As much as I love my 97 1.8TQMS, I was genuinely disappointed to see these results. Even the new Golf IV, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic has a better rating.<p>This testing is well respected by the European car mags such as Autocar and Car.<p>Any thoughts?<p>Phil H

We all have the car....there is nothing we can do about it....so why worry about it. I just know this car is much better in evading accidents than tons of other cars I have owned. I feel secure.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<br>

In spite of these results, however, hasn't the A4 performed commendably on crash tests in the past,placing near the top of its class? I believe this may have been discussed in this forum a while back...any opinions?<p>Dixon<br>'98 1.8TQM

It's been a while, but I remember seeing some group do tests on the A4 a while back when it first came out. It was rated one of the top ones. This was the group sponsored by the insurance agencies from what I recall. <br>In the offset crash, the foot wells were well intact etc. and so on and it was rated VERY well.<br>Audi has typically been one of the safer cars/mfg. along with the other European cars like Volvo and Mercedes. I have read incredible stories of horrific crashes in Audis where either the people walked away or survived where they probably should not have. Some of those were in A4s. <br>I don't doubt the current test...I have yet to read it, but it does surprise me. Perhaps I am living in denial, but I feel MUCH safer in this car than most cars I've driven including the ones they claim to have better ratings. Although it was an older model, my Honda Civic sedan was a flimsy piece of tin! It would amaze me if they've improved it so much that it is now much more solid than my A4! <br>-Cathleen *with the car that is better at accident avoidance maneuvers for sure! ;)

First, note the model tested was a 1997 A.4 for the UK--no passenger airbags, no side impact airbags!<p>Second, there are differences between the U.S and Euro A4s in terms of structure-as the US has different safety standards.<p>Check out the link for more info.

http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html">http://www.fia.com/homepage/selection-a.html</a></li></ul>

you won't be the first, but if I'm in an accident I want to be the one driving the European car! Almost doesn't matter what make, they just build 'em and design them stronger. That's my opinion, and don't try to use facts to sway me!<br>

That's odd when the A4 came to Cdn in the fall of<br>1996 the safety was a big plus for this car .I can't exactly remember who did the testing but the driver<br>protection was 4 stars and passenger was 5 star rating.So who do you believe is doing the right<br>testing? I don't think we'll ever really find out.<br>All I know is when I bought my A4 I wanted a safe car, and that was one of my priorities was to buy<br>a safe car and Audis have always been very solid.

I've read the report. Yes, the A4 accived only 2 stars, but you can only compare that with the other cars in it's class(BMW 323i, Merc C-class, Saab 9-3, Honda ACCORD(not Civic), VW PASSAT(not the Golf), Toyota Avensis(again not the tiny Corolla). U get my drift?? NCAP have tested cars in all segments.<br>A: Superminis(The VW Polo, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Starlet etc.)<br>B:Compact Cars(The VW Golf, Ford Escort(or Focus), Honda Civic, etc..)<br>C:Mid-size cars(the A4, 323i, C280, Saab 9-3, Volvo S40, Peugeot 406, Ford Mondeo, Citroen Xantia, Rover 600, Nissan Primera, etc.)<br>D:Executive cars(Audi A6, BMW 528i, Merc E320, Volvo S70, Saab 9-5, Toyota Camry)<p>In the c-segment all the Saab, A4, BMW, and C280 accived only two stars. While the Volvo S40 was the only car to get a full four-star verdict.<br>In the A-segment the tiny VW Polo got four stars, but it`s not even close to be as safe as a two-star A4. <br>The A6, S70, and E320 accived three stars. They are all safer cars than the four-star Polo, Golf, and S40. Geddit????<br>Don`t mention it.<p>BTW: The A4 has been tested as one of the safest cars one the road by the german car-mag Auto, Motor und Sport. <p>L-O Greve, Norway