2021 Audi A4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan Quattro, Allroad Quattro
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 261 hp
- Transmission
- 7-speed automatic, automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 25 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 187.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,633–3,854 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 30 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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 28 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway), 2% better than the 2021 compact car average of 27.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,950 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2021
- New hybrid version
- Best combined MPG down from 30 to 28
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 A4 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany · Neckarsulm, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 A4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan Quattro | 187.4 in | 72.8 in | 56.3 in | 111 in | 61.8 / 61 in | 3,633 lb | 56/44 |
| Allroad Quattro | 187.4 in | 72.8 in | 59.1 in | 111 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 3,854 lb |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 quattro Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 / 34 / 28 | +2% | $2,950 | 311 |
| A4 S line quattro Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | -2% | $3,050 | 331 |
| A4 allroad quattro Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 30 / 26 | -16% | $3,150 | 335 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi A4 allroad SW AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Not rated | – |
Similar 2021 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi A4 (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2021 BMW 3 Series | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 BMW 5 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Lexus IS | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 353 mi | ★★★★★ | 22 |
| 2021 Audi A6 | 26 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 405 mi | Not rated | 23 |
Recalls (4)
Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Oct 5, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Tires · Jan 26, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
- Risk
- Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
- Risk
- A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Not every 2021 Audi A4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Audi A4 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 2 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 4,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Audi A4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A4 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 A4 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 A4 | 30 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 A4 | 28 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 11 |
| 2022 A4 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2020 A4 | 30 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 158 |
| 2019 A4 | 30 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
| 2018 A4 | 31 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 54 |
| 2017 A4 | 31 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 87 |
| 2016 A4 | 27 | 185 in | Not rated | 3 | 26 |
| 2015 A4 | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 43 |
| 2014 A4 | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 4 | 70 |
| 2013 A4 | 26 | 185 in | Not rated | 4 | 90 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →