2022 Audi A4 vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance-tuned model. For this review, the A4 sedan was evaluated, available in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series and Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. Prices ranged from under $40,000 to over $50,000. The test car was a top-tier Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890, including the destination charge.

The A4's exterior was simple, clean, and conservative, serving as a perfect canvas for the Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with black everything, complemented by aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents. The high-quality materials, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting were highlights, though the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed out of place.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid had a rich history in the U.S., with the Camry being a significant model for Toyota. The Camry Hybrid, introduced in 2007, continued to impress with its futuristic and expressive design. The front end featured a sneering face and muscular features, with wheel options ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Camry Hybrid's dashboard had a sweeping curve, a big infotainment touchscreen, and a control center occupying the upper half of the center stack. The second row was roomy and comfortable, even for the middle seat. Toyota's high level of fit and finish was evident, with even gaps, smooth, glossy paint, and quality material selection.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg combined and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a lowered sport suspension, reaching 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined. The A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg during testing.

The A4's driving experience was joyful, with a refined engine, solid torque, and outstanding tire grip. The steering was adequate, and the car's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation over speed bumps. The A4 was remarkably quiet, with dual-pane acoustic front window glass and a slippery coefficient of drag.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with variable valve timing, direct injection, and port injection, combined with two electric motors for a total system output of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels. The LE model achieved an EPA-rated fuel economy of 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway/52 mpg combined, while other trims got 44 mpg city/47 mpg highway/46 mpg combined.

The Camry Hybrid's handling was good, with a lower center of gravity due to the lithium-ion battery pack placement. The drive mode selection included EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport, though keeping the car in EV mode was challenging. The hybrid's performance was generally satisfactory, with some occasional droning from the drivetrain and a focus on fuel economy over responsiveness.

The 2022 Audi A4's low ground clearance made it harder to enter and exit, with small door openings and a snug cabin. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4 had a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the layout and switchgear were intuitive. The back seat was comfortable for shorter trips, though space was limited, and getting in and out was challenging. Interior storage space was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a reasonable and comfortable driving position, with ample headroom and multiple storage options. The second row was easy to access and roomy, with bottle holders in the doors and map pockets in the front seatbacks. The Camry Hybrid had 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, with a passthrough for long items and fold-down second-row seats for oversized cargo. Toyota's warranty covered the Camry Hybrid for three years/36,000 miles, with a powertrain warranty of five years/60,000 miles, a hybrid battery warranty of 10 years/100,000 miles, and specific hybrid components covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common fingertip smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with a Home button for easy navigation and accurate voice recognition technology. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, though sound quality degraded at high volumes. The test car also had a head-up display, though it was hard to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was loaded with Toyota's latest technology features, including a specially tuned JBL audio system with nine speakers. Embedded navigation was available on XLE and XSE models, while Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot were standard on all models. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE had a 9-inch touchscreen. The Camry Hybrid also featured a smart key system, push-button start, a projected-path feature for the rearview camera, automatic LED headlights, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10-inch color head-up display was available on XSE models, along with a bird's-eye view camera, intelligent clearance sonar with rear cross-traffic braking, and multi-stage ventilated seats.

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped the availability of its safety features, with the top-of-the-line Prestige model having all the bells and whistles. The A4 Prestige included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The A4 also had Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also had Toyota's Star safety system, including stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Camry Hybrid had 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts for every seating position, LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats, child protector locks, window lockout controls, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on XLE and XSE. The Camry Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was expected to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.