2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its traditionally bland image by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. Designers added features like flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights to give the car a wider appearance. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their excessive use of fake vents, which cluttered the design. The LE and XLE trims offered a slightly cleaner look with a different grille, though it remained quite large. The Camry's interior mirrored its exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and a lack of cohesive design theme, resulting in a somewhat low-rent feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Audi A4 presented a simple, clean, and conservative design that served as an ideal backdrop for its striking Tango Red paint and Black Edition package. The A4's interior maintained a similar aesthetic restraint, featuring high-quality materials and a well-integrated dashboard. The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel and ambient lighting added a touch of modernity, while the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed slightly out of place. Overall, the A4's design was praised for its elegance and functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in most trims with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total of 208 hp. The SE Nightshade Edition, with its base four-cylinder engine and AWD, surprised with its sporty nature and responsive handling, offering a fun driving experience.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI came with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD. The A4 45 TFSI, tested here, offered 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a sport suspension as part of the S-line package. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about 5.4 seconds. The A4's driving experience was refined, with a solid punch of torque and responsive steering. The Quattro Ultra AWD system provided stability, while the brakes remained reliable even under stress. The A4 was praised for its quiet cabin and dynamic performance.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, and in-cabin storage was limited. The Camry featured analog controls for essential functions, though some were awkwardly placed.

The 2022 Audi A4, with its low seating position, was challenging to enter and exit. However, once inside, the front seats offered exceptional comfort with power adjustments and thigh support. The A4's three-zone automatic climate control was user-friendly, and the interior layout was intuitive. Rear seating was snug, with limited legroom, but comfortable for short trips. The A4's 340-litre cargo space was well-finished, with practical storage solutions.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. The system was functional but lacked standout features.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the MIB3 version of Audi's MMI, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen supporting smartphone-like functions. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with separate climate controls and useful voice recognition, making the lack of physical controls a non-issue.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder.

The 2022 Audi A4 also received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. The A4 Technik trim included Audi Pre Sense, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. The driver assistance tech was effective, though the adaptive cruise control occasionally required manual intervention.