GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Car reviews - Audi - A4 - 2.0 TDI sedan

Our Opinion

We like
Muscular midrange performance, effortless high-speed crusing ability, fuel efficiency, quieter than Golf TDI, excellent brakes, superb build quaility, best-in-class interior design, ergonomics, equipment levels, value - it's $11,000 cheaper than its Mercedes rival
Room for improvement
Less responsive than Golf TDI, noisy at start-up (from the outside), CVT lacks response, overly firm ride, steering too light and lacks feel, expensive options including split-folding rear seat, $7000 premium over 2.0 petrol A4

24 Nov 2005

IN some European countries the turbo-diesel takes the lion share of A4 sales.

Knowing this, you would think it be a great drive, right?

Well, it’s certainly no disappointment, this 103kW/320Nm TDI. In fact, the Audi feels just like a Golf turbo-diesel except that it is a bit quieter (good) and a little less responsive (not so good).

Since it uses exactly the same engine as the VW as well as Audi’s A3 2.0 TDI, much of the other performance and dynamic attributes are broadly similar.

This includes a slightly noisy (from outside of the car) start-up when cold, followed by appealingly strong mid-range acceleration and a desire to cruise happily all day at speeds at and beyond the legal limit.

It’s all the same TDI story then, and it’s all good if lazy long-legged cruising is your thing.

The constantly variable transmission (CVT automatic) does take a little getting-used to, but it certainly seems very well matched to the TDI’s impressive power characteristics.

That’s because there is plenty of torque available in the TDI from less than 2000rpm. It’s one of those gearboxes that spools up into action so there is a small time delay.

Only if absolutely instant acceleration is needed, in a very quick overtaking situation for instance, does the relatively languid nature of the CVT become obvious and annoying.

You’d almost forgive it this though since the gearbox is such a smooth and effortless thing.

Otherwise the turbo-diesel settles into the same quality groove that its other A4 siblings inhabit.

That means ride quality that really is bordering on the too firm for comfort steering that is light and very direct but lacking in feel and brakes that are superbly modulated.

You wont be surprised to learn that the build quality is excellent in an interior that is a modern-day classic as far as aesthetics and lay out are concerned.

Now five years old, some critics say it looks a little dated by the A4 is still a paragon of great cabin architecture.

Beautifully weighted minor controls, excellent instrumentation, adequate ventilation and firm yet comfy seats are par for the Audi course.

But while there is reasonable equipment for the money, paying extra for a split-fold rear seat in a car approaching $60,000 seems extortionate to us.

No A4 is going to feel fresh against the E90 BMW 3 Series or Lexus IS250. Both are newer and better for keen drivers.

Yet neither offers a diesel. And the only other one that does in the lower-luxury class demands an extra $11,000-plus for it.

This makes the 2.0 TDI a unique and likeable proposition, as well as the A4 that’s probably the best one to buy if it’s your own bucks that you’re spending. It’s certainly preferable to the 96kW 2.0-litre non-FSI petrol lump, even if it costs $7000 more.

Even a brief drive will reveal why so many Europeans make the TDI their A4 of choice.

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new A4

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

A4 pricing

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here