10 Audi A4 Competitors to Consider

2018 Audi A4 Rear Quarter Silver Sunset ・ Photo by Audi

Depending on your tastes, demands, and budget, there are more than 10 Audi A4 competitors to consider. But let’s assume a compact or thereabouts premium car with four doors is the starting point and somehow the clean, cerebral sedan styling of the A4 is perhaps a little too straight. In that case, the automotive world has plenty of choices.

A regular A4 with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine starts at around $41,500. That’s including all-wheel drive. To come fully stocked, though, we’re looking at more than $50,000. So the quest is to find something similarly punchy and premium, ideally at a competitive price/equipment ratio.

2018 Acura TLX

One of the main issues with German luxury cars in general is that the options are expensive and the standard versions always require at least a few. Acura offers extra equipment as well, but the “basic” TLX already comes stocked with things that would swell an A4’s bottom line.

The all-wheel version (using Acura's SH-AWD system) has a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a complex torque vectoring system for remarkable handling and grip, starting at a relatively reasonable $39,195. Many driver-assistance features are included, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and road-departure mitigation. That initial price may also allow wiggle room with options, like leather upholstery. The TLX also has a tad more trunk space at 14.3 cubic feet.

Photo by Acura

2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia

Audi styling has its good points, often appealing to the head, but it doesn’t always hit the onlooker in the heart. Alfa Romeo has that ability, following on from a heritage of fabulous designs. The seat of a Giulia driver’s pants will also thrill to 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, along with distinctly European suspension suppleness and handling sharpness.

Adding all-wheel drive to make it more comparable to the A4 pushes the Giulia’s price into the $41,000 area, which is still bearable. For anyone who thinks the usual German suspects are too commonplace and yearns for something different yet still with visual and dynamic impact, here it is.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

2018 Audi A5 Sportback

To keep things in the Audi family but satisfy that little non-conformist streak, the all-new A5 Sportback could be ideal. This is a five-door car with a sloping roof and a handy hatchback configuration. Think of how the Audi A7 is derived from the A6. Fold the rear seats down and there’s more cargo-carrying versatility than the A4 sedan.

The A5 Sportback is also arguably gorgeous. It comes with much of the same equipment and hardware as the A4, but its extra style commands a premium; the A5 Sportback starts at $43,575. Both the A4 and A5 are wonderful cars, but if there’s a downside to both, it’s that only the most expensive Prestige trim level offers Audi's advanced driver assistance package.

Photo by Audi

2018 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Among premium compact sedans, the 3 Series is the benchmark. Even while there’s a new generation waiting in the wings (due for the 2019 model year), this is still a desirable car. That’s because it’s one of the most appealing in terms of driving fun, while still providing luxury appointments, comfort, and technology.

A variation on the 3 Series theme, however, brings more style: the 4 Series Gran Coupe (based on the 3 Series platform). Despite the name, it’s still a four-door car, but it comes with a sleeker roofline. Like the A5 Sportback, buyers are asked to pay more (from $44,095 for the rear-drive 430i version) for less (in this case, rear headroom), but there’s a boost in presence and prestige.

Photo by BMW

2018 Genesis G80

Let’s say that one of the reasons for not buying an A4 is its size. Although the Audi is still roomy, our hypothetical buyer wants even more space. On top of that, a lot of standard-issue luxury features would also be preferable and, no, the badge doesn’t matter.

The G80 offers passenger volume similar to the bigger Audi A6, but costs around the same as an A4. Equipment levels, meanwhile, cover almost everything, including many advanced driver aids like blind-spot monitoring. A maintenance valet service and three years of satellite radio subscriptions are also part of the deal. The rear-wheel drive version with 311 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque from a V6 engine starts at a seriously competitive $42,725.

Photo by Genesis

2018 Jaguar XE

There are two traits to the XE that could lure a buyer away from an Audi dealership — the way it looks and the way it drives. The aesthetic aspect is best left to the eye of the beholder, but the suspension is objectively wonderful.

Hit a rough road surface and the XE will absorb all the bumps and ruts. But come across a set of challenging curves, and the car shows its precise and controlled side. Opt for the adaptive suspension and those comfy/sporty extremes are stretched even wider apart. The regular engine comes with 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque; pricing starts at $36,720. The only disappointment is the cabin, which is not at the A4’s level.

Photo by Jaguar

2019 Lexus ES

The closest Lexus to the A4 is the small, somewhat sporty IS. But its current generation has gotten old, and the revamped 2019 model is still in the pipeline. The much roomier 2019 ES, however, is completely redesigned in ways to make it more comparable to the A4, with plenty of safety equipment and a previously absent talent for taking corners.

The ES is, however, still really good at being the super-comfortable entry-level Lexus sedan. This company is renowned for excellent build quality, strong resale values, offering many features for the price, and a dealership experience that won’t induce a migraine. With a starting price of around $39,000 and a 302-hp V6, the new ES is intriguing at last.

Photo by Lexus

2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

After the BMW 3 Series, the C-Class is high on the list of A4 competitors. Today's generation of C-Class is only a couple of model years old, so the technology still feels fresh. This is one of the company’s best-selling vehicles. With good reason, it’s almost like a scaled-down S-Class, the company’s flagship model. We’d recommend the optional adaptive air suspension for even greater luxury.

The A4 and C-Class come with similar levels of standard equipment, so the choice could be whether a buyer falls in the Audi camp or has a preference for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. There are no wrong choices here.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2018 Tesla Model 3

Just because someone wants an alternative to the A4 doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate distinct design approaches or that they spurn the idea of early adoption. Not that Tesla is such an unknown quantity these days. The company has been making stylish and tech-rich cars for several years now.

The Model 3 is the company's new all-electric premium sedan, smaller than the Model S and with a more accessible starting price (around $36,000 before any federal and state incentives), a range of 220 miles (310 with the bigger battery option), and an Audi-like cachet. Tesla’s issue is that it cannot make enough to satisfy demand and is building the more highly specced versions first. Even so, this is an intriguing zero-emissions alternative.

Photo by Tesla

2018 Volvo S60/V60

With a starting price of $35,095, the S60 sedan is less expensive than an A4, leaving room in the budget to go for a higher-spec version — like the Inscription trim with 3.4 inches of extra rear legroom.

But here’s one A4 alternative that comes out of left field: the V60 wagon. The entry-level 240-hp version starts at $39,245 with plenty of standard kit. And while the A4 has generous trunk space of 13 cubic feet, it can’t compete with 43.8 cubic feet when the V60’s rear seats are folded down. Pet owners will also like the retractable dog net, which keeps hairy creatures safely to the rear of the car.

Photo by Volvo