2022 Audi A4

Audi A4 2021-2022 Review

It may come as a surprise to some, but there was in fact a point when Audi models were fairly popular in Malaysia – and even locally assembled to boot. These days have come and gone, of course, but one model that proved to be quite exciting was the Audi A4 – and that nameplate has been offered locally in various forms up until today.

Audi hasn’t quite managed to regain the footing they used to have in the market, yielding to their German and Japanese rivals in most market segments, but the Audi A4 is still something you can buy today. In the past it was offered with a choice of three different powertrains – a 1.4 TFSI, a mid-spec 2.0 TFSI, and a high spec 2.0 TFSI quattro. These days it is only offered in that highest specification as its sole variant.

Still though, the A4 is a remarkable car that has plenty to offer in its own unique way. Audi has never really pandered to the establishment and that has earned them popularity in a number of markets around the world, especially when the word ‘quattro’ is mentioned. The A4 is an executive luxury sedan that represented the cheapest sedan in the range, until the A3 was offered with a sedan variant.

This particular generation of the Audi A4 is known as the B9, and was launched her back in 2016 in its first iteration. A mid-life facelift was released globally in 2019, and finally offered here at the beginning of 2021-2022. Prior to this most current facelift, Audi had offered a variety of different packages like the Tech Pack and S line package, but the current variant on offer has all of these boxes ticked.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Specifications

Over the years the powertrain offerings for the Audi A4 have grown and shrunk, diversifying into subsets like the Audi S4 and Audi RS4 – the latter of which is available here as a wagon. Specific to the A4, however, the largest engine you can for it is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit in a variety of tunes. The variant on sale here happens to be the most powerful, delivering 249 hp and 370 Nm of torque from as low as 1,600 rpm.

That performance is channeled through a seven-speed dual-clutch type automatic gearbox known as the Audi S-Tronic. As the name of the variant suggests, the quattro system spreads the power out across all four wheels, giving the Audi A4 impressive traction as conditions become more adverse. The system here is one of the more mass-market consumer-oriented designs, not quite offering aggressive rear-biased torque splits or fancy rear differentials to shuffle power across the left and right wheels.

It’s interesting to note that until more recently, at least in parts of the world not dominated by harsh winters, all-wheel drive wasn’t really offered at this price point or level with an executive luxury sedan. Nowadays this has changed slightly, though where the sole Audi A4 variant offered here sits, it remains an exception with its quattro system.

The platform on which the Audi A4 is built is a derivative of the MLB architecture that underpins a variety of other models in the Audi range. The wheelbase is a length 2,820 mm, for an overall length of 4,726 mm and width of 1,842 mm. Proportionally, this generation seems more stretched out than its predecessor, trading a sportier edge for more luxury aspirations.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Exterior

Even with the sharper looking package for the exterior, the Audi A4 isn’t as aggressive as it used to look. Sure, it has iconic eye-catching LED lights from tip to tail, but it doesn’t quite have the pumped out fender flares or the stance that older A4s had. In return, you have a luxury sedan that looks more prestigious, especially sitting on 18-inch wheels and tyres in a 10-spoke dynamic style with a graphite gray finish.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Interior

Despite not having massive updates since 2016, the Audi A4’s interior manages to stay on par with the competition – by being futuristic to begin with. The floating infotainment screen is nothing new for your discerning luxury car owner, but the Audi virtual cockpit Plus was a pioneering addition by Audi in this segment, replacing the entire instrument cluster with a heavily customizable screen. Switchgear in the Audi A4 is also well thought out and designed, being futuristic and functional in the same breath.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Safety Features

The safety suite found in the Audi A4 isn’t the most complex or comprehensive, with Audi not quite pushing advanced driver assistance systems and the car itself coming from the mid-2010s before an aggressive uptake in these systems being adopted in cars. There is still your usual assortment of electronic aids like electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, and hill hold assist. Six airbags are found throughout the cabin, as is a power-operated child safety lock for the rear doors and windows.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

If we’re talking about Audi models in general, there’s a certain sense of refinement and technological edge that you get with the design of both the exterior and interior, as well as the powertrain. Granted this isn’t really the case as rivals have introduced more innovative infotainment and connectivity systems, but Audi’s tagline of progress through technology is more than just lip service in terms of the experience.

More specific to this model, the combination of a relatively powerful engine and that quattro all-wheel drive system results in a car that’s a joy to drive, even in less-than-ideal conditions. It is rare that we have all-wheel drive cars at all in Malaysia short of the odd SUV or performance hot hatchback, so when we do get to drive something with all-wheel drive we are reminded of just how much extra traction they manage to find. This works both in terms of the driving experience, and peace of mind from a safety standpoint.

Unfortunately, Audi just doesn’t have the service network nor the back end support that its rivals do, and in turn this makes the A4 a tougher sell than it ever deserves to be. It is an impeccable product that can more than hold a candle to other offerings on the market, but the car ownership experience is more than just driving for the vast majority of consumers.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Price

The sole variant of the Audi A4 that remains on sale today is the aforementioned 2.0 TFSI quattro variant, which goes for a retail price of RM 346,050.93 – inclusive of the 50% SST exemptions that are currently in place, and limited to Peninsular Malaysia. The pricing is also inclusive of a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Features

Being what was previously the top-spec model, the sole variant of the Audi A4 on offer here has plenty of features throughout. Both front seats are power adjustable, with lumbar support and massage functionality for the driver seat. There a three-zone climate control system – two for the front and one for the rear. Keyless access and start are expected, but there is also a hands-free boot opening system included in the package. Ambient lighting, cruise control, and a birds-eye view camera system are all provided as well.

Audi A4 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

The manufacturer quoted fuel consumption figure for the sole Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro model on offer is 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres, or 14.1 kilometres per litre. Being a turbocharged car, this figure can vary quite largely depending on how you use the car, as running high outputs with the turbo constantly spooling will inherently consume more fuel.