Audi A4: Blind Spot Monitoring Feature Explained

Audi A4 is a popular car model that has been in production for several years. The availability of blind spot monitoring as a feature has varied across different model years of the Audi A4. While some older models may not have included it as a standard feature, it appears that more recent models, such as the 2025 Audi A4, do offer blind spot monitoring as part of certain trim packages. Additionally, there seem to be third-party options available for adding blind spot monitoring to Audi A4 models that do not have it as a factory-installed feature.

Audi Side Assist

The EuroNCAP safety organization recognized the potential of Audi Side Assist for preventing accidents and awarded it a prize in 2010. The system provides extra protection when driving in foul weather conditions, such as rain or snow, and can be particularly useful when merging onto or exiting a highway. While proper adjustment of the side mirrors can help to minimize blind spots, the Audi Side Assist system offers an additional layer of safety by detecting vehicles that may be approaching at high speeds or in areas with curves and hills. This system can be especially useful in preventing accidents caused by sideswiping other vehicles that the driver couldn't see due to blind spots.

The Audi Side Assist system can be disabled by the driver if desired. It is important to note that the system may interfere with some radar detectors, and the mirror can become quite expensive to replace if damaged. Overall, Audi Side Assist is a valuable feature that enhances the safety and driving experience of Audi vehicles, including the Audi A4.

Audi A4 safety features

The Audi A4 has a host of safety features, both passive and active, which earned it the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS in 2021.

The Audi A4 is equipped with the Audi Pre Sense® system, which includes Pre Sense City and Pre Sense Rear. The former monitors the area in front of the vehicle when travelling at city speeds to detect potential collisions. If a crash is imminent, the system will tighten seatbelts, adjust the side bolsters, and reposition the front seats to protect the occupants. The windows and sunroof will also be closed to protect against debris. The Pre Sense Rear system works in the same way, but for rear accidents.

The Audi Side Assist system is another standard feature on the Audi A4, which helps to monitor blind spots. This feature uses sensors to detect when a vehicle is in the driver's blind spot, and will provide an indicator light and an audible warning if the driver attempts to turn into the path of another vehicle.

The Audi A4 also has ABS brakes, which automatically sense when a tire has stopped rotating under extreme braking and will modulate the brake pressure to allow the tire to rotate and increase the vehicle's ability to turn while braking. Stability control also helps to prevent the driver from losing control of the vehicle by automatically sensing when the vehicle's handling limits have been exceeded, reducing engine power, and applying select brakes.

The vehicle is also equipped with front-impact, side-impact, overhead, and knee airbags, as well as seatbelt pretensioners, and anti-whiplash head restraints. Other safety features include an ignition disable device, a speed-sensing door lock, and an anti-theft engine immobilizer.

Audi A4 2025 model

The Audi A4 is a luxury sedan that has been in production for over three decades. The 2025 model, starting at $43,295, will be the final model of its kind as Audi transitions to a new naming convention. The 2025 Audi A4 will come with standard safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and parking proximity sensors.

The Premium Plus trim, starting at $44,100, will include additional features such as a wireless phone charger, a premium audio system, a surround-view camera, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The Audi term for the blind-spot monitoring feature is 'Audi side assist'. This system helps you see where your eyes can't by detecting when a vehicle is in your blind spot and providing both a visual and audible warning.

The 2025 Audi A4 will also offer remote engine start via the myAudi app, a built-in navigation system, and satellite map views, Google voice search, and real-time traffic information through the Audi Connect subscription service, which is free for the first three years.

The Audi A4 gets the fundamentals right, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and technology. It may not be as flashy as some competitors, but its smart use of technology and high levels of comfort will appeal to shoppers.

Audi A4 vs competitors

The Audi A4 is a premium compact sedan with a clean, cerebral style. A regular A4 starts at around $41,500, but to come fully stocked, we're looking at over $50,000.

Acura TLX

The Acura TLX is a competitor to the Audi A4, offering more equipment as standard. The all-wheel-drive version has a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and a complex torque vectoring system for better handling and grip, starting at $39,195. The Acura also includes many driver-assistance features as standard, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and road-departure mitigation. The Acura also has more trunk space at 14.3 cubic feet.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is another alternative to the Audi A4, appealing to those who want something different from the usual German suspects. The Giulia offers 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque, along with distinctly European suspension suppleness and handling sharpness. Adding all-wheel drive to make it more comparable to the A4 pushes the Giulia’s price into the $41,000 range.

Audi A5 Sportback

The Audi A5 Sportback is a five-door car with a sloping roof and a hatchback configuration, offering more cargo-carrying versatility than the A4. The A5 Sportback is also more expensive, starting at $43,575, but it comes with much of the same equipment and hardware as the A4.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a variation on the 3 Series theme, offering more style with a sleeker roofline. The rear-drive 430i version starts at $44,095, but offers less rear headroom.

Genesis G80

The Genesis G80 is another competitor to the Audi A4, offering similar passenger volume to the bigger Audi A6, but costing around the same as an A4. The G80 also comes with many advanced driver aids as standard, including blind-spot monitoring. The rear-wheel-drive version with a 311-hp and 293-lb-ft V6 engine starts at a competitive $42,725.

Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE is a competitor to the Audi A4, with two main traits that could lure buyers away: its looks and its driving performance. The XE offers a wonderful suspension that absorbs bumps and ruts, while also providing precise and controlled handling on challenging curves. The regular engine comes with 247 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and pricing starts at $36,720. However, the cabin is not at the same level as the A4.

Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 is an alternative to the Audi A4, coming in at a lower starting price of $39,245. The entry-level 240-hp version comes with plenty of standard kit, and the V60 has more trunk space than the A4, with 43.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are folded down.

Blind Spot Monitoring

The Audi A4 does offer blind spot monitoring, known as Audi Side Assist, as standard on the 2022 model. This system uses dedicated sensors to detect when a vehicle is in the driver's blind spot and provides both visual and audible warnings.

Audi A4 customer reviews

Audi A4 customers have left reviews that discuss the vehicle's blind-spot monitoring capabilities. The Audi A4 has a feature called Audi Side Assist, which uses dedicated sensors to detect when a vehicle is in the driver's blind spot. When a vehicle enters the blind spot, an indicator light on the outside mirror turns on, and an audible warning is sounded. This feature is designed to prevent accidents caused by sideswiping other vehicles.

Some customers have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the blind-spot monitoring system, noting that it can interfere with radar detectors and that the mirrors can become expensive to replace if damaged. Others have found the system helpful, especially when merging onto highways.

Due to the ongoing microchip shortage, Audi has had to cut some features from its models, including blind-spot monitoring. As a result, some 2022 Audi A4 models may not have this feature.

Overall, while the Audi A4's blind-spot monitoring system has received mixed reviews, it is generally seen as a valuable safety feature that can help prevent accidents.

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