If the new A4 sedan's performance doesn't impress you, the new styling should. The new digs are an evolution of the automaker's current design language; the 2017 A4 features a chiseled look devoid of any superfluous bodylines or styling elements. Thanks to a trick hood hinge, the automaker was able to integrate the hood and fender line into a crease that runs from the edge of the (optional) LED headlights along the side to the edge of the LED taillights. The feature eliminates a cutline higher up on the hood. Speaking of taillights, the sequential rear LED turn signals add a sense of class and style at the rear.

Inside, the optional Audi virtual cockpit and Audi MMI Navigation plus with MMI Touch is one of the most sophisticated digital instrument cluster and infotainment systems in the business. The instrument cluster is reconfigurable and can even display a large map simultaneously as the large center-mounted screen. The Virtual Cockpit features a massive 12.3-inch LCD screen with 1440x540 pixel resolution and a NVIDIA quad-core processor. The Navigation system sports a fixed 8.3-inch TFT display with 1024x480 resolution.

Although the 2017 Audi A4 sedan 2.0 quattro S tronic starts at $40,350 (including $950 destination), our Prestige model has a base price of $48,950. Standard features include LED taillights, heated, power side mirrors, eight-way front seats with four-way driver's lumbar, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats with driver's seat memory, LED interior lighting, power sunroof, rearview camera, keyless entry and push button start, three-zone climate control.

The ($8,600) Prestige trim adds 18-inch wheels, the Audi Virtual Cockpit and Audi MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, a Bang & Olufsen (16-channel, 19-speaker, 775-watt) surround-sound system, Sirius satellite radio, Audi's advanced key, an alarm system, a full-color head-up display, LED headlights, a park-assist system with top-view camera, the S line exterior, and more.

Other options include the $1,800 Driver Assistance package (adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition), the $1,450 Warm Weather package (ventilated front seats, manual rear window side shades), the $1,000 adaptive damping suspension, and the $500 Cold Weather package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel).

Our tester topped out at $54,275.

The 2017 Audi A4 sedan is a significant improvement over the already capable previous generation and should put up a good fight with the best cars in its segment. Sounds like a comparison test is in order.

2017 Audi A4 2.0T quattro (Prestige)
BASE PRICE	$48,950
PRICE AS TESTED	$54,275
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE	2.0L/252-hp/273-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	7-speed twin-clutch auto.
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,666 lb (56/44%)
WHEELBASE	111.0 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	186.1 x 79.6 x 56.2 in
0-60 MPH	5.4 sec
QUARTER MILE	14.0 sec @ 99.1 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	105 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.92 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	25.3 sec @ 0.74 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	24/31/27 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	140/109 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.73 lb/mile