29/04/09

• Price29,080
• We like...Space, drive, cabin
• We don't...Expensive; seats don't fold flat

A classy, prestige estate that, we believe, drives better than the A4 saloon. Worth paying that extra for? You betOnce, estate cars often looked an after-thought. You got a strong feeling that with many, the design and engineering budgets got spent on making the saloon version of a new model look and drive right. Then, when the estate’s turn came, just pennies remained and the job fell to the work-experience guy to complete.

No more. For us and the new Audi A4, the story felt the other way around. The Avant (estate) version we spent a week with felt sweeter to drive, better composed and more all of-a-piece than we remembered of the saloon A4.

Although this is the smallest estate Audi makes, it’s a big, spacious car, taking up almost as much road space as the previous-generation A6. It’s a heavy beast, and it is surprising that this dsn’t harm fuel economy or engine power unduly. But it ds let it roll down the road serenely, even if you opt for the S-line model that comes with lowered suspension and big alloy wheels clad in skinny-sided tyres – a package that on some other cars makes for a teeth-rattling ride.

Audi has decades-long experience of putting four-wheel drive systems into ‘ordinary’ saloons and estates. And it now gives a set-up that feels ‘normal’ so that you can’t exactly feel it working but which also makes the Avant feel very, very ‘planted’ on the road – as if there’s somehow a magnet sticking its wheels downwards.

It makes for a very relaxed, comfortable ride, but the car also feeds plenty back to the driver, feeling alert and sharp as you string together bends. It’s also a tremendous car to sit in. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: Audi ds cabins better than any other at its price. Each element is carefully chosen to project sober, effortless cool, and it hangs together really well.

Where past A4 models could be tight for space in the back this latest ds well enough, and its load space with the seats up or down beats that in a BMW 3-series but loses out to the Mercedes C-class. The rear seats don’t fold completely flat, however, leaving an awkward hump across the load area.

The 168bhp turbodiesel engine in the car tested is, for us, the pick of the range and well suited to the likely uses that an estate will serve, giving lots of low-revs shove when needed but also sipping at fuel while keeping exhaust emissions at sensible levels.
Audi prices are steep – matching those of its BMW and Mercedes-Benz rivals – while optional extras can add greatly to the cost. Our car packed in £10,000-worth, including a sat-nav system costing close on £2k, an opening, full-length glass roof costing £1000 and a parking system with rear camera that adds another £1000.

We could live without most of ‘em, especially the heated front seats, which are so complicated to work, it’s almost scary.
If you’re considering an A4, try the Avant along with the saloon. Even if, strictly, you don’t need its extra space and usefulness, you may find yourself wanting to pay the extra over the regular four-door, just because you prefer its looks and drive. We do.

To view and buy new and second-hand A4 Avants, click on motors.co.uk

• Engines2.0 diesel
• Power168bhp
• 0-60 mph8.6secs
• Economy50.4mpg
• CO2g/km149
• Insurance groups14
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags6
• Seats5

Motors.co.uk value verdict: