2004 Audi A4 New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Audi A4?
To keep the price of entry low, front-wheel-drive (FrontTrak) 2004 Audi A4 models lose their standard in-dash CD changer with Symphony sound for a single-disc player and Concert sound. The standard trip computer is also deleted; now a part of the optional Premium package. And on the FrontTrak Audi A4 3.0, a power front passenger seat is no longer available. Despite these losses, 16-inch alloy wheels and a tire-pressure monitor are now standard on all models, and 1.8T quattro versions get a six-speed manual transmission to replace the former five-cog gearbox. The A4 3.0 FrontTrak is also less expensive than last year. Other news for 2004 includes the availability of satellite radio and a new A4 3.0 Cabriolet equipped with quattro all-wheel-drive.

Advantages of the 2004 Audi A4:

• Teutonic good looks
• Front seat comfort
• Impressive handling when equipped with Sport package
• Available quattro all-wheel-drive system
• Convertible, Sedan and wagon iterations available
• Free scheduled maintenance

Objections to the 2004 Audi A4:

• Acceleration surges from a standstill with Multitronic CVT transmission
• Rear seat room is not generous
• Somewhat harsh ride with Sport package
• Mushy handling without Sport package

Editor's Advice:
The original Audi A4 saved the company’s skin when it debuted back in 1996, and today’s model continues to serve as the German automaker’s volume product. Though somewhat cold and mechanical in appearance the interior is warm and inviting, trimmed in the highest quality plastics, woods, metals and leathers. Handling with the optional Sport package is impressive, though a toll is taken in terms of ride quality. Watch out for herky-jerky starts with the Multitronic CVT transmission, which can take some getting used to, especially when accelerating hard. Otherwise, there’s much to like about the 2004 Audi A4, not the least of which is its available all-weather quattro all-wheel-drive system.