The current generation of the Audi A4 has been around for more than half a decade so is buying used a better value than new? We test both to find out.
Is It Better to Buy a New or Used Audi A4?
When Audi released the latest version of the A4 back in 2017 it was certainly an improvement on the previous model. Since 2017, the A4 has continued to grow in terms of power, performance, luxury, and price. Ultimately though, it’s still sitting on the same chassis with the same core technology so we wonder if it might be smarter to buy used rather than new.
To find out if it’s better to buy a new or used Audi A4, we’re going to compare the specs, driving characteristics, interior comfort, and features of a 2020 model to a brand-new 2023 one. Then, we’ll crown a winner of this Buy Smart comparison.
Specs
The 2020 Audi A4 is here because it received an important set of upgrades. To that end, it features the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as the 2023 version but back in 2020, it made less power. The base variant develops 188 hp while the hopped-up version is good for 248.
Interestingly, the lower is only available with front-wheel drive while the more powerful engine is only available with Audi’s famous Quattro AWD system. According to the EPA, it’ll get up to 27 mpg combined. We found that used-car pricing for a 2020 A4 hovered around $30,000. For that price, you can get almost every trim level so long as you’re willing to do a little searching.
Today, the 2023 Audi A4 starts at $41,395 but can easily take a $51k+ chunk of change out of your wallet if you’re not careful. For that cash, you’ll get either a 201 hp or 261 hp version of the same basic engine package from 2020. The big difference is that to get those extra ponies, Audi added a 12-volt mild hybrid system. It also includes Quattro AWD as a standard feature across the lineup. In addition to more power and standard AWD, the 2023 version also gets 28 mpg combined besting its 2020 used sibling by a single mpg.
Driving and Performance
The A4 offers some of the crispest driver feedback in the small luxury sedan class. It’s nimble, light on its feet, and great at providing feedback through the steering wheel and pedals. The base engine and FWD drivetrain is a bit underwhelming but it’s still smooth and quiet which is what most buyers will be after.
The Quattro-imbued version is considerably more engaging though. Sure, this might still be a FWD-biased AWD system but it’s discerningly more grippy and willing to hug corners at high speeds. If there’s anything to balk at it has to be a very small lag in the accelerator pedal from a dead stop. Past that, we can’t think of much that we don’t love about the A4 driving experience, even if it doesn’t have as much punch as the new model.
And that extra power sure does feel good to our right foot. It takes the top-end version of this engine from fun to actually quite quick. Audi’s also re-tuned the suspension over the years so the A4 reacts just a touch more quickly. As a result, it’s slightly easier to place and it tends to understeer just a little less too.
If there’s one area where these cars feel distinctly different, it’s in terms of driving dynamics. The 2020 isn’t bad from behind the wheel but the 2023 is decidedly better. Those in search of a very different A4 driving experience should consider the Allroad.
Comfort and Interior
As is the case with many facets of these two cars, the interior of the 2020 Audi A4 isn’t too dissimilar from that of the 2023 version. The biggest difference is likely to be the condition of the particular example that you’re looking at in your used-car market. In terms of design, the dash, center console, infotainment center, and door panels are angular, clean, and ergonomically well-placed.
We especially like small touches like the volume knob just to the right of the shifter in the center console. It’s a perfect example of how Audi manages to add features that might feel out of place in a photo but feel great to use in real life.
The 2023 model simply adds luxury touches and nicer materials to the already great game that the 2020 version plays. For example, wireless Apple CarPlay was added as a feature back in 2021 along with heated rear seats for the Prestige model, a heated steering wheel, and parking sensors. Some of those features, like the stereo for example, can be upgraded after the fact so used-car buyers aren’t totally out of the loop there.
Trims and Features
Both year models of the A4 feature the same three trim level names, Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. All three are available with either the 40 TFSI engine configuration with less power or the 45 TFSI version with more power. Again, for 2020, the base engine is only available with FWD while the more powerful one only comes with AWD. In 2023, all A4s are AWD regardless of engine choice. A seven-speed automatic gearbox is standard across all trims, engines, and both year models.
For 2020, the Premium came with LED headlights, a 10.1-inch infotainment system, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a sunroof.
The Premium Plus adds Audi’s digital cockpit, a wide digital gauge cluster, a rear-seat climate control interface, memory for the driver’s seat, USB power ports for the rear seats, power-folding exterior mirrors, and parking sensors.
The Prestige tacked on a whole lot more including adaptive cruise control, dual-pane acoustic glass, a heads-up display, traffic sign recognition, park assist, a 360-degree camera system, and animations for the headlights and taillights.
In 2023, the base Premium A4 comes with LED headlights, a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, the same 10.1-inch infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, forward collision mitigation, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and lane-departure warning.
The Premium Plus adds more features including: 18-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, rear-seat USB ports, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a surround-view camera system, a digital cockpit, and armrests covered with faux leather.
The Prestige trim adds heated rear seats, a heads-up display, an automated parking system, and configurable ambient lighting.
New vs Used Audi A4: The Verdict
For our cash, we’d be hard-pressed not to go with a well-loved used Audi A4 from 2020. No, it’s not as powerful but a mild aftermarket tune can fix that. At the same time, it still features almost all of the same software and hardware that the brand-new 2023 Audi A4 does albeit at a huge discount.
Keep in mind though that there are a number of other great luxury cars under $20k. So it’s possible to get an even better deal than either Audi A4. We also really like some other new sedans in this space like the Volvo S60 so unless you’re dead set on getting an A4 be sure to look around at all options.
