New-car shoppers are often told that buying a mainstream sedan is the sensible choice. Models in this segment offer strong reliability, good fuel economy, and plenty of practicality for everyday driving. However, rising vehicle prices have created an interesting situation where some lightly used luxury cars now cost the same as brand-new mainstream alternatives, opening the door to a much more premium ownership experience without stretching your budget.

Depreciation is one of the biggest advantages available to savvy used-car buyers. Luxury vehicles tend to lose value far faster than their mainstream counterparts during their first few years on the road, even when they remain modern, well-equipped, and highly desirable. As a result, buyers willing to shop the used market can often step into a vehicle that originally cost tens of thousands more than a typical family sedan for roughly the same amount of money.

That reality makes one compact German luxury sedan particularly compelling. For the price of a brand-new commuter car, buyers can get a refined sports sedan with premium materials, advanced technology, all-wheel drive, and driving dynamics that feel genuinely special. It serves as a reminder that value isn’t always about buying new—sometimes the smartest deal is finding a luxury car after someone else has absorbed the depreciation.

A 3-year-old Audi A4 can be had for less than a new Toyota Camry

A plush and sporty sedan at a mainstream price

The Toyota Camry is a solid sedan that will get you from A to B without any complaints, but something that it lacks deeply is character. If you’re after something a little more interesting, the used market is the place to go. For less than the price of a new Camry, you could instead opt for a sleek sports sedan with a plush interior that puts the Toyota’s cabin to shame. The 2023 Audi A4 is one of the best value buys out there right now.

2023 Audi A4 trims and pricing

If you had bought a 2023 Audi A4 when it was new, you would have spent between $41,395 and $52,395 to start, depending on which trim level you opted for. German cars like this, however, are hit by some pretty steep depreciation in their first couple of years on the market. While this is less than ideal for the first owner, buyers looking to scoop up a used model save themselves thousands of dollars. Comparatively, a brand new Toyota Camry starts at $29,300, which is almost $2,000 more expensive than the base 2023 A4.

Of the available trims, we think that opting for a Premium Plus S-Line model is the way to go. It comes with a ton of desirable features, including a customizable digital gauge cluster, power-adjustable seats with a memory function, a wireless charging pad, keyless entry, and more. The S-Line model also comes equipped with a more powerful powertrain than the non-S-Line models, which helps it perform like a sports sedan should.

Audi’s compact sports sedan features a luxurious interior loaded with tech

The Camry is good, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the A4

Mainstream cars have become surprisingly good over the last couple of years, and sedans like the Camry prove it. The tech and comfort features that you get make these affordable models feel more premium than they used to be. That being said, they still aren’t able to compete with genuine luxury models like the Audi A4. Despite being three years old, the German sedan features an upscale interior with every modern feature that you could possibly hope for.

Interior dimensions and comfort

Being a midsize sedan, the Camry is the more practical choice compared to the A4. That being said, there is enough room in the Audi to comfortably four full-grown adults. Where the Audi struggles is its cargo hold, which is small for its class, though there is still enough room for a couple of suitcases or a grocery haul. We do appreciate the 40/20/40 split that you get from the rear seats, which allows for some versatility when hauling longer items.

While opting for the A4 means that sacrifices are made in the way of practicality, Audi’s little sports sedan more than makes up for it when it comes to comfort. There is a fantastic balance between function and form here. High quality materials cover every surface, with build quality feeling exceptional. You get a ton of standard luxuries as well, including heated, power-adjustable leather seats, a power-operated sunroof, and tri-zone automatic climate control.

Infotainment and technology

Every A4 comes equipped with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen which sits on top of the dashboard. Graphics are crisp and the system is easy to navigate. We appreciate that the Audi features a set of physical buttons and dials for the climate control system underneath the infotainment screen. Every model also gets Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which is the German brand’s way of saying you get a customizable digital gauge display.

All the most desirable tech features are on offer here, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You get two USB ports up front, and a wireless smartphone charging pad is available. A 10-speaker sound system is standard, and will satisfy most buyers, but audiophiles will want to look for a model equipped with the optional 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.

The 2023 A4 features a fine blend of comfort and entertainment

As engaging to drive as it is plush

Credit: Audi

The A4 may look like a fairly unassuming sedan, but under that facade sits a machine that is ready to go at a moments notice. While it might not be quite as playful as some of its rivals, like the BMW 330i, the A4 is still a ton of fun and delivers sharp performance that is guaranteed to impress. Dial it back, though, and it cruises more comfortably than you’d expect.

2023 Audi A4 performance and efficiency

Base Trim Engine

2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

7-Speed Automatic

Base Trim Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

201 hp

Base Trim Torque

236 lb-ft @ 1450 rpm

Fuel Economy

24/33 MPG

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

24/33 MPG

Make

Audi

Model

A4 Sedan

Every 2023 A4 comes fitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In the non-S-Line models you get the 40 TFSI powertrain, which puts down a fairly humble 201 horsepower. S-Line models, however, get the 45 TFSI, which makes a more tantalizing 261 horses. Regardless of which model you go for, you get a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and one of the best all-wheel drive systems on the market.

We would definitely go for the S-Line 45, which is capable of rocketing to 60 miles per hour in as little as 4.8 seconds. This is because the extra power you get compliments the rest of the sedan so well. It handles fantastically well, and it does so without compromising the ride quality. Its steering is also exceptionally impressive, with it feeling light and effortless when cruising at low speeds but loading up well when you push it along twisty back roads.

A sleek luxury sports sedan for the price of a mundane cruiser

If you’re on a tight budget and looking to maximize the amount of car you can get for your money, the used market is a fantastic place. Cars from brands like Audi face steep depreciation in their first couple of years on the road, meaning that you can find well-cared-for examples of sedans like the A4 for an unbelievably low price. Instead of something boring, like the Toyota Camry, you can spend the same amount of money getting something that will put a smile on your face.