Buy the Alfa and you’ll never look back. I sold my 2015 A4 to buy my Giulia. The A4 was a nice ride, but I never went looking for excuses to just go out and drive like I do with the Alfa. So much more a drivers car, there is really no comparison. 14 months in and not one regret.

 

Depends what you like. If you like the boredom of a front wheel drive biased Quattro system, the vague steering wheel feeling and a mediocre DSG transmission, by all means get the A4.

However, if you enjoy a car with a perfectly balanced chassis, rear wheel biased traction, a razor sharp steering and a mind reader German built but Italian tuned shifter, then you need a Giulia.

La meccanica delle emozioni is not just a slogan.

 

Audi Quattro is not a rear biased AWD, it is permanent rear biased AWD (40:60)

There is a new front based version of Quattro that is more similar to VW 4Motion but that is not available in US A4 or S4...A3 and S3 have transversly mounted engines and have the third version of Quattro which is similar to Giulia except that it is FWD first before lack of traction kicks in power to rear

Biggest Audi’s problem is balance, engine is mounted entirely in front of front axle, that is even more problematic in S4 with heavier engine....it has consequentially lots more space and much larger trunk plus it is in B9 iteration about 4 inches longer than Giulia

It is perfect hwy cruiser and has superb tech if that is what floats ones boat but will push and understeer all day and twice on sunday, it is do much heavier kn front that has much narrower track in the back but it stil understeers at slightest corner

Shortly, A4 is a sales rep compromise car,Giulia is a compromise that makes for fantastic fun on curvy roads

 

I gotta tell you.... I'm torn.

The A4 is so quiet, so comfortable, so high techy. But the Alfa is so unique, so fun, sporty.

What do I do???

You assess your priorities.

 

We owned an A4 Quatro a few years back. It was a lease and my wife drove it mostly. Don't recall the model year (around 2004 ish) but this car was quite noisy when the Turbo kicked in and felt a bit unrefined (Apparently that has been resolved in the newer models). She grew to dislike the rather firm ride (which I grew to like...). The next vehicle for her was a slightly used BMW X3 which she like a lot better, then a leased 2016 Mercedes CLA which she loves as it feels very refined and has been 100% reliable apart from a recall.

After a rather poor dealer experience when we had the A4, we never considered Audi's again. But as Chipshot noted - you assess your priorities. After all you will be the person living with it and enjoying it. Don't be disturbed by any doubt's about reliability, I think Alfa is on par (or better) than Audi these days.

Good luck with whatever you decide upon and please let us know!!

 

Also, IMO your not sacrificing anything in terms of ride/driving comfort. The only advantage I see in the A4 is the technology. I’d rather have the Alfa and a video game if I felt tech deprived.

 

Try the giulia in N mode. I find it very comfortable.

 

I suggest you get the better car.

 

The A4 is bland (like all German cars). Looks like every other Audi. Be unique and get the most beautiful car!

 

Did you pose the same question on the Audi forum? Not thinking you’re going to find many Audi votes here!

 

But on the Audi forum they are going to warn that Alfa Giulia needs 80% of the repairs of the Audi A4, so you can't trust it.

 

I was shopping used Lexus, BWM, and Audi last year and landed on a new Kia Stinger based on tech, performance, and value. Of the luxury options, Audi would have been my best bet for tech but there weren't any used available around me with options/mileage that worked for me. The Stinger had nearly every tech option imaginable and great performance. A month ago I was looking to get out of my Stinger and landed on a Giulia. I like that the Giulia is sporty, still very comfortable, and has nearly all the tech I wanted. I do not miss any tech the Giulia is lacking, which really surprises me. Heads-up display and cooled seats are the only two things that come to mind that I even remember I don't have anymore. In retrospect I wish I hadn't fretted as much as I did over losing some tech features.

I concur with Chipshot to assess your priorities and if unique, fun, and sporty are up there then I wouldn't worry much about tech versus Audi. I worried way too much about the tech and it turned out to be a non-issue for me.

 

I was shopping used Lexus, BWM, and Audi last year and landed on a new Kia Stinger based on tech, performance, and value. Of the luxury options, Audi would have been my best bet for tech but there weren't any used available around me with options/mileage that worked for me. The Stinger had nearly every tech option imaginable and great performance. A month ago I was looking to get out of my Stinger and landed on a Giulia. I like that the Giulia is sporty, still very comfortable, and has nearly all the tech I wanted. I do not miss any tech the Giulia is lacking, which really surprises me. Heads-up display and cooled seats are the only two things that come to mind that I even remember I don't have anymore. In retrospect I wish I hadn't fretted as much as I did over losing some tech features.

You weren't in your Stinger long. May I ask why you got out of it?

 

Both are great cars. I came super close to leasing an A4, as we've had good luck with our '16 CPO A3 (ironically currently in need of a water pump). I regularly flip between said A3 and the Giulia, and they are hilariously different.

The Audi feels like transportation that has been broadly optimized to have zero pain points. It checks all the boxes, from comfort, composure, passing power, and tech. They're great vehicles for covering lots of miles. The seats and touchpoints are top of the class and wear amazingly well. The styling is conservative enough so that no one really judges you one way or the other. The handling is capable but numb. Basically B+ across the board. You will love it the first week, like it in 6 months, and it will graduate to being a "good, upscale car" after a year.

The Giulia was designed for handling, first and foremost, which is why it feels like nothing else in the class. It has immense dynamic capability, that took me a few months to really explore and get to know. I liked it the first week, loved it after a few months, and 6 months in am just totally obsessed with it. It communicates well enough to make the Audi feel like a dump truck, but somehow does it without ever beating you up. The touch points are fine, not great. As is the interior volume. As is the tech. I personally never really notice though, as Android Auto works fine and I am just always having an absolute blast. It's like how you never remember the bad parts of your vacation. ALSO LOOK AT THE **** THING. My only regret is leasing instead of buying.

 

Do you buy with your brain or your heart?

 

Or yer butt?

 

With both. ?
It just that it drives so good but everything else (Audi, BMW, Volvo) is more comfortable, techy, luxurious, quiet. So it's a tough call. What, in the grand scheme of things, is more important on your daily commute to work and back? Comfort or performance or technology?
If I had a racetrack in the back of my house, sure, the giulia all day long but for every day use.

I guess there's no right or wrong answer, I'm just interested in people who went through this decision process and would love to hear what went through their heads.

Also, sidenote, now there's a nice 2019 S60 out which could theoretically be an option as well.

 

I test drove the previous gen a5 and I didn't like the handling at all. It was like they just made the suspension super stiff to make it resemble sporty handling. It was a dealbreaker.

What makes the a4 more comfortable and quiet though? I can see more luxurious and techy, but not the giulia is pretty comfortable.

Maybe try the G70 if you want a compromise between the two.

 

Alfa 11.8:1 versus A4 15.9:1 steering ratio. Which is cooler? Pretty obvious.

 

My two finalists were an Audi A5 Sportback (essentially the A4 with a more interesting exterior design) and the Giulia. I think there's a great deal to admire in both cars. I was a little frustrated that Audi kept the active safety features to the highest Prestige trim - and even then as an optional extra. They're included by default in Prestige this year, but it made it that much more expensive to consider the Audi when I was looking, versus the more a-la-carte Alfa configurator.

The "virtual cockpit" feature is a really terrific part of Audi's tech portfolio, but it does have a dependency on a $ subscription service. (Unlike some regions, you can't just throw in a data-only SIM.). Without the subscription, you get the less-striking non-photographic map imagery. In addition, the emergence of CarPlay/Android Auto has called into question some of the benefits of OEM nav systems.

In the run-up to the new touch-centric 2019 cabin (found in the new A6), Audi had a great variety of strategies for the center infotainment screen -- from retractable in the A3 and A6, to the "iPad glued to the dashboard" on the A4/A5. I understand the reason for this -- it lets the dashboard be lower -- but overall I preferred the way the infotainment screen is integrated into the design of the dash on the Giulia.

(Interestingly, the 2018 A5 still has the original Torsen quattro system, whereas the A4 has transitioned to quattro Ultra. The latter disengages the front/rear differential by default for better efficiency. Don't call it Haldex, tho... )

 

I had an A4 and nearly bought another before I found the Giulia. I thought about how I was going to use the car and that's what drove my decision. Since I drive short distances often on twisty roads I decided on the more fun car to drive. If I had an highway commute I would have gone with another A4.

I think each car has their place, A4 is definitely more reserved and has better tech, it is suited best for longer drives. That being said it is still a pretty capable performer. The Giulia brings the fun factor back to driving and has pretty good tech and comfort. I did test drive all competitors from Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus, etc. and the A4 and Giulia were my top 2 overall.

 

If I had an highway commute I would have gone with another A4.

For a quiet exeprience, A4 for highway. However the main reason I like the Giulia is for my mostly highway commute. Rt 340 out of Harpers Ferry to I-270 to DC metro. The Giulia is a freeway rocket and incredibly stable at ten over posted. Often I cross several highway bridges at night with uneven expansion joints. Handles them with sublime composure.

 

The A4 is a unforgiving German educator while the Giulia is a beautiful but demanding Italian model.

 

I was surprised how quiet the Giulia is at highway speed. I don't think I'd need anything quieter than that!

 

Audi's are nice. I admit. They are decent to drive too. Alfa is going to be different, period. I can't say you will like it or not. Alfa is not for everyone especially when it comes to parts and service. I'd say that I bet the Alfa will be more reliable than the Audi or around the same. The alfa will probably be more fun to drive and is way less sterile. Audi interiors are very nice as well.

I don't think anyone should convince you either way, this is up to you and what you want. What do you want? comfort and tech or unique, fun and sporty?

Ciao!

 

Everyone will tell you the Alfa. Try posting in an Audi forum and they will all tell you the Audi.

 

I'd post it on the Grand national forum for an unbiased result! haha!

 

Get the A4.

 

Care to elaborate? ?

 

If you ask Alfa Romeo or "some other car" on an Alfa Romeo forum what would you expect? You should know the kind of people who buy something like an Alfa Romeo, including yours truly, on this forum. I bought the car knowing about it's maybe reliability issues and getting the additional service plans just in case. But I got an Alfa nonetheless. Cheers!

 

Me personally, I like to hear the car. I like to hear the engine, feel what's going on, and actually enjoy driving. It doesn't have to be a race track or a high-speed run during your commute. I have fun going to the corner store to pickup the proverbial loaf of bread at midnight. Every time I get behind that wheel there is a connection and it's a good time.


If you're not that kind of person, or don't see yourself falling into that category...get the Audi. No shame in being an Audi guy, wanting quiet and safe...and that popup/not a popup screen jutting out of the dash top looks very 'techy' too.

 

I'm hearing a lot of angry yelling and Kraftwerk playing over on that other forum right now. Hot headed Italians and stubborn Germans shouldn't provoke one another.