Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0 CVT - First Place - Luxury Sport Convertibles Comparison

First Place
Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.0 CVT

A few hours into our mountain drives, it became clear that this one wasn't even going to be close. In almost every category--exterior styling, cockpit design, handling, fun-to-drive, value--the name that kept coming up during our driver swaps was "Audi."

The body isn't a direct copy of the A4 sedan, but instead has a longer hood, unique taillights, and some cues borrowed from the TT (including headlights backed with black). The result is a real looker: lean, muscular, elegant, with just enough modern detailing to excite the eyes (notice the brushed aluminum of the windshield surround). The cockpit is even better, featuring superb seats, a clean and stylish dash layout, tasteful use of wood trim and metallic accents, and such welcome details as a switch on the driver's door that lowers all four windows with one touch. Top-down, the cabin is exceptionally quiet, too. Logged one driver: "With the optional windblocker in place, it's hard to recall a convertible that's more calm and tranquil at 80 mph. Maybe the Mercedes SL. Certainly none under $50K."

The continuously variable transmission is a surprise in this lofty price class (CVTs are more common in economy cars), but we quickly realized that it's a sweet partner to the refined and responsive 3.0-liter six. "Infinite ratios--I love it!" wrote one tester. Another logbook entry: "The powertrain feels happy running hard. By simply popping the shifter over into the manumatic gate, the CVT holds revs extremely well during spirited driving. I didn't even shift it. The kick-down switch will still prompt a ratio change when needed, so in manumatic mode the CVT ends up feeling more like a normal five-speed auto." Our only criticism was that, due to the constant "slipping clutch" sound of the CVT (and the odd sensation of hearing the engine note holding steady while speed continues to build), the Audi doesn't deliver the thrilling aural crescendos some enthusiasts may crave.

The A4's handling drew raves. "By far the easiest and most satisfying of the trio to drive hard," wrote one editor. "Steering is smooth and direct--the A4 goes exactly where you point it, and the chassis is both grippy and stable in corners." Stated another: "The tires never squeal, and I haven't noticed any stability-control intervention, despite running pretty darned hard. A very nice piece of work." Our seat-of-the-pants impressions were borne out at the test track, where the A4 topped our handling tests, including most skidpad grip (0.81 g) and fastest speed in the slalom (64 mph). The slight tradeoff for that cornering prowess is a ride that's conspicuously firmer than the CLK's. Thanks to the A4's excellent structural rigidity, though, road imperfections are damped out before becoming intrusive in the cabin.

As mentioned before, that cabin is a gem. Compared with the old A4 Cabrio, the new model is more than eight inches longer overall and rides on a wheelbase that's grown by nearly four inches. One welcome byproduct of the stretch is excellent rear-seat legroom. Adults can actually ride in back without staring at their kneecaps. More likely, they'll just admire the Audi's designer cockpit attire.

Our A4 Cabriolet test car carried some pricey options, including premium leather sport seats ($1500); a premium package ($1475) with wind deflector, Xenon headlights, and more; an excellent Bose audio system ($650); 17-inch alloy wheels ($500); and special pearl paint ($450). Yet the as-tested sticker of $46,735 significantly undercuts even the base price of the CLK320 Cabriolet.

Our test team is unanimous: Roof up or roof down, in this talented trio the Audi A4 Cabriolet is tops.

Read about what it was like road testing this topless trio in our related "Behind the Scenes: Testing a Trio of Luxury Convertibles" article.