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2018 Audi A4

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Class: Compact Cars
Body styles: 4dr Sedan 2.0, 4dr Sedan 2.0 Quattro, Allroad
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 190–252 hp
Transmission: automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Premium Gasoline
MPG (best): 31 combined · 27 city / 37 hwy
Length: 186.2–187 in
Curb weight: 3,450–3,825 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2018 compact car (27 MPG).
AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Audi A4 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 186 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,450 lb (4dr Sedan 2.0).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (27 city / 37 highway), 15% better than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2018

Lightest version 176 lb lighter

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 A4 →

Trims, performance & features

Engine190–252 hp2.0L 4-cyl

Transmissionautomatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

quattro Premium Plus, S Line quattro Progressiv (Canada)Premium Plus, S Line Progressiv (Canada)PremiumPremuim Plus

Safety & driver-assist features

Forward collision warningStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany · Neckarsulm, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 A4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr Sedan 2.0	186.2 in	71.3 in	55.1 in	111 in	61.8 / 61 in	3,450 lb	56/44
4dr Sedan 2.0 Quattro	186.2 in	71.3 in	55.1 in	111 in	61.8 / 61 in	3,627 lb	56/44
Allroad	187 in	72.4 in	58.7 in	111 in	62.2 / 61.8 in	3,825 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
A4 Ultra	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	Front-Wheel Drive	27 / 37 / 31	+15%	$2,650	284
A4 quattro	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	All-Wheel Drive	24 / 34 / 27	0%	$3,050	327
A4 quattro	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	All-Wheel Drive	24 / 33 / 27	0%	$3,050	327

7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

7/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27 MPG2018 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2018 Audi Allroad SW AWD	Not rated	Not rated	–★ / –★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Not rated	–

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2018 compact cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2018 Audi A4 (this car)	31 MPG	Not rated	4
2018 BMW 3 Series	36 MPG	★★★★★	0
2018 BMW 5 Series	30 MPG	Not rated	0
2018 Lexus IS	26 MPG	Not rated	1
2018 Tesla Model 3	310 mi	★★★★★	19
2018 Audi A6	28 MPG	★★★★★	2
2018 Tesla Model S	335 mi	Not rated	11

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V547000 · 145,337 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk: A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Nov 27, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V836000 · 12 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments · Oct 25, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V675000 · 31,323 vehicles

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
Risk: The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Audi A4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

54Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

4Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

1Injuries reported

12,290 miTypical mileage at failure

Unknown Or Other20

Electrical System19

Structure › Body7

Air Bags7

Service Brakes6

Engine6

Fuel/Propulsion System6

Power Train5

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Audi A4 buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 19 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Structure › Body — 7 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,290 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Audi A4. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other A4 years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2025 A4	29	187.4 in	Not rated	0	1
2024 A4	30	187.4 in	Not rated	0	6
2023 A4	28	187.4 in	Not rated	1	11
2022 A4	29	187.4 in	Not rated	3	7
2021 A4	28	187.4 in	Not rated	4	13
2020 A4	30	187.4 in	Not rated	3	158
2019 A4	30	186.2 in	Not rated	1	13
2017 A4	31	186.2 in	Not rated	6	87
2016 A4	27	185 in	Not rated	3	26
2015 A4	26	185.8 in	Not rated	4	43
2014 A4	26	185.8 in	Not rated	4	70
2013 A4	26	185 in	Not rated	4	90

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →