Audi A4 2006 $13,995

Vehicle Overview Volkswagen's luxury division redesigned its compact, entry-level A4 sedan and Avant wagon midway through the 2005 model year by giving them larger engines with direct fuel injection. A new, larger grille was similar to the one on the midsize A6 sedan. Each body style comes in 2.0T form with a turbocharged four-cylinder or in 3.2 guise with a V-6. The A4 Cabriolet is still based on the previous design, though a redesigned version is expected for 2006. Sedans and Cabriolets are available with FrontTrak front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive. The Avant wagon comes only with quattro. Three new models have joined the 2006 lineup: a 3.2 quattro sedan, an Avant wagon with a six-speed-manual transmission and a 3.2 front-drive sedan with Audi's multitronic continuously variable transmission. A new S-line series includes a sport suspension, trunklid lip spoiler, sporty side sills and brushed-aluminum interior trim. A hill-hold function has been added to all CVT models. Audi continues to offer a high-performance S4 series, which is listed separately in the cars.com Research section. Exterior Unmistakably Audi is how the German automaker describes its smaller series, flaunting the brand's sporty character. Clear-glass headlights have sweeping lower edges and an inward taper. Body-colored bumpers are said to accentuate the car's low center of gravity. Visibly flared wheel arches round out the picture. Standard tires on 2.0T models measure 16 inches in diameter, but 17-inch tires are installed on models with the V-6 engine. Xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights, a moonroof and Parktronic rear parking assistance are available. Optional adaptive headlights can pivot 15 degrees. Interior Sedans and wagons seat five people and have four-way power lumbar support. The seat cushions have prominent bolsters. Standard equipment includes automatic dual-zone air conditioning. Leather seating surfaces are included in 3.2 models. The available Audi Navigation Plus system has a 5-inch video screen. Under the Hood A 200-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers 2.0T models. An aluminum 255-hp, 3.1-liter V-6 is installed in 3.2 editions. A six-speed-manual gearbox is standard in all models except the 3.2 FrontTrak. The multitronic CVT is available only in models equipped with FrontTrak, but sedans and wagons with quattro all-wheel drive can have a six-speed Tiptronic automatic that permits manual gear selection. Safety Side curtain-type airbags deploy from above the side windows. Side-impact airbags for front occupants are standard, and rear-seat airbags are optional. Audi's Electronic Stabilization Program incorporates Brake Assist. Driving Impressions In its redesigned form, the A4 is as solid and even more appealing than its predecessor. It joyfully tackles twisting roads, taking every turn in stride. Despite a taut suspension, the ride is magnificent on smooth roads and recovery is swift when you hit a bump. Ride quality is nearly as good with the available sport suspension. Plenty of power hails from the V-6, in a civilized manner. Strong performance with the turbocharged four-cylinder is devoid of turbo lag, and it's a tad more spirited. The manual gearbox shifts easily, and Audi's automatic transmission works without any harshness. Audi's ultra-smooth multitronic CVT works masterfully and subtly. After slight hesitation during takeoff, the car moves ahead with some haste. Passing attempts at low speeds, however, sometimes yield a shortfall of response. You hear a little engine noise while accelerating with the CVT, but not much.

• 1-piece body-color bumpers
• Chrome trim
• Single-frame front grille design
• 2-way ellipsoid halogen projector headlights w/variable focus reflectors
• (2) front fog lights
• (1) rear fog light
• Auto-Blink feature blinks turn signal 3 times when lever shortly pushed up/down
• Dual body-color pwr mirrors w/defog (RH convex)
• Variable-intermittent windshield wipers w/heated washer nozzles
• Cloth front bucket seats
• 60/40 split folding rear seat
• Height-adjustable folding front center armrest w/dual cupholder
• Full center console
• Fold down rear center armrest
• Front/rear floor mats w/snap-in mechanism
• Trapezoidal leather-wrapped multifunction tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel
• Basic driver info center
• Backlit instrumentation w/auto brightness control
• Digital trip odometer w/service interval indicator
• CAN network
• Pwr windows
• Remote keyless entry
• Pwr central locking system
• Cruise control
• Fuel filler door remote release
• Trunk remote release w/soft touch open feature
• Anti-theft vehicle alarm system
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rear window defogger
• Theft-deterrent AM/FM stereo
• 10-speaker sound system
• Satellite radio preparation w/roof-mounted antenna
• Surfboard roof-mounted antenna
• Aluminum interior beltline trim
• Front seat-back map net pockets
• (4) assist handles w/slow retraction feature
• Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
• 3rd sunvisor above rearview mirror
• Interior lighting w/courtesy delay & fade-in/fade-out feature
• Illuminated rear cargo area glove box lighter & ashtray
• Cargo net w/(4) tie-down points
• Storage tray under driver/front passenger seats
• Auxiliary pwr outlet in trunk
• 2.0L DOHC FSI 16-valve I4 turbo charged engine
• Torsen torque sensing center differential
• quattro Permanent all-wheel drive system
• 80-amp/hr battery
• Electronic stability program (ESP) w/anti-slip regulation (ASR)
• Front/rear electronic differential lock (EDL)
• 4-link double wishbone front suspension
• Independent trapezoidal link rear suspension
• Front/rear stabilizer bars
• P215/55HR16 all-season tires
• 16 x 7 5-spoke cast alloy wheels
• Full-size spare tire w/matching alloy wheel
• Pwr servotronic speed-sensitive steering
• Pwr vented front/solid rear disc brakes w/disc wiping feature
• 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS) w/electronic brake force distribution (EBD) for rear brakes
• Brake Assist
• 16.6 gallon fuel tank
• Tool kit located in spare wheel well
• Driver/front passenger next generation frontal airbags w/dual threshold deployment determined by seat buckle switches
• Driver/front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags
• Sideguard front/rear inflatable curtain airbags
• Front 3-point seat belts
• (3) rear 3-point seat belts w/auto pretensioners
• Front/rear passenger safety belts w/automatic locking retractor (ALR)
• Rear seat lower anchorage & upper tether child seat provisions (LATCH)
• Impact protection
• Child safety rear door locks
• Crash sensor system