Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi A4 3.0 TDI Avant

Facelift puts classy Audi A4 Avant in contention

A sleek shape and classy cabin give the Audi lots of showroom appeal, while the four-wheel-drive chassis and strong engine make it good to drive. Unfortunately, the boot isn’t as big as its rivals’, while the S line version suffers from a stiff ride.

Few manufacturers can rival Audi’s tradition for producing classy, versatile estates. The brand’s sleek Avant models have been setting the standard for decades with their mix of style, desirability and practicality – and the latest A4 is no exception.

Advertisement - Article continues below

A recent facelift has helped keep the Audi A4 Avant looking fresh, with the revised grille and new-look headlights the most obvious changes. Eye-catching 18-inch alloys and a subtle bodykit are standard on the sporty S line, as are the LED daytime running lights.

As you’d expect, the A4’s cabin is beautifully crafted. It’s not as stylish as the BMW inside, but the fit and finish is first rate. It’s easy to get comfortable, as there’s plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment, while standard kit includes leather, Bluetooth and a 10-speaker stereo – although an iPod connection is £255.

There’s little to separate our trio for cabin space, but passengers in the Audi’s rear get a bit more head and legroom than in the Mercedes. With the rear seats in place, the A4’s 490-litre carrying capacity is only five litres down on the BMW. However, once its 60:40 rear bench is folded, the Audi’s 1,430-litre load area is 70 litres shy of the 3 Series’.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

A4

2018 Audi

A4

46,860 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £14,399
View A4
A4

2019 Audi

A4

19,255 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £16,899
View A4
A4

2023 Audi

A4

43,427 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,197
View A4
A4

2022 Audi

A4

27,567 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £20,370
View A4

Still, the boot is well shaped, with a low loading lip, plus there are lots of handy shopping bag hooks, a 12v power socket and extra underfloor storage.

Our test car was also fitted with the optional load area fixing kit, which features a telescopic load fixing bar and belt that slot into rails in the boot floor. The set-up costs £155, but it’s well worth the extra outlay.

Elsewhere in the cabin, there’s plenty of family friendly storage, including the deep door bins, cavernous glovebox and lidded cubby between the front seats.

Just like the BMW, the Audi serves up equal measures of practicality and performance. Its 242bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel is the least powerful here, but the four-wheel-drive traction and a seven-speed gearbox meant the A4 needed just 5.9 seconds to sprint from 0-60mph.

The Avant feels equally responsive in-gear, although the dual-clutch gearbox isn’t as smooth as the 3 Series’ eight-speed auto.

Away from the track, the Audi is poised and planted in corners, its quattro all-wheel drive providing plenty of grip. However, the direct steering doesn’t seem as natural and well weighted as the BMW’s, while the suspension thuds into potholes and fidgets on motorways – the supple C-Class is a more comfortable companion. Still, the Audi’s cabin is well insulated from wind and road noise.

The car’s Achilles heel is its high price and running costs. At £38,395, it’s the most expensive of our trio, while its residuals of 39.7 per cent are the weakest. Factor in high servicing costs and less-than-brilliant fuel economy, and the A4 faces an uphill battle.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A4

Audi A4

RRP £32,725Used from £14,999
Audi A6

Audi A6

RRP £39,640Avg. savings £7,364 off RRP*Used from £16,783
Mercedes C Class
BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series

RRP £52,195Avg. savings £6,739 off RRP*Used from £31,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025