Audi has a reputation for making some of the most fuel-efficient and reliable cars on the luxury market. One of its most dependable models is the Audi A4 sedan, which consistently gets high marks from Consumer Reports. If you’ve ever wanted to experience an Audi for yourself, several of its used models are very affordable right now.

U.S. News says that the best used Audi to buy right now is the 2018 Audi A4. The car was originally over $36,000, but some drivers paid as little as $30,000 for a lightly used one. Is the 2018 Audi A4 worth your money?

New features for 2018

The Audi A4 got a full redesign for the 2017 model year, so it has plenty of nice upgrades. The previous generation only had one engine option – a supercharged V6 capable of 333 hp. 2017 introduced two new engines, both of which are paired with a new seven-speed automatic transmission. It also comes standard with settings for four drive modes.

For 2018, a new engine was added to complement the high-powered S4 trim. It’s a turbo-V6 that makes 354 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with standard all-wheel drive and every available technology upgrade.

The 2016 Audi A4 was panned by critics for its lack of standard technology, but that changed with the redesign. The 2018 Audi A4 comes standard with smartphone integration, a few USB ports, and a larger touchscreen. The infotainment interface itself is also more advanced and has swift response times.

Higher trims also received a premium audio system, a massive 12-inch touchscreen, and built-in navigation. Certain trims of the Audi A4 also got plenty of new safety features, like rear-collision detection and traffic sign recognition. Leather seats with heating were also made standard for this model year.

Why the Audi A4 surpasses its siblings

The 2018 Audi A4 beat many other Audi cars, including two models from later years. The 2019 Audi Q3 has a more powerful base engine plus standard all-wheel drive. However, it has terrible gas mileage compared to the A4 sedan and it’s slightly more expensive.

The 2019 Audi Q5 is more expensive than both the A4 and Q3, with higher used trims still costing over $50,000. It has the standard Audi trademarks of powerful engines and an array of fancy technology. Still, it doesn’t have as much cargo space as other luxury compact SUVs. While it’s not on U.S. News’s list, the Audi A4 Allroad wagon actually has more cargo space than both of these SUVs.

More about the 2018 Audi A4

The Audi A4 has a large 13-inch trunk, plus a split-folding rear seat. The rest of the interior is also up to par with luxury standards, with many soft-touch surfaces and finely-crafted control knobs. Legroom is generous for front-seat riders, but things are predictably more narrow in the back row. Still, every seat is supportive enough to keep everyone comfortable on long trips.

The 2018 A4 is very athletic on twisty roads, and hard jolts are muted by the suspension. The cabin is well insulated on the highway and the brake pedal has a solid feel. Consumer Reports says that it has good steering feedback, though not on the level of other sports cars.

CR also criticized the learning curve of both the infotainment system and the gear shifter. Some of the internet-based technology is difficult to use and the gear selector is too finicky. U.S. News also warns that the Audi A4 has higher insurance rates than a typical luxury sedan. Still, all things considered, the 2018 Audi A4 is definitely a good value at its lowered price.