By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

To get the full benefit of the subtle styling changes of the all-new Audi A4 you will have to park the 2017 next to the 2016 version. It's still conservatively handsome in an Audi sort of way, but under the skin the differences are many — the new model is more powerful with improved fuel economy, has been endowed with a very attractive reworked interior, features spacious quarters for second-row passengers, and sports an array of new safety and technology components.

We found the new sedan — Audi's answer to the popular BMW 3-Series — impeccably quiet at any speed. Wind noise, road noise — all things of the past. Lexus, the king of silence, could use the new Audi as a benchmark for future vehicles.

With all the advances in refinement and technology, perhaps the most striking feature of the 2017 A4 is its drivetrain — the only one offered in the U.S. at the outset — which puts the compact car clearly in sports sedan territory. The heart and soul of the Audi is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque mated to a quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic that replaces a conventional eight-speed.

The new engine is a variation of the award winning 2.0-liter four-cylinder that has powered the A4 for several years — an engine that we have very much liked.

The reworked engine makes 32 more horsepower and an additional 15 pound-feet of torque than last-year's version. And the newly found power is clearly in evidence directed through the new transmission that provides instantaneous shifts with minimal turbo lag on takeoff. Performance can be enhanced using the sport mode, which in the Quattro version (four-wheel drive) has been measured at 5.2 seconds from 0-to-60 and at 13.9 seconds at 100 mph in the quarter mile. Without the superior traction provided by the Quattro model, the standard front-drive version has a 0-to-60 time of 6.1 seconds, according to Audi.

Here's the thing — fuel economy does not suffer because of the exhilarating performance. It's EPA-measured at 24 mpg city, 31 highway and 27 combined in the A4 Quattro (25/33/28 in front-wheel drive).

Not only is the A4 as quick as a cat in passing and merging maneuvers encountered on a daily drive, it provides grins on those winding back road jaunts because of the added traction of all-wheel drive as it is hustled through the turns. At the same time, it possesses a very pleasant, pleasing ride. And as incredible as it seems, the A4 equipped with summer tires can come to a stop from 60 mph in 99 feet.

All in all we think the new A4 is very engaging. The interior feels spacious with first-class materials and impeccable fit and finish. The center console is wide much like those found in a bigger, more expensive Audis. The gauges are clear and switchgear such as the turn signal stalk is solid and offers a satisfying click.

One of the really neat features of our test car are center speedometer and tachometer gauges that could be configured either in full-size format or a smaller version allowing the screen behind the gauges to be expanded to 12.3-inches with a detailed Google map. Audi calls it the virtual cockpit. It's very intriguing and extremely useful having a large navigation screen behind the steering wheel directly in front of the driver. Once we turned it on, we never left home without the huge virtual screen blazing away in front of us. The standard information and navigation screen is mounted high in the center of the dashboard.

We applaud Audi for making a lot of technology, safety equipment and convenience features standard, something automakers are loath to do even in the entry-level luxury segment. Most of the newest stuff is bundled into relatively high-cost options; something Audi doesn’t do. For instance, Audi has made such things standard as pedestrian and vehicle collision warning and braking, rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather seating surfaces, tri-zone climate control, Audi's MMI infotainment system with seven-inch center display, a 10-speaker audio system with CD player and two USB ports, and a sunroof.

The A4 comes in three trim levels — Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige — starting at $38,250 including destination charge. Our top-of-the line Prestige Quattro stickered for $50,750 with virtually all the good stuff Audi offers on the A4 including a 755-watt 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system. And if you want what the Prestige offers, but are willing to give up Quattro for front-wheel drive, you can save nearly $4,000 at $46,850.

Essentials
Base price: $38,250; as driven, $50,750
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 252 @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 273 foot-pounds @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Drive: four wheel
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 111 inches
Length: 186.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,626 pounds
Turning circle: 38.1 feet
Luggage capacity: 13 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 15.3 gallons (premium)
EPA rating: 24 city, 31 highway, 27 combined
0-60: 5.2 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: BMW 3-Series, Cadillac ATS, Mercedes C-Class

The Good
• Cutting-edge safety, technology
• Strong turbocharged engine
• Top-quality interior
• Spacious backseat

The Bad
• Only one engine available

The Ugly
• Nothing ugly about this car