Our 2009 Audi A4 wagon is powered by the standard 211 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, 6-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. The EPA rates it at 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
So far our best recoreded mileage was an all highway run from LA to Las Vegas at 27 mpg. Although most fillups are averaging in the 21-23 mpg range, we have had more than a few below 19 mpg, including one at a very thirsty 16.9 mpg. Overall we're averaging 21.5 mpg during the cars first 4,000 miles.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 3,989 miles
louiswei says:
02:17 PM, 12/16/08
300+hp V6-like FE but is at around 100hp less.
Nice...
1speedbike says:
02:30 PM, 12/16/08
My 135i is averaging 21.5 mpg with mostly suburban stop-go driving. 26-28 mpg on the highways at reasonable speeds. Yet like louiswei said.. 100 hp less.
billt9 says:
02:30 PM, 12/16/08
It's All-wheel drive.
This is the expected fuel economy, if not better than average.
What does a 300 hp AWD get...
The Cadillac CTS AWD is rated at 17/26 mpg.
The G37x is 18/25 mpg.
The 335i xDrive is 17/25 mpg.
AWD haters swarming in! Everyone should drive a FWD vehicle!
billt9 says:
02:33 PM, 12/16/08
That's right, instead of protesting big SUVs, we should all protest AWD vehicles.
Damn those AWD gas guzzlers.
Those who can't drive with 2 wheel drive should move to the United Emirates or Congo, somewhere where they belong!
tmanz says:
02:41 PM, 12/16/08
"My 135i is averaging 21.5 mpg with mostly suburban stop-go driving. 26-28 mpg on the highways at reasonable speeds. Yet like louiswei said.. 100 hp less."
100 hp less and 500 lbs more
billt9 says:
02:48 PM, 12/16/08
As opposed to the above vehicles which demonstrate the norm,
here's some lower end perspective...
Ford Fusion AWD 221 hp: 17/25 mpg
Ford Taurus AWD 263 hp: 17/24 mpg.
Chrysler Sebring FWD 235 hp: 16/27 mpg
MS3lvr92 says:
03:07 PM, 12/16/08
"As opposed to the above vehicles which demonstrate the norm,
here's some lower end perspective...
Ford Fusion AWD 221 hp: 17/25 mpg"
-well the current Fusions as well as the last gen... and current gen Mazda 6s are about as innefficient as they get. I wouldn't be surprised if that Fusion actually averaged around its city number in real world driving. The FWD gets 17/25 as well (or at least the 6 does).
MS3lvr92 says:
03:09 PM, 12/16/08
oops i meant... "well the current Fusions, and the new gen and old gen Mazda 6s..."
empowah says:
04:16 PM, 12/16/08
EPA 21/27 mpg isn't bad. Audi actually has the most fuel-efficient AWD car.*
*Based on model year 2009 vehicles available for sale in the US equipped with automatic transmissions. Excludes hybrids. Other vehicles may also hold the same claim. Based on 2009 Audi A3 2.0T quattro with an EPA estimated 21/28 mpg. 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro has EPA estimates of 21/27 mpg. Actual mileage may vary.
adavis2493 says:
05:03 PM, 12/16/08
Perhaps it is still in the breaking in period?
MS3lvr92 says:
07:48 PM, 12/16/08
After it's broken in does that really increase fuel economy? I've never gotten a straightforward answer for that. My Mazdaspeed 3 is averaging right around 23 MPG right now with a good 35/65 split between highway/city driving at around 1,800 miles; and I think that's really high. So could it be that the fuel economy could increase even more as it's broken in?
louiswei says:
08:22 PM, 12/16/08
"After it's broken in does that really increase fuel economy?"
I am no expert in this so I can only speak from my personal experience:
No.
1487 says:
08:24 AM, 12/17/08
you arent going to do much better with AWD. Just one reason why I would never get AWD on my vehicle. The highway number isnt all that great for a four cylinder engine, even with AWD. BTW, unlike the Fusion and Taurus this car needs premium.
firstwagon says:
05:59 PM, 12/17/08
I average 24mpg (winter), 26 mpg (summer) and a best hwy mileage of 32 mpg with my all wheel drive Legacy wagon.
AWD doesn't hurt that much, at least not compared to driving style.
And everytime it snows it's worth every penny.