Is a New Audi A4 a Reliable Luxury Car?
The 2023 Audi A4 is a luxury sedan that combines style, performance, and advanced technology. As an affordable luxury sedan, the Audi A4 has mass appeal, but is it a reliable luxury car? It can be, and all it takes is the right maintenance.
A legendary turbocharged engine
Like many four-cylinder turbos under the Volkswagen umbrella, the 2023 Audi A4 is powered by the EA888 turbocharged engine. And despite some teething problems, this four-cylinder turbo has been through several revisions and now stands as one of the most reliable engines in the lineup.
The cast iron block is part of the reason for the Audi A4’s reliability. Aluminum can be corroded by old coolant, meaning engines made with the material typically fail at a much earlier point. However, the iron block in the Audi avoids this problem, making it a more robust setup overall.
By extension, this makes the Audi A4 a reliable luxury car as well, but that doesn’t mean maintenance can be ignored in these cars. Oil changes are key to keeping the Audi A4 running smoothly for the long term. Running these cars low on oil can result in camshaft sensor problems that require costly repairs.
In addition, the water pump can still be a problem with the Audi A4. That said, the current version is more reliable than previous iterations. Still, having the water pump replaced around 100,000 miles is a bit of preventative maintenance worth considering.
Dependable suspension components
Much like the engine, all it takes to keep the suspension of the Audi A4 reliable is routine maintenance. Built to withstand the rigors of Northern European driving, the underbody components of a modern Audi A4 can take a beating. For the most part, the biggest issues with these cars involve alignment problems. Fortunately, those are dealt with as part of the routine maintenance schedule.
Shocks and springs are typically good for well over 120,000 miles, though regional road conditions may narrow that window slightly. The frame comes from the factory with added rust coating, so it can better withstand salt and corrosion from winter driving.
The A4 shows less frequent maintenance needs
Aiding in the overall reliability of the Audi A4 is its lack of unscheduled repairs. According to RepairPal data, A4 owners average an unscheduled visit less than 0.4 times per year. Similar luxury cars are at the shop at an average of 0.6 times per year, meaning that the A4 is more reliable than its competition.
Better yet, the study shows average repair costs over the life of the vehicles, and an average occurrence of urgent repairs when compared to the competition.
A luxury car that goes the distance
Luxury cars get a bad reputation for expensive repairs, but the Audi A4 is reliable enough to buck this trend. It’s an excellent choice as a premium sedan with running costs that don’t break the bank. Overall, getting this car to 100,000 miles or more should be easy with routine maintenance.
