Editor’s note: You may also want to read Autotrader’s Audi A4 review for the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 model years.
The 2009 Audi A4 sedan introduces the fourth generation of the German automaker’s best-selling car. The entry-luxury 4-door sedan is stylish, nicely equipped and roomy, with good road manners that rival that of BMW’s 3 Series. A sport-wagon version of the fourth-generation A4 dubbed the Avant is also available, upping the sedan’s modest 12 cu ft. of trunk capacity to an SUV-like 50.5 cu ft. with the rear seat folded down. A convertible version of the A4 continues unchanged from 2008 on the previous-generation platform. Both sedan and wagon versions carry five passengers and offer a solid structure, supple multilink suspension and autobahn-worthy brakes.
Although front-wheel drive is offered in the base A4 sedan, the all-road, all-weather quattro all-wheel-drive feature sets Audi apart in the marketplace. The optional Audi drive-select system allows the driver to tailor throttle response, transmission shifts, steering response and shock-absorber damping to Dynamic, Comfort or Winter modes or adjust each individually. See the 2009 Audi A4 models for sale near you
What We Like
Excellent quattro all-wheel drive; good fit and finish; luxurious cabin; sporty ride and handling; good crash-test scores; solid feel; comfortable front seats
What We Don’t
Continuously variable automatic transmission in front-wheel-drive models; somewhat touchy Audi MMI infotainment system
Fuel Economy & Engine Specs
The 2009 A4 2.0T sedan is equipped with a direct-injected 2.0-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder turbo. It develops 211 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. Premium unleaded fuel is recommended but not required. Front-wheel-drive versions work through a continuously variable automatic transmission that simulates eight gear ratios. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the front-wheel-drive 2.0T returns 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. With quattro all-wheel drive, the automatic switches to a 6-speed Tiptronic transmission that’s EPA-rated at 21 mpg city/27 mpg hwy. There’s also a 2.0-liter quattro version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, rated at 22 mpg city/30 mpg hwy.
The A4 3.2 sedan features a direct-injected 3.2-liter 24-valve double-overhead-camshaft V6. It produces 265 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. A Tiptronic 6-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive are standard. The V6 is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city/23 mpg hwy.
Standard Features & Options
The 2009 Audi A4 is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims.
The Premium’s standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seat trim, power front seats, driver’s-seat adjustable lumbar, aluminum interior trim, a power sunroof, fog lamps, automatic climate control, cruise control, a leather-wrapped shift lever, a tilt-telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls, remote keyless entry, a split-folding rear seat, a 10-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with a 6.5-in display, SiriusXM radio, a multimedia interface, a trip computer, stability and traction control, an anti-lock brake system, dual front- and front-seat side-impact airbags, overhead airbags, power locks, power windows and power side mirrors.
Moving up to Premium Plus trim adds 18-in alloy wheels, the Bluetooth phone and iPod audio interface, the HomeLink system, a trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, automatic xenon self-leveling headlamps, heated front seats with driver’s-seat memory and auto-dimming mirrors.
The range-topping Prestige adds the 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, advanced key, side assist and a navigation system with a 7-in display.
Major options include the Audi drive-select system, rear-seat side airbags, adaptive cruise control, dynamic steering, sport suspension, sport seats and the S-line package, which brings 19-in alloys, summer tires, leather/Alcantara seat trim, a flat-bottom steering wheel, shift paddles, a black headliner, headlight washers and ground-effects exterior trim.
Pricing
The A4’s robust sales ensure a good supply of used examples. Demand is much higher for quattro all-wheel-drive examples, so expect to pay more for them than front-wheel-drive A4s. Because the cost of maintenance and repair for European vehicles tends to run higher than most, expect to pay a significant premium for lower-mileage used examples.
For a good idea of the 2009 A4’s price range, investigate the Kelley Blue Book used-car values at KBB.com. Also, search the Autotrader Classifieds to see what models are for sale in your area.
Recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the following recall for the 2009 A4:
The airbag-control units may corrode, and the airbags may not deploy in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to interior occupants.
Recall repairs are required by law, even if the vehicle is out of warranty. Your dealer can check to see if the repairs were performed, and if not, they’ll fix the car at no charge to you.
Safety Ratings & Warranties
The NHTSA gave the 2009 A4 5-star ratings across the board for frontal and side impacts, as well as for rollover performance.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 2009 A4 as a Top Safety Pick, with Good ratings for moderate-overlap front and side impacts, roof strength, head restraints and seats. However, tougher subsequent standards result in a Poor rating for the 2009 A4 in small-offset front impacts.
Audi of America sold the 2009 A4 with 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties and a 12-year/unlimited-distance corrosion-perforation warranty.
The 2009 A4 is too old to qualify for Audi’s certified pre-owned program, but for reference, Audi certified pre-owned vehicles must be less than 5 years old and have no more than 60,000 miles on the odometer. Every certified pre-owned Audi A4 undergoes a 300-point inspection. Those that pass receive a 2-year/50,000-mile limited warranty (it doesn’t cover audio or navigation systems), which takes effect when the original new-car warranty expires. Also included is a Carfax vehicle-history report and 24-hour roadside assistance. If you want a certified A4, consider a newer model.
Other Cars to Consider
2009 BMW 3 Series — The 3 Series sets the bar for entry-luxury sport sedans, synthesizing performance, handling, luxury and comfort like no other. Engine choices include two buttery-smooth 3.0-liter inline V6s, a naturally aspirated 230-hp version and a turbocharged 300-hp option. Both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions are offered, as is a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.
2009 Lexus IS — The Lexus IS is the luxury brand’s smallest and sportiest sedan, available with a weak 204-hp 2.5-liter V6 or a peppy 306-hp 3.5-liter V6. The back seat is a bit tight. Fit and finish are up to usual Lexus standards. It’s available with front- or all-wheel drive.
Autotrader’s Advice
For an entry-luxury sport sedan that can handle all types of roads and weather, it’s hard to beat the A4 quattro with all-wheel drive. While more thrifty, the front-drive A4 is less popular due to the unusual drive characteristics of its continuously variable transmission. Any A4 trim from Premium and Premium Plus to Prestige will do, as all are well-equipped. Much more important are condition and mileage, because European brands can be more costly to maintain and repair.
The 2009 A4 is too old to qualify for Audi certified pre-owned status, so look for lower-mileage examples that have seen obvious care. If possible, have a mechanic go over the A4 from nose to tail, and get a car-history report to root out cars with serious accident repairs or salvage titles. Make sure the Audi A4 you’re considering has had any applicable safety recalls performed by the factory-authorized dealer.
