Audi A4 2016 Review

In Malaysia's mid-size luxury sedan market, the competition among the German Big Three (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz) remains fierce. Consumers not only value brand quality but also have high demands for driving and riding balance. The 2016 Audi A4 public, as a popular choice in this segment, focuses on core selling points such as "lightweight chassis for improved handling," "first introduction of the virtual cockpit," and "quattro all-wheel drive option rare in this price range." The main purpose of this review is to verify whether these highlights truly translate to advantages in daily use and how it compares to its competitors on Malaysian roads.

Starting with the exterior, the 2016 A4 public takes a "refined but understated" design approach. The front features Audi's iconic hexagonal chrome grille, which is slightly wider than the previous generation, paired with angular LED daytime running lights on both sides, giving it high recognizability. Two raised lines on the hood stretch from the grille towards the A-pillar, adding a sporty touch. The side profile features smooth lines, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the taillights, complemented by 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (18-inch optional for higher trims), creating a well-proportioned look. Chrome trim at the bottom of the doors enhances the luxurious feel. The rear design is simple, with horizontally arranged LED taillights forming an "L" shape when lit, echoing the front. The edge of the trunk lid has a subtle ducktail-style spoiler that is barely noticeable unless closely inspected. Overall, the exterior design avoids being overly aggressive but pays attention to detail, fitting its positioning as a mid-size luxury sedan.

Stepping inside, the first thing that catches attention is the "virtual cockpit"—a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, which was a rare feature in 2016 among vehicles in the same class. The instrument cluster offers three modes: the classic mode displays RPM and speed, while navigation mode enlarges the map in the center, providing clear information and intuitive operation. The center console features an 8.3-inch floating display screen, paired with physical buttons and knobs that are logically arranged, making it easy to operate even while driving. In terms of interior materials, most of the upper dashboard and inner sides of the door panels are made of soft-touch plastics with a fine texture. Higher trims also add leather upholstery to the seats and door panels, significantly enhancing the luxury feel. The seats offer decent support, and the front seats come with electric adjustments and lumbar support, ensuring long drives remain comfortable.

In terms of space, the 2016 A4 public has a wheelbase of 2820mm, which is standard for a mid-size sedan. The front-row space is ample, allowing a 180cm tall passenger to have one fist and two fingers of headroom above. The rear legroom is about two fists, and the headroom is one fist, so even three adults sitting in the back won't feel cramped. For storage, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, the center armrest box has decent depth and can fit a phone and wallet, while the rear door panels also have storage compartments alongside a central cup holder. The trunk has a capacity of 505L, with a wide opening that can easily accommodate two 28-inch suitcases. The rear seats also support a 40/60 split-fold design, allowing for occasional transport of large items. It is worth mentioning that the rear seat is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB ports, providing thoughtful care for the passengers.

In terms of power, the 2016 Audi A4 public version available in the Malaysian market comes in two variants: 1.4TFSI (150 horsepower, 250Nm) and 2.0TFSI low-power version (190 horsepower, 320Nm), both paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. This test drive version is the 2.0TFSI. At the start, the power response is aggressive, and pressing the accelerator quickly gives a noticeable pushback feeling. The mid-to-late acceleration is also linear; accelerating again at a speed of 80km/h is smooth with quick downshifts from the transmission and fluent power delivery, making it sufficient for highways or mountain roads. There are four driving modes: Economic, Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic. When switched to Dynamic mode, throttle sensitivity increases, and the steering becomes heavier, suitable for times when you want to "drive spiritedly." In Comfort mode, the power output is smooth, suited for daily commuting.

The handling and chassis performance are one of the highlights of the 2016 A4 public version. It uses a lightweight aluminum chassis, which is 120kg lighter than the previous generation, providing a direct sense of improved steering precision. The steering wheel has very little play—you get exactly what you put into it. During cornering, the body roll is well controlled, and it doesn’t feel unstable even at slightly higher speeds. The chassis suspension is tuned for comfort but still maintains a certain level of support—when crossing speed bumps, the suspension filters out most bumps without feeling too harsh. At high speeds, the chassis feels solid and stable. However, on roads with continuous potholes, passengers in the rear seats can still feel some vibrations, though it remains within an acceptable range.

In terms of performance testing, we focused on fuel consumption and braking. The 2.0TFSI version achieves approximately 8.5L/100km in urban driving and 6.2L/100km on highways under comprehensive Malaysian road conditions. These figures are slightly above average compared to vehicles with similar displacement. The braking performance is excellent, with a stopping distance of around 38 meters from 100km/h. There’s no significant brake fade during repeated braking, which boosts confidence. If you choose the quattro all-wheel-drive version, it provides more balanced power distribution on rainy or slippery roads, reducing the chance of slippage during starts and improving overall handling.

In terms of ride comfort, the 2016 Audi A4 public excels in noise control. Below 60km/h, wind and tire noise inside the cabin are almost inaudible. At 100km/h, wind noise becomes slightly noticeable but doesn’t affect normal conversation. The seat cushions are of moderate softness with good support, ensuring that occupants don’t feel fatigue during long rides. Additionally, the air conditioning system works exceptionally well in Malaysia's hot weather, and the rear independent air conditioning allows passengers to adjust the temperature according to their own needs.

In summary, the 2016 Audi A4 public has three core advantages. First, the "virtual cockpit" brings a sense of technology, standing out as a differentiated feature in its price range. Second, the lightweight chassis enhances the balance between handling and comfort, making it suitable for daily commuting and occasional long-distance driving. Third, its well-balanced space meets the needs of family users. Compared to the BMW 3 Series of the same class, it offers better comfort; compared to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, it has an advantage in technological features.

The main target groups are two types: first, family users who value "balance," needing space for family members while hoping for decent handling and tech features; second, professionals aged 30-40, as the luxury feel and understated design of this car can handle both daily commutes and business receptions with ease.

Finally, if you're looking for a "mid-size luxury sedan with no obvious shortcomings," the 2016 Audi A4 public is worth considering—it doesn't have overly aggressive designs or extreme performance, but it achieves mid-to-upper level performance in the same class when it comes to technology, space, handling, and comfort. It's a car that feels "very easy to use."