks the car on acceleration. It's been in the shop for dumb problems. It goes fast, but customer service at dealers is terrible. This is why I got rid of my wife's VW and when this lease is done I will go back to the BMW. If you can't decide between this and a 3 Series, spend the extra few thousand for the BMW, you will be happier. Don't get me wrong it's comfortable, it performs well and gets great gas mileage for a V6, and it looks nice inside and out, it's just coming from a BMW and going to this is a vast change in a backward direction. Favorite features: safety. All the airbags. Interior quality. price. Suggested improvements: pay attention to detail, give better customer service and work on the CVT tranny a little more before dumping it in a car." — jgold95, March 24, 2003

"First of all, the obvious: [The 1.8T model] needs more power, more legroom, a better sound system, and the loaner car program is a joke. Besides that, what a great car: fun to drive, excellent build (tighter finish and better materials than the past three Infinitis we've owned), the CVT is great and very interstate-friendly. Favorite features: 6-disc changer, sport package, huge glovebox, storage bins, dual-zone climate, full-size spare, hooks for net or shopping bags in trunk. Suggested improvements: a cupholder that opens would be nice, and a dealership that cares about anything past the sale." — great car!, June 4, 2003

"All in all, the car has lived up to its ratings by the automotive press. Acceleration from a standstill is not the greatest [with the 1.8T], until the turbocharger kicks in…then it feels a lot stronger and reacts. The sport suspension handles very well, but the aggressive tires are fairly noisy, especially at highway speeds. The center console does restrict leg movement and can be a little uncomfortable for a taller driver. The seating is firm and may be considered stiff by some. Favorite features: My favorite features include the gas mileage 25+ mpg; the instrumentation is pleasant to look at, especially at night; the switchgear has a quality feel and is ergonomically correct; the automobile is very masculine and does attract attention from other drivers. Suggested improvements: The car can use 200 or more horsepower in this day and age of HP wars; seating can be a little softer for driver and passengers; cabin noise should be quelled; paint finish can be glossier." — Rainbowman, June 8, 2003

"I bought this car after looking at a new 325, a used M3 and a Lexus IS 300. I've put 16,000 miles on this car, and the only issues I've had came from the coil-pack problem that seemed to plague some of the 2002s. Both times, the dealer did whatever they could to get the car fixed. Besides that, this car has been a blast to drive! It looks and drives great! The 1.8T could use a little more low-end power, but I love the great gas mileage I get (avg. 29.5 mpg). By far, the best car I've owned. I would like a little more power, but I guess I'll have to save up and place an order for the new S4. Favorite features: Red LED lights that light up the center console at night, xenon headlights, styling, heated seats (front and rear) and quattro! Driving a car that stands out and not everyone else has. Suggested improvements: More power." — a4me, April 5, 2003

"The 2003 A4 3.0 is a very well-made vehicle. As with most German-built cars, this A4 is very responsive, stable and, for the most part, comfortable. Soft with a slight rigid feel over bumpy road, very responsive with a tap on the accelerator, and corners extremely well although 3 Series BMW have the edge in cornering. Along with gorgeous styling, the A4 is a sheer pleasure to drive. Favorite features: Interior design, exterior design, xenon lamps, 6 CD changer, manual transmission, 17-inch wheel design. Suggested improvements: Perhaps a tighter feel to the steering. A sport package should be available with all season tires." — deme55, April 12, 2003

"This car far exceeded my expectations and everything I'd read. I didn't think I'd go for one but when I drove the '02 Passat and then the '02 1.8T, I knew that the Audi was for me. Tighter, smaller, quicker and, yeah, more money. Don't believe what everyone says that the Passat is a better value: drive both to see what suits your driving style, etc. best. Don't get me wrong: my '99 Passat was terrific but this is car is 'Wow!' The quality of craftsmanship in this car is incredible. Favorite features: The brushed aluminum trim. The CVT (like skating on ice: smooth and flawless). The CD changer (ah-hem, auto designers). All the cruise control options ('tap back, acceleration/ deceleration, etc.) Drawers AND glovebox (you can move in). Handling and braking. Suggested improvements: Needs a sunscreen in rear window (one plus for Passat). Red instrumentation/lighting looks cool but if you're colorblind and wearing sunglasses, it's hard to read. Console is a bit intrusive and firm (softer/plusher on the sides). Greater adjustment with center armrest." — triangleguy, July 15, 2002

"My BMW X5 had constant niggling breakdowns. The A4 Wagon: totally reliable. Fantastic acceleration. The car will go as fast as you can stand to drive it, in any weather, although with a little less grace (but more traction) than my ex-328i BMW. Wonderful and highly adjustable seats. Not roomy in back, but great for post-kids. Very well built (no defects, and I haven't seen my dealership since purchase!) Gas mileage, which was mediocre at first, has improved over 7K miles to what Audi says on sticker. Climate control needs to be futzed with to stay comfortable in changing outside conditions. Awesome brakes! Overall experience: fantastic with just very minor quibbles. Favorite features: highly adjustable, well-bolstered seats. Excellent Bose sound system. Interior nicely screwed together. Unpretentious yet luxurious. Simpler than BMW, but more reliable and better built and designed. Suggested improvements: Better outside mirrors with better light sensing, rain-sensing wipers. Handbrake/armrest interaction could be better. Climate control should have a 'dual-mono' switch so you don't have to adjust both sides when riding alone to get comfortable." — bananadan, March 22, 2003

"My first ever convertible, and man, what a ride. Very good detail throughout the entire car — even the top is insulated inside. Tested this next to an A6 Sedan, and this has the fun factor all over the sedan. Very quiet — both through the roof/windows and in the tires/road noise. Excellent handling. The CVT transmission is very smooth, and the [Tiptronic automanual mode] is very fun. Has good weight for a small car which adds to the handling. Favorite features: The door — it is so cool to have the window track up and down slightly as the door is opened and closed. This ensures a tight seal. The styling. This is one sexy car. The ride. My first German car, and I'm glad I chose this over an Infiniti. Suggested improvements: Acceleration/torque. Both in CVT mode and in Tiptronic mode, this one grabs a bit on acceleration, and is a bit sluggish off the line. Radio control. I wish you could switch from FM to AM to CD with the steering wheel controls." — MoeV1, May 20, 2003