MM Full-Review: 2017 Audi A4
03-22-16, 11:04 AM
#31
Lead Lap
Korean style grille? That's the grille Audi pioneered.
03-22-16, 11:40 AM
#32
Lexus Champion
The original, large Audi grille (as seen in the picture of the 2016 model mmarshall posted above) has evolved, with more, heavy chrome surrounds, especially where it joins the headlights. IMO, this evolution looks a lot like Hyundai's current grilles.
03-22-16, 11:43 AM
#33
Lexus Champion
03-22-16, 11:46 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
The new Audi grilles look good. Nothing ugly about them.
03-22-16, 12:20 PM
#35
Lead Lap
03-22-16, 07:38 PM
#36
It's sad that it's so hard to tell each model apart without having them side by side next to each other. Nice looking car, but as nice as the interior is, it is the exterior you see first everytime before getting into the car. Wish all the german car makers would differentiate it somehow. If I just spent $100k on a S class or A8, the last thing I want is some kid in an A3 to have the exact same styling as me driving down the road.
03-22-16, 08:19 PM
#37
Lexus Champion
The A4 will do very well in its segment. Perception often trails facts. CR says its owners think the Audis are coming up in reliability. That's a huge step. But you can often cross reference and fact check what is reliable or not. CR is one benchmark, JD Power is another.
Audi had to something to mitigate the money pit reputation. Grills are a subjective thing. But if you're picking winners or losers, Audi wins and Lexus takes the draw.
There is always a thing about how cars age in styling terms. The Germans usually age gracefully because they take careful steps on styling, but do bold steps on tech/innovation. This new A4 looks good. They could have done something outrageous and that would have had their customers running from the brand.
Audi had to something to mitigate the money pit reputation. Grills are a subjective thing. But if you're picking winners or losers, Audi wins and Lexus takes the draw.
There is always a thing about how cars age in styling terms. The Germans usually age gracefully because they take careful steps on styling, but do bold steps on tech/innovation. This new A4 looks good. They could have done something outrageous and that would have had their customers running from the brand.
03-22-16, 08:26 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
Most of the Lexus models look alike. The ES, GX, and LS all look alike. And I can't tell a GX from the new LX these days.
03-23-16, 06:31 AM
#39
Pole Position
Yes it is sad. Sure you have a point, but my point is, there should be a lot more exterior distinction between the various models as the price point increases. 1 sausage in many sizes approach gets old quick.
03-23-16, 06:49 AM
#40
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The A4 will do very well in its segment. Perception often trails facts. CR says its owners think the Audis are coming up in reliability. That's a huge step. But you can often cross reference and fact check what is reliable or not. CR is one benchmark, JD Power is another.
Audi had to something to mitigate the money pit reputation. Grills are a subjective thing. But if you're picking winners or losers, Audi wins and Lexus takes the draw.
Audi seems to be making the necessary improvements under the skin, where it belongs.
There is always a thing about how cars age in styling terms. The Germans usually age gracefully because they take careful steps on styling, but do bold steps on tech/innovation. This new A4 looks good. They could have done something outrageous and that would have had their customers running from the brand.
03-23-16, 07:23 PM
#41
Lexus Champion
From what I have seen (and also from my own experience) CR's results are more accurate than Power's. CR is more specific on what they consider "problems" and owner dissatisfaction. Power has a bunch of different categories that often overlap and/or contradict each other.
True, but you don't make vehicles more reliable by simply tacking on big, Suck-'Em-Up grilles. Reliability originates under the skin, not on it. Audi seems to be making the necessary improvements under the skin, where it belongs.
Audi seems to be making the necessary improvements under the skin, where it belongs.
I myself consider the newest Lexus spindle-grilles to be outrageous, but they are still selling.
Lexus had to start from scratch. Hard to say if it's going to get the same acceptance.
It will be interesting to see how the current year Audi's age. Last year it was pretty amazing to see Audi touting its reliability ratings in its ads. Significant.
03-23-16, 07:34 PM
#42
I think Audi designs, being conservative, have aged quite well over the years. This car is 13 years old and IMO it is still quite attractive. I wouldn't mind seeing it in my garage every day.
03-23-16, 08:56 PM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
03-23-16, 10:11 PM
#45
Lexus Test Driver
One of the wildest drives I've ever experienced was in that RS4 through the streets of Hollywood. I don't know how Audi got away with it, but they had invited a select group of people to test out the new Q7 and the RS4 was also available to ride along in. There we went through the hills of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, with a professional race car driver behind the wheel. And he was driving like he was in competition. The car sounded like a Corvette, and stuck to corners like glue. Somehow, we got through the day without any accidents. I guess maybe they contacted the city prior, as no race car driver got any tickets either. Only in Hollywood!