2010 Audi A4

At first glance, it may appear as though the 2010 Audi A4 lineup has been eviscerated. The convertible is gone, and so is the V6 -- what's next, cloth upholstery and crank windows? In actuality, though, there are perfectly good explanations for both developments. The good folks at Audi haven't lost their minds, and the 2010 A4 remains an eminently desirable sport sedan/wagon with arguably the nicest interior in this segment.

Now for the explanations. Let's start with the convertible. Last year's A4 drop top was an outdated design based on the previous-generation A4, so its torch has been passed to the foxy new A5 Cabriolet. As for the pricey V6, it couldn't even outperform the base turbocharged four, so Audi will henceforth send its new supercharged S4 (reviewed separately) into battle against upper-crust contenders like the BMW 335i, while the four-cylinder A4 2.0T will continue to lock horns with entry-level sport/luxury cars like the BMW 328i and Mercedes-Benz C300. See? It all makes sense. All is well in Ingolstadt.

One thing that hasn't changed about the A4 is its precise and balanced handling, which combines with its slick styling and upscale cabin to provide an undeniably premium driving experience. Indeed, the only pressing question about the 2010 A4 is whether that four-cylinder engine is up to the task given that most of its rivals offer smooth six-cylinder power. To be fair, the A4's turbocharged 2.0-liter four puts up competitive acceleration numbers despite its cylinder deficit. Yet the only luxury cars of this sort with four-cylinder power are ones on the fringe like the front-wheel-drive Acura TSX.

Otherwise, the 2010 Audi A4 is clearly one of the front-runners in this segment. We'd still recommend that A4 shoppers take a close look at the competition, including the aforementioned 328i (the only direct rival available as a wagon) and C300 as well as the Infiniti G37. Budget-minded shoppers might want to look at Volkswagen's Passat, which is available as a sedan or wagon and offers a detuned but still sprightly version of the A4's turbocharged four. So does the sleek Volkswagen CC, which also features a V6. But if you're after a premium sport sedan or wagon with an appealing mix of style and substance, you can't go wrong with the 2010 Audi A4.

Audi A4

Audi A4 cars

The 2010 Audi A4 comes with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Audi A5. As such, the A4 also offers 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway (22/30 mpg with Quattro). Switch the manual transmission for an automatic, and the EPA rating dips to 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. With the exception of the Lexus HS hybrid, the A4 offers the best fuel mileage in the mid-size luxury vehicle class. Both a sedan and Avant wagon body style are available.

Audi A4 TDI

Two out of three models that Audi will be unveiling next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show are likely to come to North America. The A4 TDI clean diesel will make its debut with the latest edition of the firm’s 3.0-liter diesel V6. While the TDI V6 has been available in the current generation A4 since it launched early last year, the new one adds the same 2,000 BAR common rail fuel system and urea injection found on the Q7 and VW Touareg now available in the U.S. market. US fans would probably like the V6 TDI A4 for its torque. It appears that it’s likely to arrive in US shores since the gas V6 was discontinued for 2010.

Audi A4 prices

Retail Price for the A4 sedan will start at $32,700, while MSRP for the A4 Avant will start at $34,500. The 2009 Audi A4 Avant price starts at $34,500 and the sedan version price starts at $32,700.

Audi A4 Avant

Audi took the wraps off its redesigned A4 Avant station wagon for the 2009 model year. Based directly on the new A4 Sedan, the Avant model is larger and more advanced than its predecessor. Compared to the old model, the proportions have been adjusted noticeably. The front overhang has been shortened, and the hood and the wheelbase have gained considerably in length. The newly developed five-link front axle has been shifted farther forward. This ensures that the axle loads are better distributed, thereby improving handling.

Audi A4 Quattro

Even in the UK, the formula has its fans, which is why last year's championship winner, Audi, is launching a special edition to celebrate its success - and Auto Express has driven it first. Unfortunately, there is no race-bred V8 under the bonnet of the A4 DTM Edition - this car is based on the 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI quattro. Still, careful tuning has pushed power from 197bhp to 217bhp, enough to shave a third-of-a-second off the 0-60mph time, dropping it to 6.9 seconds. Top speed is now 152mph, while hauling the DTM to a stop are new ventilated and cross-drilled front disc brakes.

Audi A4 Allroad

It’s an estate that thinks it’s an SUV! The A4 allroad follows in the footsteps of the larger A6 allroad by equipping a plush family car with the ability to tackle the rough stuff. But do the dubious modifications bring anything new to the table and more importantly, can they justify the significant price hike? The formula is fairly simple. Take an SE-spec A4 quattro Avant and raise the ride height by 37millimetres, giving it just 20 millimetres less ground clearance than the more rugged Q5. Then add an off-road ESP system and finish it off with more utilitarian plastic wheel arches and rugged bunpers.

Audi A4 Cabrio

The A4 Cabriolet is starting to feel its age on the road. Despite offering decent handling, the Audi's chassis can't offer the levels of rigidity found in BMW's excellent 3-Series Convertible. Over rough surfaces, you can feel shake through the body, and as a result the suspension patters over imperfections - so the A4 isn't as composed or as taut as it should be. The steering lacks sharpness, body roll is noticeable and it feels nose heavy as well. But the car's responses are never anything other than safe and predictable. There's a large engine range, including a 4.2-litre V8, but most buyers choose smaller turbocharged units, such as the 2.0-litre from the Golf GTI, and VW Group's ubiquitous 2.0-litre TDI. All are effective, though we'd recommend you give the CVT automatic a miss. Luckily, there are two other options - a manual and Audi's popular DSG semi-auto.