Audi A4 Ground Clearance

All of the Audi A4’s trims have 5.2 inches of ground clearance. Upgrade to the Audi A4 Allroad to increase that figure to 6.5 inches.
Written by Cameron Thiessen
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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An Audi A4’s body typically rests a minimum of 5.2 inches above the ground. With A4 Allroad, you can bump that up to 6.5 inches.
The Audi A4 is a premium compact sedan, but the Audi A4 Allroad is a premium compact wagon that is just so close to being essentially an SUV. If you’re looking for offroading capabilities, the Audi A4 sedan is probably not what you’re looking for, with a ground clearance more suited to the average city roads.
Here's a look at how far your new A4 might sit above the ground.
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2022 Audi A4 ground clearance

The A4’s ground clearance varies specifically between the sedan version and the Allroad wagon.
Each trim of the sedan has a ground clearance of 5.2 inches. Those trims are as follows:
Each trim of the A4 Allroad wagon has a ground clearance of 6.5 inches, and they all come with the upgraded 45 TFSI engine. Here are the trim options for the Allroad:
The extra inch-and-a-bit of ground clearance that you get with the station wagon is definitely helpful for tackling the odd dirt road, but it still is unlikely to get you over more challenging terrain like an actual SUV would.

Audi A4 ground clearance over the years

If you’re driving an older A4 model, it’s possible that your ground clearance numbers might look a bit different. Manufacturers are always adjusting and adapting to new customer demands and advances in technology.
Here’s how the A4’s ground clearance has changed over the generations: 
  • 1st generation (1994-2001): 4.3 inches
  • 2nd generation (2001-2006): 4.2 inches
  • 3rd generation (2004-2009): 4.2 inches
  • 4th generation (2009-2016): 4.3 inches
As you can see, with its attempts to compete with the modern SUV, the A4’s recent increases in ground clearance are significant to a point, especially if you’ve driven A4s in the past and had been looking for something similar but slightly higher.

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

So what exactly is the significance of the A4’s ground clearance numbers? Should you care about them, or is it just another car spec, buried beneath lists of flashier features? Ground clearance measures the distance from the lowest point on the chassis to the road. If you’re driving on uneven ground, a car with a lower ground clearance can end up severely damaged if it gets high-centered on uneven ground, and you’ll probably find yourself stuck too.
With a higher ground clearance, you don’t have to worry as much about uneven terrain. While the A4’s wagon version with higher ground clearance is dubbed the “Allroad,” its 6.5 inches of ground clearance doesn’t quite match the minimum 8.5 inches recommended by experts for off-roading. Dirt roads are one thing, but mountain roads may be a bit much for the A4, especially for the sedan version.
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Is the Audi A4 a good off-road vehicle?

If you’re going by that expert-recommended figure of at least 8.5 inches of ground clearance, then the answer is a solid no for both the sedan and the A4 Allroad.
That being said, you will certainly be well equipped for a bit of uneven terrain with the Allroad, especially given its renowned Quattro AWD drivetrain and its incredible adaptive suspension. It also has an Off-Road setting that can actually bump the A4 Allroad’s clearance up to 7 inches if switched on.
With all this taken into consideration, the A4 Allroad is a good off-road vehicle in a pinch, but you probably don’t want to drive it to the top of a remote mountain in
Colorado
. Ultimately, the A4 sedan is a city car, and probably always will be. If off-roading is your game, consider an actual SUV.

Guard against accidents with the best A4 insurance

If you’re looking into a new A4—or if you’re wondering about the capabilities of the one you currently have—set yourself up with a great insurance policy that can cover damages you might incur on an off-road adventure.
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