Cars Service

2006 Audi A4 review

Whats New for 2006

The Audi A4 has a few new powertrain options this year for the V6. Specifically, the V6 can now be equipped with a six-speed manual on all-wheel-drive sedans and wagons. The V6 can also be ordered this year for a front-drive A4 sedan with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The only other significant change this year is the "S-line" name for the sport package.



Interior Features

The Audi A4 interior was redesigned as part of the all-new generation launched as a 2005.5 model. Its a nice, high-quality cabin, as weve come to expect from Audi. Colors and finishes are muted. A choice of wood trim is available that nicely complements the interior. At certain angles the sun reflected off of the silver trim surrounding the shifter on our 2.0T sedan, however.

Seats are well bolstered and have plenty of lumbar support. We found them comfortable and supportive. The standard cloth upholstery feels durable and provides a bit of grip. The optional leather surfaces are elegantly stitched and fit our posteriors well. The seats, mirrors, steering column and other features adjust in every conceivable direction, helping drivers find a comfortable seating position.

Interior space in the new A4 matches that of the previous-generation model. Its generally adequate in front but somewhat limited in rear leg room. This is not a car for the full-figured or for people much taller than six feet.

All controls are focused on the driver and with few exceptions are ergonomically configured and intuitively located. The steering wheel hub repeats the grilles trapezoidal outline. A minimalist set of secondary controls on the steering wheel spokes manages audio and other functions. Steering column-mounted stalks operate the usual array of features and are clearly marked except the rear window wiper and washer on the Avant, which is controlled by the right-hand lever. A proper handbrake lever resides in the center console with a pair of cup holders alongside.

Round gauges shaded by a hooded instrument panel look out through the top half of the three-spoke steering wheel. The information display, reporting such data as radio frequency, trip mileage, service interval warning and such, separates the tachometer and speedometer, with fuel and coolant gauges tucked away down in the corners.

The center stack features knobs and buttons for the audio and climate controls, and all easily deciphered and within easy reach. The climate control is easy to operate, but the air conditioning struggled to keep up on a 95-degree day driving through the desert.

When DVD navigation is ordered, the stereo panel gives way to the map display, which then doubles as a stereo panel. The navigation display is one of the best of the current generation of such systems. Readily understood controls orient the cursor and shift the map scale, with on-screen telltales stealing very little real estate from the map. The map offers both a flat, two-dimensional and a birds-eye perspective, the latter with a distant horizon visible running across the upper area of the screen.

The premium stereo has MP3 capability and a pair of slots for Secure Digital memory cards. Still, only stereo volume and pre-set radio stations can be changed without first pressing Accept on the opening display panel each and every time the car is started. We find it annoying to have to perform the electronic version of signing a legal agreement just to turn on the radio. Also, the stereo is on all the time the navigational system is active; you dont turn it off, you turn it down, another minor annoyance, but thats the way Mercedes does it, too.

We like the lane-change signal feature, where a tap of the turn indicator lever delivers three blinks. We wish the beep confirming the remote lock would sound more promptly, as we constantly found ourselves pausing for a moment to be sure the doors had in fact locked. We like the one-piece wiper blades for their sleek looks, slicker aerodynamics and solid seating against the glass at autobahn speeds. And were thankful for the red Stop button on the drivers memory settings panel for those times when we pressed the wrong memory setting button. While we are strong believers in seat belts, we found the warning chime annoying because it would urgently sound after starting the car before we started driving. In other words, youre not allowed to just sit there in the car with the engine running without buckling up.

Storage is aided by a big glove box, though it gives up space to the CD changer if the navigation system is ordered. A nice touch is a drawer the size of a credit card above the in-dash CD changer. The front doors have fixed map pockets. Net pouches on the rear of the front seatbacks hold magazines, snacks and other sundries. A power point in the center console bin is provided in addition to the cigar lighter in the front ashtray. A flip-down armrest in the rear seat contains two cup holders. The fold-down, height-adjustable front center armrest aligns with the driver door armrest, encouraging a restful, upright driver posture; it does, however, interfere with the handbrake, requiring either a wrist-contorting, forearm-straining pull-force or folding it up out of the way to gain access to the lever. One tester finds this armrest annoying and flips it up and out of the way when driving.

Cargo volume remains the same in the new A4, with cubbies in the cargo areas interior side panels and numerous tie downs. The trunk lid flips out of the way for easy access.

The Avant features a two-way cargo cover that houses a pull-up, vertical net to restrain stacked objects or maybe a dog, which could be important in an accident. Pull-down grips inside the liftgate spares your hands from road grime.

Powertrains and Performance:

On the A4 convertible, you can choose either the 1.8T, which has a 170-hp turbocharged inline four, or the 3.0, which has a 220-hp V6. On the sedan and Avant, you have your choice of the 2.0T, a turbo four with 200 hp, or the 3.2, a 255-hp V6. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard on the wagon and available for the sedan and convertible. Sedans and wagons with quattro can be equipped with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The 3.0 convertible quattro comes only with a five-speed automatic, and front-wheel-drive A4s are only available with the CVT.

Safety:

Safety features include a superb set of four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, BrakeAssist and stability control. Additionally, the A4 is equipped with side airbags for the driver and front passenger. Sedans and wagons also come with side curtain airbags for the front and rear (seat-mounted rear airbags are optional), while convertibles get a rollover protection system. In government crash testing, the A4 sedan received four stars for front-occupant protection in frontal crashes. For side impacts, front occupants received five stars and rear occupants four stars.

Interior Design and Special Features:

High-quality materials, solid construction and a sleek, modern design make this a car youll love every time you get in. The seats can be on the firm side and a few of the controls take some time to get used to, but the overall design is one of the best in the segment. Wagons offer 27.8 cubic feet of luggage capacity with the rear seats up and 60.6 when theyre folded.

Driving Impressions:

The A4 is one of the most balanced cars in the entry-luxury segment in terms of ride and handling. Its comfortable in day-to-day driving as the suspension soaks up most bumps and potholes. A4s equipped with the S-line package provide expanded handling capabilities at the expense of some ride quality. While the A4 isnt as razor-sharp as the BMW 3 Series, the extra grip afforded by quattro could justify the trade-off for many drivers.source : http://www.edmunds.com