It may just be a mid-life facelift, but we could forgive you for thinking the updated A4 was a fully new car. According to Audi, the refreshed A4 has all-new flanks, and you can tell by the heavily blistered doors and guards.
The updated A4 launched in Europe 12 months ago alongside its A5 sister, but the heavily updated sedan and wagon are only now due to arrive in Australia.
Contrary to what you might expect, Audi has managed to drop the price of nearly every model, while simultaneously adding value and, we reckon, creating a real looker in the process.
Of course there’s an Avant available
That thinner C-pillar and lengthened rear bumper is reminiscent of the car’s bigger A6 brother. The new design both adds length and drops visual bulk from the top of the A4 adding up to a sportier and more sophisticated appearance.
It’s a remarkably different looking car, not unlike the updated Lexus IS, though that car really pushed the boundaries of what a facelift could be.
The interior has been tweaked, too, though the hardpoints have remained the same. The new A4 still demonstrates a design that is last-gen Audi, but the MMI system now has ten-times the computing power, and the updated 12.3-inch virtual cockpit matches the rest of Ingolstadt’s range.
The interior gets a bigger touchscreen, loses the rotary dial.
The infotainment is now controlled solely by the 10.1-inch touchscreen; the rotary controller is gone. It’s a shame we’ve lost the choice to twiddle, but we understand Audi streamlining the interaction.
All two-litre turbo petrol-powered variants get a 12V MHEV which is said to save 0.3l/100km, but otherwise, electrification is absent. Audi does offer a PHEV Q5, though not for the Australian market, instead choosing to focus EV dollars on fully electrified e-tron crossovers. It may turn out to be a blind-spot given BMW’s implementation of the 330e.
For 2020 Audi has cherry-picked the best-sellers of the A4 range, that means it still starts with the turbocharged 1.4-litre powered 35TFSI for $55,900 (driveaway price TBC), though only in sedan form. That car is still front-wheel-drive only and produces 110kW of power, though torque is up 20Nm to 270Nm.
The Sedan gets a smaller C Pillar.
And while there’s plenty more standard equipment for 2020 including 19-inch alloy wheels, real leather-upholstery, wireless charging, LED headlights and keyless go, the entry-level A4 has dropped its price by $200.
For an extra $3,000 an S Line exterior package can be optioned on to the entry-grade A4. This nets more aggressive styling, sports seats and illuminated door-sills. This variant effectively replaces the two-litre turbocharged 40TFSI which has been dropped for 2020.
Moving up to the best-selling $68,900 (driveaway pricing TBC) 45TFSI gets a two-litre turbocharged engine with more punch – 183kW and 370Nm to be exact.
We’ll take an Avant, thanks.
Other tasty additions include a premium sound system, S Line exterior trim, memory seats, flat-bottom steering wheel and the choice of a practical Avant body for an extra $2,500.
For 2020 the A4 Allroad carves itself further into a niche. Close examination reveals the front grille has adopted styling cues from the Q family with vertical strakes in place of honeycomb. There’s 46mm more ground clearance than a regular A4, along with a broader track, bumper protection, hill-descent control and off-road-tuned ESC.
A diesel Allroad returns for 2020, too, in the guise of the two-litre turbo diesel 40TDI punching out 140kW and 400Nm from $69,900 (driveaway pricing TBC). Those who prefer petrol can choose the 45TFSI for $3,000 extra.
The option of an Allroad diesel is back on the cards for 2020.
Strangely, no Audi A4 variant comes standard with adaptive cruise control, though all A5s see it equipped at no extra cost. The assistance package adds adaptive cruise and lane-assist for $1,900, and the $2,900 assistance package plus sprinkles 360-degree monitor and park-assist on top.
Adding some extra flair to the cabin of the 45TFSi is the optional S Line interior package with semi-aniline Nappa leather-appointed seats and adjustable ambient lighting for $2,100.
Despite SUVs gaining ever-more momentum, the A4 is still an essential vehicle for Audi and carves its own niches with the off-road capable Allroad. The new A4 is available to order now.
Audi offers a carbon and black pack if you’re into that.
2020 Audi A4 Prices
All prices are before on-road costs.
A4 35TFSI Sedan – $55,900 (down $200)
A4 35TFSI S Line Sedan – $59,900
A4 45TFSI S Line Sedan – $68,900 (down $1,400)
A4 45TFSI S Line Avant – $71,400 (down $1,900)
A4 Allroad 40TDI – $69,900
A4 Allroad 45TFSI – $72,900 (down $2,100)
Assistance package – $1,900
Assistance package plus – $2,900
S line interior package (45TFSI) – $2,100
