DecodedCarsAudi A4
21 model years from 2005 to 2025, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2005–2025
- Class
- Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 24–31 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 25 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2007 (162)
- Fewest problems
- 2023
- Interest
- 27,360 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2025 A4 in brief
The 2025 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,633 lb (4dr Sedan Quattro).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 36 highway), 1% better than the 2025 compact car average of 28.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,850 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
The Audi A4 has 21 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2025, classed as Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars.
Its most efficient year was 2018 at 31 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 24 to 31 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the air bags (485), engine (254), electrical system (205).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2020 is the year to avoid.
2017 has the most recalls (6); all years together count 25 campaigns and 1,285 owner complaints.
How the 2005 A4 compares
The 2005 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl and 3.1L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 180 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,483 lb (4dr Avant AWD Wagon 1.8t Quattro).
About the Audi A4
The Audi A4 is a line of luxury compact executive cars produced from 1994 to 2025 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80. The automaker's internal numbering treats the A4 as a continuation of the Audi 80 lineage, with the initial A4 designated as the B5-series, followed by the B6, B7, B8, and the B9.
From the Wikipedia article "Audi A4", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2025 A4 pros & cons
Full 2025 details →What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 261 hp, versus about 362 hp for similar 2025 models.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 A4
6 owner complaints · 0 recalls
Year to avoid2020 A4
158 owner complaints · 3 recalls · 1 crash report
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
A4 changes by model year
- 2024
- Best combined MPG up from 28 to 30
- 2021
- New hybrid version
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 28
- 2020
- Lightest version 183 lb heavier
- 2018
- Lightest version 176 lb lighter
- 2017
- Best combined MPG up from 27 to 31
- 2012
- Lightest version 243 lb heavier
- 2010
- Engines dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl and 3.1L 6-cyl
- Lightest version 331 lb lighter
- 2009
- New body dimensions: 4.3 in longer, wheelbase +6.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 3.2L 6-cyl
- 2007
- Engines dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 21 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 29 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 4 | 13 |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 187.4 in | 3,633 lb | Not rated | 3 | 158 |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 30 MPG | 186.2 in | 3,450 lb | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 186.2 in | 3,450 lb | Not rated | 4 | 54 |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 186.2 in | 3,627 lb | Not rated | 6 | 87 |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 27 MPG | 185 in | 3,505 lb | Not rated | 3 | 26 |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 185.8 in | 3,891 lb | Not rated | 4 | 43 |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 185.8 in | 3,891 lb | Not rated | 4 | 70 |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 185 in | 3,505 lb | Not rated | 4 | 90 |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 185 in | 3,505 lb | Not rated | 0 | 41 |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 185 in | 3,263 lb | Not rated | 0 | 37 |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 26 MPG | 185 in | 3,263 lb | Not rated | 0 | 39 |
| 2009 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.2L 6-cyl, 3.1L 6-cyl | 25 MPG | 185 in | 3,594 lb | Not rated | 6 | 101 |
| 2008 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.1L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 180.7 in | 3,671 lb | Not rated | 6 | 158 |
| 2007 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.1L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 180.7 in | 3,671 lb | Not rated | 5 | 162 |
| 2006 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.1L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 180.7 in | 3,671 lb | Not rated | 4 | 105 |
| 2005 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 1.8L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl | 24 MPG | 180.3 in | 3,483 lb | Not rated | 3 | 63 |
Alternatives to the 2025 A4
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model 3 | 363 mi | Not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Audi A6 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 410 mi | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →