gk1

Keeping in mind the 2009 A4 cab is still a B7 and the old 2.0T.

Hokie_Audi

Especially compared to the Japanese. I think CR calls it like they see it. Their subjective set of review benchmarks is different from the typical enthusiast, i.e. the Lotus Elise was dinged for not having cup holders relative to other cars in the same segment as I recall. The less subjective reliability data that's culled from their readership owner surveys have been pretty damning in the past for VAG (VW in particular). VAG has a deservedly awful reputation for quality. There's stuff on my A4 that's just head smacking stupid from a design for quality and/or maintainability standpoint. But she sure drives nice.

Shameless in Chicago

I like to hear engines. I like to feel them shake a little. I like auto transmissions to shift hard and with authority like a Turbo 400 with a high performance torque converter. I like steering heavier with less assist. I like resistance from the clutch pedal combined with a shifter that lets you know when you've entered the next gate.

I could go on. But now you know why I don't read CR or why I don't drive a Lexus.

When my daughter was barely 2, she'd hear my B5's Borla as I rolled down the street and go running to the window saying, "Daddy's home!"

Steve K - AVDG

Reading Consumer Reports is an acceptable method of objectively comparing one appliance to another [or one transportation appliance to another], but they don't often delve into why the product in question might be desirable.

From a purely objective standpoint, Lexus and Toyota are two of the best brands on the market today. If compared via features vs. price vs. reliability, they'll do well against anything in their respective class[es]. If you never intend to actually drive the car [or just plain don't care how it moves you], this becomes a fairly relevant comparison.

ex-quattro PETE

lol

ex-quattro PETE

I haven't heard any of the 2.0TFSI engines. My only experience is with the old 1.8T (AWM) engine back when I had a B5 manual. I thought that engine sounded good. I wouldn't call it noisy or coarse.

So, are these new engines worse-sounding than the old ones or is CR just being picky?

Anyone has first-hand experience with both?

SFV A4

The new 2.0T has not been made available to the US press. CR is in the US and they do not travel around to test their cars. They also make a lot of mistakes with their info. I have tracked their ratings for 25 years now.

Hal_TT::CBP

'03s TT 1.8L K04s... almost made me not need the V6 it was sooo much better from the buzziness of the 1.8L. Almost.

B8 one is supposed to be even better... I'm one of the wierdos that won't have a 4-banger in anything I have to drive a lot, no matter what the cost/performance delta.

SFV A4

CR was referring to the 2008 engine, not the 2009. See my post below.

Gettysburg

and they felt about as solid as they day I bought them. My dad owns a G35 coupe; which has half the miles of my A3(35K mi.) and it's a rattletrap. I was sitting in the back seat thinking this must have been what it was like to sit a top the Saturn V rocket(and not in a good way). The headliner was buzzing and the road noise coming from the rear wheels was unbearable.