2009 Audi A4 20t Premium (Tiptronic) Sedan Reviews

Review

The Good

Audi improves its A4 Avant railroad vehicle for 2009 in but virtually every way by giving it a fresh appearance, stretching its overall length, dropping a new turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant into its engine bay, and adding a number of new features and options that make the A4 Avant ane of the best-equipped cars in its class.

The Bad

Despite the A4 Avant's longer platform, cargo space shrinks for 2009, and adding upscale options can make the Avant an expensive vehicle.

The CarGurus View

Drivers who seek a more than fuel-efficient alternative to an SUV but don't want to give up cargo space will find a skilful pick in the 2009 Audi A4 Avant. Its new turbocharged four-cylinder engine and Tiptronic vi-speed automatic manual combine to provide an aggressive driving experience, while an upscale interior rivals the best of the luxury sedans. Add more than than 50 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Avant becomes the right motorcar at the right time for busy families.

At a Glance

Audi introduces an all-new A4 Avant carriage for 2009, with a longer wheelbase than the vehicle it replaces likewise as a revamped suspension and a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Borrowing styling cues and components from the A4 sedan, which remains i of Audi'south most pop vehicles in the U.Southward., the '09 A4 Avant projects a sophisticated withal sporty appearance, cheers to its lowered opinion and longer profile. The new Avant's wheelbase stretches 6.6 inches longer than the previous year'south version (it's 4.7 inches longer overall), and Audi widened the Avant by 2 inches also.

The new Avant features a more rigid yet lighter body than the previous year's version. In improver, Audi moved the front end wheels forward in the platform, which improves the Avant's proportions and gives it a more balanced await. The distinctive deep-mouthed grille remains, and Audi has added LED running lights below the bi-xenon headlights. With its longer hood, shorter overhangs, tucked-down roof runway, and sweptback windshield, the A4 Avant defines the classy, elegant wagon of the early 21st century.

The '09 redesign results in reduced cargo capacity compared to the previous year'southward Avant, but that's nearly the simply drawback for the new Avant. Audi has improved the cabin, adding more upscale materials, and added of number of new options, including a panoramic two-panel moonroof, a new parking arrangement, Audi lane help with a lane-departure warning system, adaptive prowl control, and a powerful Bang & Olufsen sound system, all of which make the '09 A4 Avant a carriage worthy of Audi's symbolic four interlocking rings.

Drivetrain

Audi offers the A4 Avant in a single trim for 2009. The Avant ii.0T quattro receives a new turbocharged 2.0-liter iv-cylinder engine, which produces 211 hp, an increase of 11 hp over the previous twelvemonth's powerplant. The new engine employs FSI direct injection and an Audi valve lift arrangement on the intake valves. This results in ameliorate fuel economy too as improved torque, which maxes out at 258 lb-ft at one,500 to four,200 RPM and provides brisk acceleration, according to reviewers. In fact, some reviewers annotation, the Avant's new iv-cylinder engine generates more torque than the A4 sedan'southward V6 engine (258 versus 243, a departure of fifteen lb-ft).

The new engine links to a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic, which enables drivers to manually shift gears using paddles mounted on the steering wheel. The transmission also works in conjunction with the carriage's quattro all-wheel-drive system. In combination, the Avant'southward engine, transmission, and quattro arrangement provide a spirited ride, on par with the performance of the A4 sedan and more than adequate for all but the most enervating drivers.

The Avant'due south 2.0-liter engine received the International Engine of the Year award for 2008 in the ane.eight-liter to 2.0-liter category. Audi recommends premium unleaded fuel for the Avant'due south engine.

Ride & Handling

The '09 A4 Avant provides a more than balanced driving experience than the previous yr's version, thank you to its reconfigured platform and repositioned engine, which now sits behind the front axle, resulting in better overall weight distribution. In add-on, Audi redesigned the Avant'due south speed-dependent Servotronic power steering organisation for a tighter, more responsive feel. Reviewers annotation that the A4 Avant handles ably on even the twistiest roads, exhibiting tight route grip and minimal trunk roll and sway.

Audi has designed the rear suspension especially for the Avant carriage, with a rubber-mounted rear subframe, which helps the wagon amend blot road imperfections. In addition, an anti-roll bar keeps the Avant firmly planted to the road.

The Avant comes in a choice of three option packages - the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. For the Premium and Premium Plus packages, the Avant rides on 17-inch wheels. Prestige package upgrades include eighteen-inch five-spoke wheels. However, while the 18-inch wheels can assistance smooth out the ride, they're noisier than the standard 17-inch wheels, some annotation.

Reviewers highly recommend the optional Bulldoze Select Package, which allows drivers to command the Avant's intermission, steering, transmission, and engine response by choosing from one of four operating modes, including Comfort, Dynamic, Automated, and Individual. The Comfort mode provides smoother shifting and a softer ride, while the Dynamic mode offers drivers a tighter, sportier feel that communicates more of the road experience. (Some drivers and reviewers exercise not recommend this setting over rough surfaces.) The Auto setting finds a common place betwixt the ii other modes.

Audi's dedication to the quality of interior materials makes the Avant's cabin extremely comfortable for long trips. The wagon's longer profile results in more interior space, and the seats themselves accept been redesigned for greater comfort, although some wish for a bit more rear-seat comfort.

Cabin & Comfort

The A4 Avant continues to set the standard for vehicles in its form, thanks to premium interior materials and small details that really count. The dash, for instance, angles slightly toward the commuter to make components easier to access and operate. Leather seating surfaces, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, automatic climate command, and a iv-spoke leather steering bike with multifunction controls come standard on the Avant. The Premium Plus and Prestige packages add heated seats and three-zone climate command. Options include interior woods trim and a DVD-based navigation system with voice control and a rear fill-in photographic camera.

On all Avants, a Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a vi.5-inch color monitor sits at the top of the center stack between the driver and rider and displays information about the audio and air-workout systems. Depending on the options package, sound systems range from a 180-watt Audi Concert organisation to an Audi Symphony system with a six-disc CD changer and xiv-speaker, 505-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Audi besides adds Bluetooth wireless jail cell phone connectivity as a standard feature on Avants with the Premium Plus and Prestige packages. Bluetooth is optional with the Premium packet.

As noted, cargo space in the Avant drops from 59 cubic feet, bachelor the previous twelvemonth, to 50.5 cubic anxiety for 2009, due in office to the narrowed rear end and sloping roofline. Nevertheless, the reversible cargo floor features a carpeted surface on one side and rubberized surface on the other, and small cubbies to either side and an like shooting fish in a barrel-to-utilise cargo anchoring system help increase the functionality of the trunk space.

Safety

The A4 Avant comes equipped with a total range of airbags, including Sideguard head-protection airbags, rear side airbags, and front airbags. Other standard safety features include Audi's Backguard system, which adjusts seats and headrests to protect occupants in the event the car is struck from the rear.

Avants with the Prestige option package include an Audi parking organisation, which alerts drivers using audible tones that signal the distance to an obstruction when parking, and Audi side help, which monitors the commuter's bullheaded spots and notifies the driver via an LED light when a car enters that spot. Adaptive cruise command, which monitors the distance to the vehicle ahead and automatically reduces or increases speed to maintain a safe driver-selected distance, becomes a new option on Avants with the Prestige parcel.

What Owners Recall

From its exterior styling to its treatment to its operation, the 2009 Audi A4 Avant receives stellar marks from most drivers and reviewers. In detail, the Avant'due south improved handling and residue, thanks to the reconfigured platform, impress owners, as does the Avant's mixture of sportiness and functionality.

In addition, the performance of the Avant's four-cylinder engine draws good reviews from many owners and reviewers, some of whom feel information technology performs so well that there'southward little demand for a V6 engine. Granted, some note, the Avant can become pricey, especially when optional features like Drive Select and the upgraded sound organization are added. Merely in an era when owners are turning away from SUVs in favor of more realistic and fuel-efficient options, the 2009 Audi A4 Avant seems well-designed to meet those needs.

Updated Dec 3, 2008

Rob has been a contributor to CarGurus since 2007, and an automotive test-driver and author since the early '90s. He's test-driven everything from BMWs and Jags to Bentleys and Saabs, with an occasional Range Rover, Ferrari, Porsche or Lamborghini thrown in. He also created the annual Automobile of the Twelvemonth and Exotic Car of the Year awards for Robb Report magazine. He currently resides in California.

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Source: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2009-Audi-A4-Avant-Overview-c21372

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