Sports sedans like the Audi A4 are the reason why people love cars. Famous for its balanced ride and handling, exceptional bad-weather grip, and expensive looks, the Audi A4, known for its Quattro all-wheel-drive, is the unofficial brand ambassador of sporty sedans.
Yet, despite all its excellent qualities, the Audi A4 needs a good set of tires to perform at its best. The best tires for Audi A4 should be able to provide enhanced steering feedback to the driver. They must also make its ride even plusher and enhance its already agile handling.
In addition to featuring all these qualities, your Audi A4’s tires must also complement your driving style, the conditions you regularly drive in, and the trim on which you’ll put them on. As you might guess, checking all these boxes is a tall order, even for premium tires.
To help you choose the best Audi A4 tires, we’ve come up with this review of the top 9 models. We have picked tires from different categories so you can choose the one meeting your requirements. If you’re unsure, check out the buying guide section that follows reviews.
#1. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack – Best Overall
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack is the best option for roads that don’t receive a lot of snow. These grand-touring tires have the ability to enhance the A4’s strong points (agile handling, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency). Plus, they cost less than rival models from Michelin.
Bridgestone’s QuietTrack technology and the ridges in their grooves have made these tires incredibly quiet. Even at speeds where their rivals growl, the QuietTracks don’t let out as much as a squeak. This is great news for anyone who likes driving with windows down.
Sure, the Audi A4’s bad-weather grip is exceptional. But the tires’ four circumferential grooves and multiple lateral grooves will still enhance this sedan’s wet weather performance. The risk of hydroplaning will go down, as will the A4’s braking distances on slippery roads.
ComfortCruise Technology enables these tires to improve the ride quality of any vehicle they’re installed on. It does that by optimizing the rubber to absorb road vibrations and deflect road noise. The technology also makes the contact patch rounder, enhancing fuel economy.
However, just like the Audi A4, these tires aren’t without their flaws. Their snow performance is negligible and while these tires do come cheap than rival models from Michelin, their asking price still has the potential to blow a hole in most peoples’ pockets.
Pros
- Excellent treadwear warranty (80,000 miles)
- Quiet and comfortable handling in most conditions
- Boosts best-in-class wet traction
Cons
- Snow performance is quite limited
#2. Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ - Best Runner Up
The Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ offers the kind of steering responsiveness and feedback that make these tires a must-have for the pricier trims of the Audi A4. At the same time, they have the tread compound needed to stay useful in wet and dry conditions.
Start with the performance. An aggressive-looking tread design works side-by-side with these tires’ shoulder blocks to improve their lateral grip and straight-line tracking. And a continuous center rib makes the Pilot Sport A/ S3+ more responsive by increasing feedback.
All of this means that these tires would give the driver maximum feel for the road. However, it also means that you should be ready for relatively low tread life, something Michelin indirectly conceded when it backed the Sport A/S3+ with a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty.
An advanced silica and sunflower oil tread compound strikes an optimal balance between flexibility and firmness, helping the A/S 3+ perform reliably in wet and dry conditions. However, as you might expect, the flexibility on offer won’t be able to deal adequately with snow.
All in all, the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ is an exceptional all-season performance tire. While it’s true that this model doesn’t have an ultra-long tread life. Nor can anyone term its asking price pocket friendly. But the features that this model offers overshadow all these shortcomings.
Pros
- Exceptional steering responsiveness
- Outstanding high-speed stability and straight-line tracking
- Performs reliably in wet and slippery conditions
Cons
- Doesn’t come cheap
#3. Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring - Best Value for Money
The Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring checks several boxes for the budget-minded Audi A4 driver. These include an affordable asking price, reliable performance in dry and wet conditions, and brilliant high-speed stability. An M+S rating and long treadwear warranty also explain their appeal.
Cooper’s exclusive StabiliEdge Technology helps the CS5 on various counts. This technology sees to it that the tires’ tread elements are interlocked at high speeds, thereby ensuring high-speed stability and steering responsiveness. Plus, it elevates the tires’ cornering performance.
An M+S rating isn’t as good as the 3PMSF symbol (which this model doesn’t have). Still, it tells you that the CS5 Ultra Touring will perform better in snow than the tires lacking both symbols.
Wet conditions are where these tires shine. Multiple circumferential grooves quickly and effectively evacuate water to lower the risk of hydroplaning and improve wet traction. Aside from that, inboard & outboard shoulder blocks work together to shorten braking distances.
These tires also come with wear square indicators. You’d thus not be forced to resort to guesswork to estimate the remaining treadlife. In addition, a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty (on some sizes) means you can easily get 5 – 6 years from these tires if you keep them on paved roads.
Pros
- Available at a pocket-friendly price
- Some models are backed with a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Above-average dry and wet handling
Cons
- Smaller treadwear warranty (50,000 miles) for V- and H-rated tires
#4. Michelin CrossClimate 2 - Best All-Season
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is one of those few tires that perform as reliably in dry conditions as they do on water-logged and snow-laden roads. For this reason, if you drive in an area which receives its fair share of rain or snow, don’t let these models escape your attention.
A Thermal Adaptive tread compound indicates where these tires’ preferences lie. The compound has the uncanny ability to adapt itself to prevailing road and weather conditions. As such, you can count on it to keep these tires and your Audi A4 stable 365 days a year.
To enhance these tires wet and snow performance, Michelin has paired their directional tread pattern with V-Ramp chamfers and innumerable biting edges. This is done to help this tire latch onto wet roads and plow through snow and ice. The good news continues.
To alleviate all your concerns about this tire’s snow performance, the M+S (Mud + Snow) and 3PMSF (Three Peak Mountain Snowflake) emblems should be enough. The 3PMSF symbol is more trustworthy, given that it only comes on dedicated winter tires.
Similar to our top picks, the CrossClimate 2 drives comfortably and quietly. Which is something you’d expect from an all-season. A 60,000-mile treadwear warranty is 10,000 miles higher than what you are getting with the CrossClimate Plus, this model’s predecessor.
Pros
- Comes with the 3PMSF symbol
- Incredibly short braking distances
- Performs superbly in snow and ice
Cons
- Available at a premium price point
#5. Continental ExtremeContact Sport – Best Max Performance
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is designed to meet the requirements of Audi A4 drivers who push this sporty sedan to its limits. Top-of-the-line steering responsiveness, stability at breathtaking speeds, steadiness at high-speed cornering – these are the features you’d get from this tire.
Continental’s decision to pair the +Silane additives with its proprietary SportPlus tread compound helps this tire cut both ways. These two features are the reason why, despite giving the versatility of an A/S tire, the ExtremeContact Sport has the handling and aggressive of tires in its own class.
A 5- or 6-rib asymmetric tread pattern means higher feedback at the steering feel, better stability at high speeds and high-speed cornering and more precise steering inputs. So, if you’re one of the few A4 drivers who aren’t satisfied with this sedan’s handling, give the ExtremeContact a try.
An internal polyester or rayon cord body casing and 2-ply sidewall (which is 86 percent stronger than its predecessor in the ExtremeContact DW) ensures that none of your high-speed driving theatrics can lay a glove on this tire’s uniform shape. This means no premature deformation.
The only major flaw with this tire – it performs poorly in snow – is one that was expected. After all, 99% of high-performance tires don’t have what it takes to handle the white stuff.
Pros
- Offers superb high-speed stability
- Provides an enhanced steering response
- Rides comfortably for an ultra-high-performance tire
Cons
- Not usable in wintry conditions
#6. Pirelli Cinturato P7 – Best OEM Tire
The fact that the Pirelli Cinturato P7 is a stock tire on some Audi A4 trims doesn’t mean you should replace it right after this car has been delivered to you. There are various reasons why you should keep going with this tire instead of buying a set of replacement ones.
Start with its fuel economy. Independent estimates claim that the Audi A4 can do up to 25 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. As good as these numbers are, we’re confident that this tire can improve them, essentially since the P7 has a 20% less rolling resistance than rivals.
Next comes this model’s ride and handling. A computer-optimized tread pattern takes help from the built-in pitch sequencing to deflect and dissipate road noise. The tread pattern also absorbs vibrations, thereby ensuring a quiet and comfortable ride at highway speeds.
Then there are this model’s four circumferential grooves. These water channels do much more than most people give them credit for (which is evacuating water and lowering the risk of hydroplaning). In addition, they also keep the contact patch dry for enhanced wet traction.
The sight of biting edges on its tread area should inspire confidence about this model’s snow performance, even though you shouldn’t expect this tire to rival a dedicated winter tire.
Pros
- Backed with a superb 70,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers excellent fuel quality and noise-free ride
- Available at a competitive asking price
Cons
- Wears pretty quickly
#7. General AltiMAX RT43 – Best Pocket Friendly
The General Altimax RT43 dispels various myths. The most widespread of which is that you always have to break the bank to land a set of high-quality tires. As a result, if you are fed up of paying the top dollar for premium tires, the Altimax RT43 is worth a shot.
A double-layer tread compound shows that no corners have been cut to keep the asking price low. The compound’s lower layer has been deliberately kept soft to enable it to absorb vibrations. The upper layer, meanwhile, is slightly firm for decent steering feedback.
The combination of Sound Wave Suppression Technology and optimized pitch sequence guarantees a noise-free riding experience.
General has also equipped this model with various indicators. The first, Visual Alignment Indicators (VAIs) let you inspect your wheels’ alignment status at a glance. The second, Replacement Tire Monitors, will one day demonstrate that the tires’ time is nearly up.
A 75,000-mile treadwear warranty translates into 6, 7 years of road life, not bad for a tire which costs less than half to its rival models from Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental. Plus, its availability in 79 sizes means the Altimax RT43 can go on almost every A4 trim.
Pros
- Comes in 79 sizes from 13- to 20-inch range
- Backed with a 75,000 mile treadwear warranty
- Comes with various tire maintenance indicators
Cons
- Lackluster performance on snow and ice
#8. Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS – Best Performance
An all-season tread compound molded into an asymmetric tread pattern. Exceptional straight line tracking and high-speed stability. Short braking distances at dry and wet conditions. All these features make the Bridgestone Potenza RE 980AS one of the best tires for speed enthusiasts.
The rolling of its all-season tread compound into an asymmetric tread pattern has done wonders for this model’s performance. It has reduced the tire’s rolling resistance (so improved fuel economy), helping the tire take off with a minor depression of your A4’s accelerator.
Similar is the case with wet traction, thanks to four circumferential grooves performing an excellent job of evacuating water and reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Furthermore, a continuous center rib and multiple ribs in the shoulders help you attack corners with confidence.
That is not all. In contrast to the majority of high-performance tires, the RE980AS is fairly quiet at high speeds. Another area where it breaks away from its class is ride quality. In fact, this model rides so comfortably that you might begin to doubt its HP credentials.
Unfortunately, one area where this tire is like many of its rivals is wear. If you are going to subject it to hard cornering and sudden braking, be prepared for uneven wear and, by extension, shorter treadlife.
Pros
- Extremely short braking distances
- Has top-notch dry handling and responsiveness
- Less noisy than high-performance tires
Cons
- Wears pretty quickly if you test it to its limits
#9. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tires
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is our top winter tire pick for various sedans, muscle cars, and even crossovers. There is no reason why the Audi A4 won’t be able to take advantage of this tire’s winter-specific features on ice- and snow-laden roads.
What makes this tire highly suitable for most vehicles is that it doesn’t require studs to perform reliably in harsh wintry conditions. Instead, its super-flexible tread compound has the ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures without any external assistance.
Which is something that would have been possible had this tire lacked MultiCell Technology. This technology ensures that the tread area retains snow while expelling water. This is done because the resulting snow-on-snow contact would improve traction.
Snow performance is further enhanced by EdgePerformance Technology. Featuring an asymmetric tread pattern, this package widens the WS90’s contact patch every time it contacts the surface. As such, the WS90 won’t have any trouble gripping the road.
Still have doubts about this model’s snow performance? The 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) emblem should be enough to erase them. As stated above, this symbol only comes with those tires that have met the rater’s strict criteria for reliable snow performance.
Pros
- Offers excellent traction on snow and ice
- Comes with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol
- Mountain Snowflake symbol
Cons
MultiCell Technology covers only 55% of the tread depth
Best Tires for Audi A4
Grand Touring Tires
Grand touring tires are by far the ideal option for the average Audi A4 driver. These tires offer excellent levels of grip and handling on the highway, as well as short braking distances in wet conditions. Their high-speed stability and hydroplaning resistance is also excellent.
Paired with your Audi A4’s sound isolation, these tires will make your ride quieter and more comfortable than it already is. As they have the unique ability to absorb vibrations and deflect road noise. All these qualities make grand touring tires a must-have for frequent travelers.
That said, if you are one of those A4 drivers who test this sporty sedan to its limits, grand-touring tires might leave you feeling ‘meh’. You won’t be able to help but notice a lack of responsiveness, a feeling which will be compounded if you have driven high-performance tires in the past.
High-Performance Tires
High-performance tires are the best for those owning a pricier version of Audi A4. As their name leaves no doubt, these tires’ main focus is performance. Think of excellent high-speed stability, maximum responsiveness on the steering, and superb grip during cornering.
That said, there are a few good reasons why high-performance tires aren’t every A4 driver’s cup of tea. The main roadblock is price, which is much higher than grand-touring tires. Another shortcoming is treadlife, which is less than half of grand touring tires you saw above.
Lastly, high-performance tires aren’t as comfortable either. Their ride feels a bit firm, regardless of whether you’re driving at every day or breakneck speeds. Their noise levels, which are quieter when you’re below the speed limit, will get louder with speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do tires last on Audi A4?
A set of touring or grand-touring tires should last anywhere between 5 and 6 years on Audi A4, unless you regularly drive on uneven roads in which case the tires’ life will be much shorter. Performance and high-performance tires can last between 30,000 and 45,000 miles.
Are Continental tires good for Audi?
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is an excellent tire for Audi A4. This high-performance tire offers excellent high-speed stability, steering responsiveness and cornering performance. It is also controllable at the limit and boasts incredibly short braking distances.
What size are Audi A4 tires?
The 2022 Audi A4 Quattro has tire sizes of 245/40R18 93, 245/40R18 97, 245/35ZR19, 245/35R19, 245/40R18 93, and 245/40R18 97.
Which tire is best for Audi?
Grand touring tires are best for the average Audi A4 driver or those who own the less-pricey models of this sports sedan. High-performance tires are a better option for those owning pricier trims.
Conclusion
Audi A4 delights its passengers with comfortable ride quality, agile handling, and a user-friendly infotainment system. However, without the right set of tires, all these qualities would take a hit. It’s therefore imperative that you install premium tires on your Audi A4.
