The A4 is Audi’s feisty and adaptable mainstay, offering a mixture of style and essence that keeps it extremely competitive within its class. It is available in either a sedan or wagon (Avant) body style, both with Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive system; FrontTrak front-wheel drive is also offered on the sedan.

Due to an extensive redesign last model year, the Audi A4 is carried over with little changes for 2010. An innovative Driver Assist package, including blind spot sensor and rear backup camera, is available for quattro models. In addition, the Cabriolet body style has been discontinued. The Cabriolet convertible is redesigned and is sold as part of Audi’s A5 lineup.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2010 Audi A4 is a four-door compact luxury vehicle available in three body styles: sedan, and wagon (Avant). The base A4 trim level is the sedan-only 2.0T FrontTrak, which comes with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Next up is the AWD 2.0T Quattro, which is available in all body styles. The 3.2 Quattro trim is limited to the sedan.

Standard features on sedans and wagons are clustered into three packages — Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige — that can be specified across the lineup except for the base Premium package, which is unavailable with the 3.2-liter Quattro. Premium models include 17-inch wheels, foglamps, a sunroof, air-conditioning, power front seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, a split-folding rear seat, Audi’s MMI system and a 10-speaker CD audio system with a subwoofer, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.

The Premium Plus adds bi-xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, auto-dimming side and rearview mirrors, Bluetooth phone connectivity, three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, an iPod jack and a six-CD changer. The Prestige rolls on 18-inch wheels and adds rear park distance control, keyless ignition and entry, a lane-change warning system and an upgraded 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The optional Sport package firms up handling (the S-line package for Prestige models is essentially an upscale Sport package). Other options include a navigation system with a back-up camera, adaptive cruise control, the Drive Select adjustable suspension system, rear-seat side airbags and a choice of wood trims.

Powertrains and Performance

Both the sedan and wagon continue to offer Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive, and some versions of the sedan are available with front-wheel drive. Sedans and Avants come as the 2.0T and feature a turbocharged 211-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The 3.2 quattro is a sedan only and has a 265-hp 3.2-liter V6. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard on front-drive 2.0Ts. 2.0T quattro models are available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. 3.2 quattros are automatic only. S4 is powered by a 333-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic.

Safety

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, rear side airbags, and curtain side airbags.

Interior Design and Special Features

The build excellence of the new A4’s cabin mostly lives up to Audi’s desirable reputation in this area. Smooth leather surfaces and ample soft-touch dashboard material convey an upscale feel. Small touches, like ambient lighting for passengers underneath the driver seat, add to the premium feel.

Other available features include a navigation system; Audi Drive Select, which allows the driver to customize steering and suspension settings; blind-spot alert; keyless entry and engine start; a wireless cell phone link; and a rearview camera.