Archived model-year dossier
2021 Audi A4
The 2021 Audi A4 makes wireless Apple CarPlay new, adds an integrated toll-road transponder and makes lane-departure warning standard, with a 12-volt mild hybrid system and Virtual Cockpit gauges. NHTSA lists four recalls and 12 complaints. Used ones start at $19,700 per Kelley Blue Book, and EPA rates it 26 to 28 mpg.
Configurations3
Model/option labels3
Combined efficiency26–28 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers5
What changed on the 2021 Audi A4
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says wireless Apple CarPlay capability is new for 2021, as is an integrated toll-road transponder, and lane-departure warning is now standard, with Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display, a 12-volt hybrid system and a host of driver-assistance features.
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) lists ratings of 24/31 to 25/34 mpg and puts used 2021 A4s at a Fair Purchase Price of $19,700 for the 40 TFSI Premium. EPA rates the 2021 A4 at 26 to 28 mpg combined and $2,750 to $3,000 a year in fuel, all with all-wheel drive.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2021 A4. 21V606000 covers rear seat belt retractors across several Volkswagen and Audi models, 22V034000 covers tires, 21V295000 covers a non-powered rear axle assembly, and 22V742000 covers a rearview display issue.
Owners have filed 12 complaints: electrical system, unknown or other and forward collision avoidance with 3 each, and power train, lane departure and suspension with 2 each. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) and CarFactBase (opens in a new tab) list the record, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.
2021 A4 against the 3 Series, C-Class, S60 and G70
The BMW 3 Series lists 25 to 30 mpg combined at $2,600 to $3,100, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 20 to 27 at $2,850 to $3,900, the Volvo S60 25 to 30 at $2,600 to $3,100, and the Genesis G70 20 to 25 at $3,100 to $3,900. The A4 sits in the middle of the group.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2021 Audi A4: 6 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | 0–60 mph | Top speed | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 TFSI Premium | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 201 | 236 | 6.3 s | 130 mph | 25 / 34 / 28 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| S line 45 TFSI Prestige | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 261 | 273 | 5.2 s | 130 mph | 24 / 31 / 27 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| 40 TFSI Premium Plus | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 201 | 236 | 6.3 s | 130 mph | 25 / 34 / 28 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| S line 45 TFSI Premium | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 261 | 273 | 5.2 s | 130 mph | 24 / 31 / 27 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 261 | 273 | 5.2 s | 130 mph | 24 / 31 / 27 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| 40 TFSI Prestige | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (MHEV, Turbo) | Automatic, 7-Spd S tronic Dual-Clutch | AWD | 201 | 236 | 6.3 s | 130 mph | 25 / 34 / 28 mpg | 5 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 TFSI Premium | 3,682 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40HR18 |
| S line 45 TFSI Prestige | 3,726 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40YR18 |
| 40 TFSI Premium Plus | 3,682 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40HR18 |
| S line 45 TFSI Premium | 3,726 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40YR18 |
| S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus | 3,726 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40YR18 |
| 40 TFSI Prestige | 3,682 lb | 187.5 in | 56.2 in | 111 in | 38.1 ft | 15.3 gal | 37.3 in | 41.3 in | P245/40HR18 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2021 Audi A4 trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | 40 TFSI Premium | S line 45 TFSI Prestige | 40 TFSI Premium Plus | S line 45 TFSI Premium | S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus | 40 TFSI Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | ||||||
| Anti-theft alarm | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Top-view camera | – | Std | Std | – | Std | Std |
| Front and rear parking sensors | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Rear parking sensors | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | ||||||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | – | Std | Opt | – | Opt | Std |
| Navigation system | – | Std | Opt | – | Opt | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | Std | Opt | – | Opt | Std |
| Satellite radio | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | ||||||
| Heated front seats | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated rear seats | – | Std | – | – | – | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Heated mirrors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | ||||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Roof rails | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Power-folding mirrors | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Remote liftgate or trunk release | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | Opt | Std | Std | Opt | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | – | – | Std | – | – |
| Integrated garage-door opener | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Dual-clutch automatic transmission | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
3 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43261A4 allroad quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild HybridHybrid | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 24 | 30 | 26 | N/A |
| 43342A4 quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild HybridHybrid | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 25 | 34 | 28 | N/A |
| 43239A4 S line quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild HybridHybrid | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 24 | 31 | 27 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
5 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2021 Audi A4 versus the 2020 Audi A4?
Model year
Against the 2020 Audi A4: Model/option labels added: A4 S line quattro. Model/option labels no longer listed: A4. Engine descriptions added: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Mild Hybrid. Engine descriptions no longer listed: 2L 4-cyl SIDI. Drive designations no longer listed: Front-Wheel Drive. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 28.0 to 27.0 MPG/MPGe. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 3 for the 2020 to 4 for the 2021.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02How quickly does the 2021 Audi A4 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph?
Performance
The 2021 Audi A4's 0-60 mph time is 5.2 seconds on the S line 45 TFSI Prestige, S line 45 TFSI Premium and S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus and 6.3 seconds on the 40 TFSI Premium, 40 TFSI Premium Plus and 40 TFSI Prestige. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q03How do the 2021 Audi A4 trims differ from one another?
Trims
The S line 45 TFSI Prestige has 261 hp against 201 and an anti-theft alarm, blind-spot alert, front and rear parking sensors and 11 more as standard equipment over the 40 TFSI Premium. The 40 TFSI Premium Plus has 201 hp against 261 over the S line 45 TFSI Prestige. The S line 45 TFSI Premium has 261 hp against 201 and cruise control as standard equipment over the 40 TFSI Premium Plus. The S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus has an anti-theft alarm, blind-spot alert, front and rear parking sensors and 7 more as standard equipment over the S line 45 TFSI Premium. The 40 TFSI Prestige has 201 hp against 261 and heated rear seats, built-in internet access, a navigation system and a premium audio system as standard equipment over the S line 45 TFSI Premium Plus.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04What is the 2021 Audi A4's top speed?
Performance
The 2021 Audi A4's top speed is 130 mph on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05What size wheels does the 2021 Audi A4 have?
Wheels and tires
The 2021 Audi A4's wheel diameter is 18 inches on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2020 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2021 Audi A4.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Audi A4 across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Seasonal and storageVehicle suspected of a lightning strikeStop driving →Warning lightsAirbag or SRS warning lightSoon →Starting and chargingEngine starts and immediately diesDepends →Engine and coolingEngine loses power during accelerationSoon →Transmission and drivetrainWhine or howl from a differentialSoon →Brakes, tires and steeringWhy tire pressure drops in cold weatherRoutine →