Audi A4 2.0 TDI Avant
Classy cabin and great looks are the A4’s trump cards
The Volvo V60 isn’t the only car here aiming to prove that practicality and flexibility don’t have to come at the expense of style and desirability. With its sleek lines, premium appeal and top-notch build quality, the A4 Avant
has been a firm Auto Express favourite since it first hit showrooms in 2008.
Even today, the Audi’s visual appeal is undimmed, particularly in sporty S line trim. Its low roofline, steeply raked tailgate and eye-catching detailing help it stand out from the crowd. Design highlights include the distinctive LED daytime running lights and sharp creases which run along the car’s flanks.
However, it’s the A4’s cabin that steals the show. The wraparound dashboard is beautifully constructed from top-quality materials, while the switchgear operates with slick precision. Few interiors at any price can match the Audi’s upmarket feel. Buyers are treated to a decent haul of standard kit, with cruise control, Bluetooth and xenon headlamps all included in the price.
As with the Mercedes, the chunky sports seats are trimmed in a combination of leather and cloth. Interior space is on a par with all our contenders, while opening the tailgate reveals a load bay that’s five litres larger than the C-Class’s.
More importantly, the 490-litre boot is perfectly shaped, with no awkward intrusions.
As you’d expect, there’s a 12V power supply, hooks for shopping bags and a netted load divider for when luggage is stacked to the ceiling.
An electrically powered tailgate is a £220 option. But fold the rear bench and the Avant loses a few points for practicality. Although there’s a decent 1,430 litres of carrying capacity, the floor is not completely flat. However, the loading lip is usefully low.
Despite its sporty looks, the Audi trailed the pacesetting Merc and BMW at the track.
Its 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel is smooth and refined, but it took 8.9 seconds to sprint from 0-60mph – a full 1.3 seconds slower than the C-Class. Worse still, the mid-range pace really disappoints, as the A4 trailed the less powerful Volvo in
all our in-gear tests.
S line specification promises sharp driving dynamics – and initial impressions are good. Quick steering, strong grip and powerful brakes inspire confidence, while the gearshift has a slick, positive action.
However, there’s very little feedback through the controls and the extremely firm suspension set-up causes the car to crash and thump over poorly surfaced roads.
An even stiffer set-up is available as a no-cost option.
The Audi’s chances are further hampered by its £30,620 price tag, which makes it the second most expensive car here. Worse still, the brand’s normally excellent reputation for strong resale values is dealt a blow by the Avant’s poor predicted residuals of 38.5 per cent after three years. Will this be enough to end the A4’s challenge for victory?
Details
Chart position: 3
WHY: Few estate cars can match the classy A4 Avant for eye-catching kerb appeal, while its cabin is a league apart. S line trim also promises racy driving dynamics and plenty of kit.
