jpnwdc

I put off buying a replacement for my 2011 A5 until I had a chance to drive the new A4. Today I visited a DC area dealer and drove the new A4. It was a premium plus with tech and cold weather packages. I liked the new styling and the wheels. For some reason all of the first shipment cars are either white or black. Lots of new technology and the electronic dash was pretty cool. However I found the drive rather boring. Steering effort was too light and while the car is smooth with nice power I wasn't wowed. Believe it or not I find the MB C300 Sport more fun. Hard to believe.

I will be interested to hear other opinions in the coming weeks.

SFV A4

Interesting comments and thanks for sharing. May I ask, out of my own curiosity, what made the C300 feel more fun? Thanks.

DirkM

First Edition models are all white or black (if that's what they had and you saw), they all have the sport package (-20mm), flat bottom steering wheel and special rims too. If the First Edition package is not included then all other colors are available. All new A4 B9 have Drive Select which makes a difference for steering and shifting in all models. I suppose the car you drove was in automatic or comfort mode and not in dynamic.

JD15

Two questions regarding your drive:
1) Did the car you drove have the Sport Package?
2) What Drive Select mode was selected during the test drive?

I also have a 2011 and will consider the B9 A4/S4, but am leaning towards another brand due to the poor reliability of the 2.0T, very poor local dealership service, and VAG's penchant for unethical behavior. I'm leaning towards the GS350 F-Sport, but will wait to see how the B9 progresses.

Wesley Walls

You should consider, if not lean-towards the Cadillac CTS V-Sport:

Comparison: Audi S6 4.0T Quattro vs Cadillac CTS V-Sport vs Lexus GS F - Motor Trend

jpnwdc

No sport package. I tried the different drive select modes. I didn't notice much difference in the steering feel between the various modes.

My 2011 A5 had the oil consumption problem but Audi fixed it under the extended warranty in place. I have been satisfied with Audi service.

Buttercup650

I drove the new A4 on March 19th, and I had a similar reaction. It is an awesome car, but it doesn't drive that much better than a VW GLI or my 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg. I was hoping to be wowed, and I just wasn't. It is more refined than the VW's, the interior of higher quality, and it had more features, but the driving experience wasn't better than VW GLI. I drove the premium plus with Technology Package, Sport Package, and Quattro. I bet if I were to drive it on a track, it would perform better, but for a daily driver, I am not sure I want to pay out the extra dollars to get the A4.