photo: Courtesy Audi
Eco Challengers: AWD Compact Sports Sedan
AWD COMPACT SPORTS SEDAN
Audi A4 2.0T Quattro ($32,700) vs. BMW 328xi ($36,125)
The latest version of the Audi A4 gets two noteworthy improvements: It’s finally larger inside, meaning that both front- and rear-seat passengers enjoy more legroom and headroom; and it now has a trunk pass-through that’s very wide, meaning that those not partial to roof racks* can still fit fat skis or snowboards inside the car. On the handling front, the A4 is the first small luxury sedan to get truly great, fully adaptive suspension, engine, and steering controls. Called Audi Drive Select, this feature has a simple menu to input quicker or more sedate settings for transmission shift points, steering feel, and suspension stiffness. Of course the A4 comes with fantastic Quattro AWD, but getting that extra traction doesn’t mean you’ll get dinged on fuel economy — the new A4 averages 23 mpg combined, 10 percent better than the outgoing version. All these features make it a better bet than the BMW 328xi, which, though terrific, is more expensive, less roomy, and doesn’t come with a customizable drive/suspension system. The BMW is faster and has a more satisfying automatic gearbox, but it’s also thirstier, with a combined average of 20 mpg. Its carbon footprint is slightly worse too: 9.2 as opposed to 8 for the Audi, making the latter about 12 percent cleaner.
* Note to every car owner: Roof racks not only add cabin noise, they rob a car's fuel efficiency with extra drag.
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