People buy a compact car because it is affordable and a luxury car because of its style. If you wish to buy a car that your budget can reach without sacrificing the style, 2018 Audi A4 can be your best choice. It combines style, technology and performance in such way that you will be amazed that with such perfect combination, the car doesn’t actually drain your budget too much. A brief look into the car that will be explained below will give you some clues of how great this luxury compact car actually is.
Strong Points
There are some notable aspects of 2018 Audi A4 that give it a clear edge in this year’s luxury compact car competition.
1. All-Wheel Drive System
The most notable one lies on the car’s wheel drive system. All models, with the exception of the base Ultra, comes with the standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system that guarantees excellent stability and improved traction. The base Ultra of this car features front-wheel drive system, which is efficient in construction and handling slippery surfaces. In terms of wheel drive performance, 2018 Audi A4 is nearly unbeatable.
2. Full Cockpit LCD Display
The Prestige variant of 2018 Audi A4 is a technologically advanced model with full LCD display in the cockpit area. The size of the electronic gauge can be minimized to allow the LCD panel to display in real time the satellite view of the road. This integrated map system allows you to locate your destination, to check traffic condition, and to find the most convenient shortcuts smartly and easily.
3. Adaptive Cruise Control
Collision, even non-serious, is considered a disaster. Thanks to the car’s adaptive cruise control system, any types of collision can be avoided because the car can slow down or even stop immediately if it detects imminent collision. This system allows the car to maintain safe distance with the traffic ahead. It is also capable to anticipate turns and curves and to control the car’s speed accordingly. This adaptive system makes 2018 Audi A4 the safest compact car you can drive today.
4. 5-Star NHTSA Safety Rating
In addition to the adaptive cruise control and automatic braking system, there are many other safety features that make 2018 Audi A4 a safe car to drive, hence the 5 out of 5 stars in the NHTSA safety rating system. All crash tests give this car a Good score and you will feel safe when driving it thanks to a complete set of safety features including high beam assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
5. Bolder Exterior Look
Despite being slight, the cosmetic changes that 2018 Audi A4 receives compared with its direct predecessor can be said to be comprehensive. The car’s overall size this year has extended both in length and width. The front façade, especially the grille and headlight area, looks bolder with more angular decorations. The same bold look is also apparent at the rear of the car. The car simply looks both attractive and intimidating when seen from every angle.
Weak Points
2018 Audi A4 showcases many great features that make it a distinct fully revamped model; however, it does show some areas that still need improvements.
1. Limited Cabin Space
The interior of 2018 Audi A4 does look futuristic with all high-tech accessories and luxurious with first-rate materials; however, it cannot be said spacious. There is not much area for the driver to rest their right foot and the rear seat area feels cramped.
2. Not the Most Powerful Engine.
Although the 2018 model of Audi A4 is considered strong in terms of traction and stability, the same cannot be said with the engine. I don’t say that 2018 Audi A4 is a slow runner. In fact, it is quite powerful with 2.0-L turbocharged inline-4 engine capable of producing 190 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque for the base Ultra and 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque for the remaining variants. With such engine, you can enjoy fun driving experience on city roads and highways. However, an inline engine is not the most powerful choice and if you need a real performer, the S4, which features 3.0-L turbocharged V-6 engine, might be a better choice.
Price
2018 Audi A4 introduces many improvements in the area of design, technology and performance compared with the 2017 model, yet it is still capable to keep its price at a reasonable range. The retail price for the base Ultra starts at $37,000, but if you want to experience the real Quattro all-wheel drive experience, you should expect your expense to range from $41,500 to $51,000.