HIGHWAY SAFETY RESEARCH & COMMUNICATIONS
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Audi A4

2005-08 models built after October 2004

SIDE IMPACT TEST WITH STANDARD BUT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SIDE AIRBAGS

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

  Injury measures Head protection Structure/safety cage
Head/neck Torso Pelvis/leg
Driver Good Good Good Good Acceptable
Rear passenger Good Good Good Good

Important: Side impact crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle type and weight categories.

Good Good Acceptable Acceptable Marginal Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Audi A4 was redesigned for the 2002 model year. The car was reengineered and restyled during the 2005 model year so that 2005 models manufactured after October 2004 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Occupant protection in frontal crashes was not affected for 2002 and later A4 models manufactured after February 2002. (Note: Information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door. The reengineered A4 can also be identified by a much larger grille compared with the earlier version.)

The side impact crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the A4, known as the A4 Avant, beginning with 2005 models manufactured after October 2004.

Injury measures:

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Rear passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection:

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Rear passenger — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

  • View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.
  • View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.
  • Action shot taken during the side impact crash test showing the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side curtain airbag.
  • Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy's head was protected by the side airbag.

Additional features:

  • Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags (standard); rear seat-mounted torso airbags (optional)
  • Electronic stability control
  • Antilock brakes
  • Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 2005 Audi A4 2.0T quattro 4-door 4wd
  • Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
  • Weight: 3,675 lbs.
  • Side airbags: standard front and rear head curtain airbags and standard front seat-mounted torso airbags
  • Wheelbase: 104 in.
  • Length: 181 in.
  • Width: 70 in.
  • Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
  • EPA ratings: 22 mpg city | 30 mpg highway

See all test results for Audi A4

Last updated: September 4, 2008

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