We drove a $54,000 Audi A4 and a $46,000 Acura TLX A-Spec to see which luxury sedan we liked better - here's the verdict

Apr 12, 2018, 00:08 IST

First up is the Audi A4. The Audi A4 starts at $36,000 while our top-spec Prestige model carries a starting price of $45,500. A heavy dose of optional goodies pushed our all-wheel-drive test car $54,275.

First up is the Audi A4. The Audi A4 starts at $36,000 while our top-spec Prestige model carries a starting price of $45,500. A heavy dose of optional goodies pushed our all-wheel-drive test car $54,275.

Styling-wise, the new A4 is elegantly understated. It's the latest evolution of the modern design language that has come to define the brand in recent years.

Up front, Audi's trademark hexagonal "Singleframe" grille has grown in magnitude to become even more prominent. It's flanked by a pair of Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lamps.

The rear end of the car is highlighted by a tastefully executed, integrated deck-lid spoiler along with LED taillights and dual exhausts.

While the exterior of the A4 may best be described as handsomely restrained in its execution, the cabin is a high-tech masterpiece.

In front of the driver is Audi's award-winning virtual cockpit digital information display. The 12.3-inch high-definition LCD is controlled via steering-wheel-mounted buttons located to the left of the Audi logo.

In front of the driver is Audi's award-winning virtual cockpit digital information display. The 12.3-inch high-definition LCD is controlled via steering-wheel-mounted buttons located to the left of the Audi logo.

The Virtual Cockpit is fully configurable and presents the driver with all of the requisite telemetry along with a massive navigation map and multimedia menus. Powered by an NVIDIA quad-core processor, the system's presentation is crisp, and the operation is seamless.

The Virtual Cockpit is fully configurable and presents the driver with all of the requisite telemetry along with a massive navigation map and multimedia menus. Powered by an NVIDIA quad-core processor, the system's presentation is crisp, and the operation is seamless.

The center stack of our test car features an optional 8.3-inch touchscreen running Audi's MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system. The A4 comes standard with a 7-inch screen.

The center screen can also be operated using Audi's trusty rotary controller with an integrated script pad along with a voice-command system designed to mimic the control logic of a smartphone.

The system also features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, 252 horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The A4 is also available with a 190-horsepower version of the same motor.

So, what's it like to drive?

Next up is the Acura TLX A-Spec.

Acura refreshed the TLX's styling in 2017. And the biggest change is a new front end that replaces the company's controversial "beak" design that defined Acura for the past decade. The new styling is interesting and a welcomed change, but far from beautiful.

Acura refreshed the TLX's styling in 2017. And the biggest change is a new front end that replaces the company's controversial "beak" design that defined Acura for the past decade. The new styling is interesting and a welcomed change, but far from beautiful.

The new A-Spec trim level also features special body trim and darkened accents as well as new 19-inch wheels. The A-Spec also comes with stickier wheels and performance-tuned suspension.

Out-back, the A-Spec receives new 4-inch dual exhausts, a decklid spoiler, and a diffuser.

Inside, the TLX A-Spec's performance treatment continues with well-bolstered sports seats as well as generous swaths of leather and Alcantara. The TLX is also loaded with tech.

In its mid-cycle refresh, Acura made significant upgrades to the TLX's infotainment system to give it great functionality and improved responsiveness. The TLX's infotainment system comprises two screens. An eight-inch top scree is controlled using a rotary dial and ...

In its mid-cycle refresh, Acura made significant upgrades to the TLX's infotainment system to give it great functionality and improved responsiveness. The TLX's infotainment system comprises two screens. An eight-inch top scree is controlled using a rotary dial and ...

... There's also a seven-inch touchscreen located in the heart of the center stack. According to Acura, the touchscreen is now 30% more responsive.

The system now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration which appears on the top screen. It's a rather elegant arraignment in that you still have access to Acura's infotainment system while using CarPlay or Android Auto.

The system now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration which appears on the top screen. It's a rather elegant arraignment in that you still have access to Acura's infotainment system while using CarPlay or Android Auto.

Our test car came equipped with a stout 290 horsepower, 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda/Acura's trick Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

Our test car came equipped with a stout 290 horsepower, 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda/Acura's trick Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

So, what's it like to drive?

Our verdict.

One more thing ...

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We drove a $54,000 Audi A4 and a $46,000 Acura TLX A-Spec to see which luxury sedan we liked better - here's the verdict

First up is the Audi A4. The Audi A4 starts at $36,000 while our top-spec Prestige model carries a starting price of $45,500. A heavy dose of optional goodies pushed our all-wheel-drive test car $54,275.

Styling-wise, the new A4 is elegantly understated. It's the latest evolution of the modern design language that has come to define the brand in recent years.

Up front, Audi's trademark hexagonal "Singleframe" grille has grown in magnitude to become even more prominent. It's flanked by a pair of Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lamps.

The rear end of the car is highlighted by a tastefully executed, integrated deck-lid spoiler along with LED taillights and dual exhausts.

While the exterior of the A4 may best be described as handsomely restrained in its execution, the cabin is a high-tech masterpiece.

In front of the driver is Audi's award-winning virtual cockpit digital information display. The 12.3-inch high-definition LCD is controlled via steering-wheel-mounted buttons located to the left of the Audi logo.

The Virtual Cockpit is fully configurable and presents the driver with all of the requisite telemetry along with a massive navigation map and multimedia menus. Powered by an NVIDIA quad-core processor, the system's presentation is crisp, and the operation is seamless.

The center stack of our test car features an optional 8.3-inch touchscreen running Audi's MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system. The A4 comes standard with a 7-inch screen.

The center screen can also be operated using Audi's trusty rotary controller with an integrated script pad along with a voice-command system designed to mimic the control logic of a smartphone.

The system also features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

Under the hood is a 2.0-liter, 252 horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The A4 is also available with a 190-horsepower version of the same motor.

So, what's it like to drive?

Next up is the Acura TLX A-Spec.

Acura refreshed the TLX's styling in 2017. And the biggest change is a new front end that replaces the company's controversial "beak" design that defined Acura for the past decade. The new styling is interesting and a welcomed change, but far from beautiful.

The new A-Spec trim level also features special body trim and darkened accents as well as new 19-inch wheels. The A-Spec also comes with stickier wheels and performance-tuned suspension.

Out-back, the A-Spec receives new 4-inch dual exhausts, a decklid spoiler, and a diffuser.

Inside, the TLX A-Spec's performance treatment continues with well-bolstered sports seats as well as generous swaths of leather and Alcantara. The TLX is also loaded with tech.

In its mid-cycle refresh, Acura made significant upgrades to the TLX's infotainment system to give it great functionality and improved responsiveness. The TLX's infotainment system comprises two screens. An eight-inch top scree is controlled using a rotary dial and ...

... There's also a seven-inch touchscreen located in the heart of the center stack. According to Acura, the touchscreen is now 30% more responsive.

The system now features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration which appears on the top screen. It's a rather elegant arraignment in that you still have access to Acura's infotainment system while using CarPlay or Android Auto.

Our test car came equipped with a stout 290 horsepower, 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V6 engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda/Acura's trick Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

So, what's it like to drive?

Our verdict.

One more thing ...