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Audi A4 Avant (2008-) Review

Category: Compact Executive 3 out of 5

Summary of the Audi A4 Avant (2008-)

Price Range: No data available

Assets

Good-looking; attractive interior; turbo petrol engines.

Drawbacks

Not hugely roomy; overlight steering; extra-cost S-line suspension necessary for a sporting drive.

Verdict

A great drive with the right suspension and steering set-ups, rather nondescript otherwise.

Audi A4 Avant Review

Comfort and Equipment4 out of 5

Despite the stiffer suspension and larger wheels, the sportier, lower-riding models actually ride better - the softer-sprung versions are prone to wallowing on corners, with a rebound from their springs, and do not seem any better at absorbing bumps or broken surfaces.

The engines are all quiet - though the 3.0 TDI can grumble - and wind, tyre and road noise are all kept to minimal levels. The A4's very nicely insulated.

It's not terribly roomy, however, despite Audi claiming best-in-class interior space. Items such as large central consoles, storage boxes and armrests all eat into the cabin. The slope of the windscreen and tailgate limit headroom (or the sense of headroom) and the manually-adjustable front seats do not slide back very far. Though this is a much bigger car than earlier A4s, it doesn't feel any roomier. Rear legroom is adequate for adults, but not great, and the boot is wide but not super-deep; the rear seats split and fold virtually flat, but do not tumble or slide.

Standard equipment includes climate control, front and rear electric windows, the irritating new Volkswagen Group electronic handbrake (what's wrong with a lever?), a CD player with MP3 compatibility (but no iPod input socket) and 16-inch alloys. SE models add auto headlamps and wipers, 17-inch alloys, three-zone climate control and bright-finish roof rails, an uprated stereo with colour display (still no iPod input), rear parking sensors and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

S-line models add, besides the lowered suspension and larger 18-inch wheels, part-leather seats, xenon headlights with washers and sported-up trim with matt-brushed aluminium details, different bumpers, roof spoiler and side skirts.

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Audi A4 Avant Comfort and Equipment Statistics

 

Audi A4 Avant Versions

More about the Audi A4 Avant

Best Compact Executive Cars

alt text here
Winner:
BMW 3-Series
First runner up:
Audi A4
Second runner up:
Alfa Romeo 159

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