Is the 2021 Audi A4 good for families?

Styling

The refreshed A4 was introduced in SA towards the end of 2020, despite being  launched to the European market in 2019 already. The fifth-generation A4 looks wider and more sporty, and is 15 kilos lighter than its predecessor. It gets a new front end, consisting of Audi's 'Singleframe' grille, new headlamps, a redesigned LED light clusters, a reshaped bumper and a few other exterior features depending on the model of your choice and which options you ticked.  Even the poverty-spec A4 35TFSI we tested, looks stylish and sporty with hardly any options added. (You can read Martin's report here to find out what else has been added in the latest A4.)

 

What's the interior like?

The interior is a minimalistic affair with no superfluous buttons, and can be experienced as either cold and clinical or fuss-free and uncluttered, depending on what your taste is. My husband loved it, while I thought it needed a little more character. I also found our test model's grey leather interior a bit bland, but this can all be spruced up to your heart's content with different colours and textures, of which many are no-cost options. Our test car also had Audi's virtual cockpit specified as well as a bangin' Bang & Olufsen surround sound system.

 

How safe is it?

Safe enough for a five-star rating from EuroNCAP. Safety spec includes six airbags, traction/stability control, a tyre pressure monitor, adaptive headlights (if you specify Audi's matrix LEDs), and you can select packages that will allow you functions such as lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control at extra cost. Emergency SOS calls will be made via a call centre if you find yourself in trouble, and emergency services will be despatched immediately to your exact location.

 

Is it practical?

 

The ergonomic layout in front and a relatively spacious rear seat with ISOFIX fittings on the outer rear seats make the very A4 family-friendly, indeed. Just bear in mind that due to any sedan's height, it will never be as easy as fitting a child seat into an SUV. You'll fit that baby-buggy into the spacious boot with no trouble at all.

A storage compartment in the centre console offers a spacious area for larger items such as a compact DSLR camera, for example (very specific, I know, because that's where I kept it!).

Those on the rear seat have their own air vents that can be adjusted to their temperature of choice. Some USB ports back here would have been welcome, but the 12V socket can be used as a socket for a portable USB hub. If you need extra ports, you have to pay for them.

 

 

Is it good to drive?

The 2.0-litre in the 35TFSI we tested is hardly as fast as lightening, and takes 8.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h - but this isn't an S4, and there's enough power for the average Joe's needs. Our test model did not have sport suspension, which is also preferable when you have young ones riding in the rear. The A4 retains its dynamic driving feel but I suspect that A4 ownership, especially the base model, is more about value for money and practicality. The Audi Drive Select button allows for further drive mode customisation.

The petrol models are now equipped with mild-hybrid technology that allows the engine to switch off completely under certain driving conditions, for lower emissions and lower fuel consumption. The A4 40TFSI's 2.0-litre turbocharged powerplant is the quickest in the lineup (0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds) while the 2.0-litre diesel (35TDI) does the same sprint in 8.7 seconds.

It's probably expensive, right?

The entry-level A4 35TFSI retails for R666 500 at present, and you could probably get away with not having to tick too many options due to its relatively comprehensive standard spec sheet. 

But wait a minute, the Audi Q3 35TFSI costs 'only' R651 000...

This throws a spanner in the works, because why would you drive a sedan when you can get an SUV with more boot space and higher ground clearance that costs even less? It all comes down to taste, I suppose, but perhaps you're a two-car family where the other vehicle is built for the rougher stuff, so you don't need an additional off-roader at all, really. I conducted a quick poll on Twitter, and Twitter still voted for the A4, which was quite interesting. Also, the majority of voters were men. The Q3 that I compared with the A4 also has 110kW but power comes from a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, which has just a smidgen less torque than the A4.

 

Verdict

 

If you have your heart set on a premium executive sedan, the A4 is great for families, but the Q3 SUV does make a compelling offer, since it's very similar in price to the A4, albeit slightly less roomy in the cabin for passengers.

The integrated touchscreen in the Q3 is also preferable to the unit that it sits on top of the dashboard in the A4. If it were up to me, I'd probably opt for the Q3 as a family car just because of its ground clearance and because I like venturing off-road on weekends. I should mention, however, that the A4 with its stock-standard wheels doesn't shy away from good dirt roads and suspension is highly comfortable.

 

Pricing for the new A4 is as follows:

Audi A4 35TFSI (tested)	R 666 500
Audi A4 35TFSI Advanced line	R 685 500
Audi A4 40TFSI	R 705 500
Audi A4 35TDI	R 706 500
Audi A4 40TFSi Advanced line	R 724 500
Audi A4 35TDI Advanced line	R 725 500
Audi A4 40TFSI S line	R 750 500
Audi A4 35TDI S line	R 751 500

(Pricing may increase without prior notice. Please visit the Audi SA A4 microsite here for the latest prices and specs.)