AUDI A4
The Audi A4 has been so good for so long that it's easy to take this entry-level luxury sedan's excellence for granted.
Its styling is familiar but still attractive, while its cabin is what you can expect from Audi in terms of stylish design and quality.
The features are extremely generous, while certain competitors are more impressive to drive, the A4 still finds a nice middle ground between the sport and comfort.
The 2014 Audi A4 is even better. Firstly, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine has increased to HP to 220. A luxury car with only 4 cylinders is routine now as the fuel economy benefits of a four-cylinder generally outweigh this stigma.
The A4 cannot be labelled as being slow, but if you want a performance model the superb 2014 Audi S4 is available and at a heftier car payment.
While the 2014 A4's performance has improved, the high-quality interior is still the car's main draw. While perhaps not as visually interesting as some of its competitors, the A4's typically German cabin nevertheless has a rich tone with a decent-sized backseat and boot with the cabin interior suitably practical as well.
It does compete against some impressive small luxury sedans- the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class to name a few that offer similar refinement and driving experiences.
The Lexus IS and Volvo S60 are also good alternatives, but the new Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class could be a more trendy and cost-effective alternative. Many of these competing models may be better-looking and offering more value for money, with only the BMW being a well-rounded alternative.
The 2014 Audi A4's turbo-charged four-cylinder may not be the most thrilling or pleasing engine in the world, but don’t be surprised at its ability to rivet you to your seat when accelerating at speed. The A4 has more than enough torque for quick spurts of acceleration when required whether around town or over-taking when required. If you require the ‘more sport aspect’ the sport-focused S4 will more than suffice.
The A4 provides a balanced and secure feeling when cornering and puts it on equal footing with the BMW 3 Series sedan.
It also retains a high level of comfort (the Quattro all-wheel drive further enhances its capabilities and driver confidence).
More performance-minded drivers may find the optional Sport package to their liking, though be prepared for a slightly harsher ride quality.
