Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI 120 SE 5dr Review

For This engine makes for a cheap Avant, and you don't sacrifice any style or practicality. SE is our favourite package of equipment, with three-zone climate control and 17-inch alloys.

Against If you regularly carry heavy loads, you may want a stronger engine. The 160 version of this engine brings useful extra power and performance with no penalty in fuel economy.

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

A good package. Just make sure that the engine is strong enough to cope with all you will ask of it - you may need something a bit stronger if you regularly fill your car.

What Car? readers say

4.166667

Key facts

0–60mph: 10.8 secs
Top speed: 124 mph
Average mpg: 42.8
Tank range: 612 miles

See all running costs

Features

See all equipment

Size

See all measurements

View the whole Audi A4 Avant range

The full Audi A4 review

Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Even the smaller engines have decent power
Ride & Handling
3 out of 5 stars
Although it doesn't live up to Audi's billing as a
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Wind noise lets the side down
Buying & Owning
4 out of 5 stars
Competitive on price and running costs
Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Fine, but disappointing for an Audi
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Plenty to keep you and your kit safe
Behind The Wheel
3 out of 5 stars
Fussy dash, offset pedals, but a fine view
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
One of the most practical in its class
Equipment
3 out of 5 stars
Reasonably equipped, but no better

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

As on the saloon, you shouldn’t expect to get much more than a few hundred pounds discount on an Audi A4 Avant. However, the good news is that means that residual values are among the strongest in the class, especially on the smaller-engined diesel models.

Audi is rightly renowned for its diesels, and these are certainly the best engines in the range. However, do your sums carefully before buying one, as you’ll need to do a high annual mileage to recoup their higher (than the equivalent petrol models’) list prices through the lower fuel bills.

Similarly, we don’t think it’s worth paying for the most expensive V6 petrol or 3.0-litre TDI models, as they have the least impressive fuel economy and the lowest residuals.

However, given that this Avant model may have to carry heavy loads or, perhaps, tow, those engines’ all-wheel drive makes more sense here than on other A4s.

Reader test team says:

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI S/S quattro SE 5dr

I have owned the car from new and have had a number of Audi Quattro’s before, on the whole I am very pleased with the car, its been very reliable (in…

Mark Bon

4 out of 5 stars