Audi A4 saloon (2011-2015) - MPG, running costs & CO2
Great range of efficient petrol and diesel engines
Ultra models offer the cheapest running costs in the Audi line-up. The A4 Ultra is a new addition to the range that competes with the BMW 3 Series EfficientDynamics and Mercedes C-Class BlueTEC.
The A4 Ultra can return 67.3mpg and has low CO2 emission of 109g/km, so you’ll pay £20 a year in road tax. That’s despite it being more powerful than the basic diesel model. If you want more power, Audi also offers a big 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine. It loses out to the Ultra for running costs – fuel economy drops to just under 50mpg, while road tax is £145 a year – but power jumps by 81bhp, for easy overtakes and less engine noise on the motorway.
The petrol range is similarly varied. Buyers can choose from a basic 1.8-litre four-cylinder, right up to the huge 4.2-litre V8 in the RS4 Avant. The former can return fuel economy of 43.5mpg and has CO2 emissions of 151g/km for annual road tax of £180. Costs increase significantly for the V8 model, with fuel economy dropping to an eye-watering 26.4mpg. The S4 is nearly as quick, but returns almost 10mpg more.
Insurance group
Insurance costs for the RS4 are also sky-high, as it sits in group 41 – 22 groups above the basic 1.8-litre petrol, which is the cheapest model in the range to insure. Our pick of the range – the Ultra diesel – qualifies for group 22 insurance.
Warranty
The three-year/60,000-mile warranty that comes with every new Audi is pretty average and looks poor next to the seven-year/100,000-mile warranty you get with significantly cheaper Kias. Even BMW offers better cover, with a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty that will tempt high-mileage drivers. You can extend the A4’s warranty to four years/75,000 miles for £385 or five years/90,000 miles for £905.
Servicing
The Audi A4 needs an minor service after 10,000 miles and a major service after 20,000 miles. This costs of £159 and £309 respectively, rising to £189 and £375 for cars fitted with engines bigger than 2.0 litres. Audi also offers fixed prices for wear-and-tear items and regular maintenance work – including a cambelt change for £449 and an automatic gearbox oil change for £169.
