Used 2022 Audi A4

Why buy a 2022 Audi A4 premium compact sedan instead of, say, an Audi Q5 compact crossover SUV? The Q5 took the A4’s crown as Audi’s best-selling vehicle several years ago, but the A4 still has a special place in the automotive landscape.

Freed from the burden of having to appeal to soccer parents, the A4 can engage buyers who really understand and appreciate the joys of driving a well-balanced car with a low center of gravity, while packing an abundance of style, tech, and refinement.

After a major revamp in 2020, this generation of A4 — which launched in 2017 — remains competitive against newer rivals.

Many qualities of the A4 are amplified in the 2022 Audi S4. This isn’t just a go-faster version. It’s a great package of extra equipment as well as more power. The A4 Allroad wagon/SUV/crossover is reviewed separately.

The experience of driving an A4 goes from pleasant to absolutely thrilling. At the pleasant end of the spectrum, the 40 TFSI configuration supplies an effervescent 201 horsepower, fine for most situations. Surely a main point of a luxury car, though, is to have something better than fine.

In which case the 45 TFSI drivetrain’s 261 horsepower may well be sufficient, able to propel the A4 from standstill to 60 mph in an amusing 5.2 seconds. It also has a greater ability to push the A4’s nicely calibrated suspension that tackles corners with composure, yet still delivers a forgiving ride on the straights. The steering also has an ideal amount of weight and feel. However, the most thrills come with the S4.

How fast is the 2022 Audi S4? Zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. That’s fast. The S4’s considerable 349 horsepower is enhanced by an optional limited-slip rear differential, and an adaptive suspension that changes its settings within milliseconds to optimize handling and dynamics.

Honed, distilled, ergonomic. Plush, but not overdone. The 2022 A4 shares an interior design approach with the rest of the Audi portfolio where every curve and surface has been agonized over and then made to look like one harmonious whole.

Although the A4 is a premium compact sedan, occupant space is good for the class. The rear legroom compares well with the competition. And the trunk, at 12 cubic feet, holds three sets of golf clubs.

The zestier S4 comes with stainless-steel pedal covers and sport front seats.

When several rivals all have similar talents and prices, the deciding factor might well come down to styling. In which case, the 2022 A4 has a lot going for it. The revamp in 2020 freshened things up considerably.

Black and white are the only exterior paint choices that don’t cost extra. An optional Black Optic package brings alloy wheels (18s or 19s) and other exterior elements all, predictably, in black. And brake calipers painted, less predictably, in red.

The 2022 Audi S4 has extra aerodynamic additions, a quad exhaust system, and model-specific 18-inch alloy wheels.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
This 12.3-inch digital driver-information display takes the place of traditional dials. As well as showing all the usual parameters — in high-resolution, no less — the configurable Virtual Cockpit also can put navigation instructions in an easier line of sight than peering over to a central screen. It becomes standard in the mid-level Premium Plus trim.

WIRELESS APPLE CARPLAY
Bringing the functionality of an iPhone into a car’s infotainment system is a wonderful thing. Now we can do it without having to plug in a USB cable. This is standard across the 2022 Audi A4/S4 range.

We’ve already described the 2022 Audi A4 as reasonably priced, an argument strengthened by the amount of standard equipment in the entry-level Premium trim. This includes 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, LED headlights, powered sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather seating surfaces, and heated front seats.

The A4’s infotainment system is centered around a 10.1-inch touchscreen and includes wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration (plus wired Android Auto), and two USB ports. Among the driver-assistance features are Audi Pre Sense City (see our Safety section), lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The Premium version of the A4 with the 45 TFSI drivetrain comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and a sport suspension that lowers the car nearly an inch. The S4 in Premium trim has all the sportier hardware — including a sport suspension — plus matrix-design LED headlights, and leather/Alcantara (simulated suede) upholstery.

Premium Plus adds the Virtual Cockpit, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Assist, a top-view/360-degree camera system, and the contents of a Convenience package that’s optional with the Premium. This includes satellite radio, keyless entry/ignition, blind-spot monitoring, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and self-dimming side mirrors. The S4 also has wireless charging and a phone signal booster.

The top Prestige trim comes with matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, navigation, Wi-Fi, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The S4 adds a self-parking feature and is eligible for sport adaptive suspension, a sport rear differential, red brake calipers, variable-ratio steering, and diamond-stitched Nappa leather upholstery.

The Audi A4 40 TFSI drivetrain consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission (known as S tronic) sends that energy to a Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The same engine, transmission, and Quattro system are also in the 45 TFSI powertrain, but output is boosted to 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

As an S4 model, this Audi employs a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developing 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is an 8-speed Tiptronic, which is Audi’s way of saying it has the regular planetary gear arrangement found in most automatics.

In common with most turbocharged engines, premium gasoline is recommended.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (A4 40 TFSI)
201 horsepower @ 4,200-6,000 rpm
236 lb-ft of torque @ 1,450-4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/34 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (A4 45 TFSI)
261 horsepower @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (S4)
349 horsepower @ 5,400-6,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg