Volvo S90 vs Audi A4 [2016-2020]

When Audi launched the brand-new A4 in the petrol variant last year we were really impressed by its all-round ability. Thanks to a more able chassis, the new generation A4 was much nicer to drive than its predecessor and the modern cabin with its ultra-crisp virtual cockpit system just blew us away. With the recent arrival of the diesel variant, the A4 now has a complete portfolio. Time for a full-fledged road test then, since there is no better way to judge its true potential than putting both the petrol and diesel versions through our rigorous testing regime. So we let the numbers decide just how good the new A4 really is.

Audi launched the A4 last year with much fan-fare. At that time, it only came in a petrol variant, but now they have also introduced a diesel variant and these are our first impressions of the new variant. Although we are quite familiar with the petrol A4, we shall still take you through the basics of what it’s all about.

The past few years have seen Audi slowly revamp most of its model range. Product planners systematically made their way through the line-up, launching the new Q7, revamped the Q3, A6 and A8 and they also added an entry-level bait in the form of the A3 sedan. Until now, they have essentially left the A4 to its own devices which has existed in our market for eight long years. A mild makeover four years back improved its looks but failed to address its primary shortcoming, of not being as good to drive as its rivals. But it turns out that the brand-new A4 represents Audi’s sterling effort to make up for lost ground and it promises to set new standards for its rivals to follow.