Audi A4 Avant

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £19,983 to £27,308
• For : Stylish cabin, build quality, efficient engines
• Against : Expensive options, firm ride on S line cars, bland styling

Practical and stylish, the recently facelifted Audi A4 Avant is now the equal of its traditional rivals, the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. The latest models drive as well as they look, thanks to a sharper chassis and strong engine line-up. There's a range of efficient and powerful diesel engines, from a torquey 2.0-litre TDI that will return 60mpg to a smooth and powerful 3.0-litre V6. Residual values are excellent, and the A4 finished an impressive 36th in the latest Driver Power reliability survey.

Our pick: 2.0-litre TDI SE

Styling

The latest model shares its front-end styling with the A5 Coupe, complete with the neat LED lamps. While the styling of the new car closely mirrors that of its predecessor, the A4 is still a handsome and smart-looking motor. Seven-spoke alloy wheels come as standard, with another five variations available on the options list. Three trim levels are available – S, SE and S-Line. The latter adds sporty detail to the exterior and cabin.

Interior

Inside, the A4 features one of the best cabins in the class. Fit, finish and materials are all top drawer.

Driving and Performance

The Audi A4 Avant has sharp, accurate steering, although S line cars have a very firm set-up and larger alloy wheels which harm the ride. The twin-clutch DSG gearbox is excellent and a worthwhile option, as is the Audi Drive Select (ADS) system, which allows you to optimise the power steering and adjust the dampers and sharpen throttle response. You get a choice of two petrol engines - a 1.8 TFSI and a 3.2-litre. The smaller unit is turbocharged and gives the A4 a surprising turn of speed, while the thirsty 3.2-litre sounds good and is genuinely rapid. Most buyers are likely to pick one of the excellent diesels. The torquey 2.0-litre TDI unit will return over 60mpg, while the V6 3.0-litre options are smooth, powerful and serious rivals for larger petrol motors. If you really must have a petrol engine the turbocharged 1.8 TFSI and 2.0-litre TFSI are both excellent engines but the entry-level 119bhp unit can feel sluggish. Audi also offers a 330bhp S4 Avant powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6.

MPG and running costs

Strong residual values of around 50-60 per cent are some of the best in the class, while the late 2011 facelift includes stop-start and energy recuperation fitted to all cars. That means improvements to fuel economy averaging 11 per cent across the range. Best is the 2.0 TDI e which claims 65.7mpg and 112g/km. Even the high-powered 201bhp 3.0-litre V6 models are quite cheap to run, with front-wheel-drive models claiming 57.6mpg.

Practicality

The Avant serves-up an impressive 1,430 litres of carrying capacity. An electronic parking brake and Multi Media Interface screen – both first seen on the larger A6 and A8 – are fitted as standard. Other hi-tech kit available includes lane assist, a reversing camera, electric handbrake and blind spot warning system.

Safety and reliability

Thanks to a combination of six airbags and strong structure, the A4 managed to claim a five-star Euro NCAP rating for adult protection. All models feature ESP as standard, while options to consider are the hi-tech ‘Lane Assist’ and ‘Side Assist’ systems – the latter offering blind spot warning. The current-generation A4 finished an impressive 36th in our latest Driver Power reliability survey. Audi came seventh overall, and it's unlikely the facelifted A4 will tarnish the brand's reputation.

Model Variants and Specifications

• Audi A4 1.8 TFSI 120 PS £22190
• Audi A4 SE 1.8 TFSI 120 PS £23415
• Audi A4 SE 1.8 TFSI 160 PS £25080
• Audi A4 2.0 TDI 136 PS £25130
• Audi A4 S line 1.8 TFSI 120 PS £25970
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 136 PS £26355
• Audi A4 2.0 TDI 143 PS multitronic £26735
• Audi A4 Black Edition 1.8 TFSI 120 PS £27220
• Audi A4 Technik 2.0 TDI 136 PS £27270
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 170PS £27485
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TFSI 211 PS £27500
• Audi A4 S line 1.8 TFSI 160 PS £27635
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 143PS multitronic £27960
• Audi A4 Technik 2.0 TDI 170PS £28400
• Audi A4 Black Edition 1.8 TFSI 160 PS £28885
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TDI 136 PS £28910
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TDI 170PS quattro £28930
• Audi A4 SE 2.0 TFSI 211 PS quattro £29055
• Audi A4 Technik 2.0 TDI quattro 170PS £29845
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TDI 170PS £30040
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TFSI 211 PS £30055
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TDI 136 PS £30160
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TDI 143PS multitronic £30515
• Audi A4 SE 2.7 TDI £30540
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TDI 170PS £31290
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TFSI 211 PS £31305
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TDI 170PS quattro £31485
• Audi A4 S line 2.0 TFSI 211 PS quattro £31610
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TDI 143PS multitronic £31765
• Audi A4 SE 3.2 V6 FSI multitronic £32600
• Audi A4 SE 3.2 V6 FSI quattro £32675
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TDI 170PS quattro £32735
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.0 TFSI 211 PS quattro £32860
• Audi A4 SE 3.0 TDI quattro £33040
• Audi A4 S line 2.7 TDI £33095
• Audi A4 Technik 3.0 TDI quattro £33955
• Audi A4 Black Edition 2.7 TDI £34345
• Audi A4 S line 3.2 V6 FSI multitronic £35155
• Audi A4 S line 3.2 V6 FSI quattro £35230
• Audi A4 S line 3.0 TDI quattro £35595
• Audi A4 Black Edition 3.2 V6 FSI multitronic £36405
• Audi A4 Black Edition 3.2 V6 FSI quattro £36480
• Audi A4 Black Edition 3.0 TDI quattro £36845