USED Audi A6 Avant (04 - 11)

The A6 Avant is big in every way: big on space, prestige, equipment and power. It has everything you’d expect of an executive cruiser, with added practicality.

Five adults will be perfectly comfortable in the cabin, thanks to generous head, leg and shoulder space all-round and a multi-adjustable driving position.

Central to the Avant’s appeal is its big boot. With the rear seats in place, it can hold 565 litres; fold them down, and the load bay expands to swallow 1660 litres – plenty of space for a family’s holiday luggage.

Its handling is pretty impressive, too. The Audi changes direction sharply, resists body roll and grips the road strongly. Front- and four-wheel-drive versions are available, along with optional self-levelling air suspension – useful for those who carry heavy loads on a regular basis. The standard car’s ride feels firm over poor surfaces, though.

Most engines are strong, although the base 2.0 petrol and 2.0 turbodiesel feel slightly short of puff and struggle to pull the Avant when fully loaded. The 2.4 V6 is stronger, but the 3.2 V6 petrol is a better bet. It’s smooth and provides strong pulling power over a wide rev range, as do the 2.7 and 3.0 V6 turbodiesels.

The 4.2 V8 petrol is hugely powerful and sounds great, while the direct-injection 4.2 V8 is punchier still, yet is more fuel-efficient.

Our favourite is the 3.0 V6 diesel, which comes with Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive, as it has the best balance between power and economy. Stick with entry-level SE trim, which should provide all the equipment you need: climate control, cruise control, alloys, a CD player, traction control and automatic headlights and wipers. S-line versions have stiffened suspension and sportier cabin trim.

The diesel models are by far the most efficient – the 2.0 TDI has an official average of 46.0mpg, the 2.7 TDI manages 39.8mpg and the 3.0 V6 TDI 34.9mpg.

The 2.0 petrol returns a reasonable 34.5mpg, while the 2.4 V6 and 3.2 V6 FSI return an average 28.2mpg. Pick a larger-capacity petrol and you’ll struggle to see 25mpg, though.

Insurance ratings are pretty high, ranging from group 15 for the base 2.0, to group 18 for the 4.2 V8s. Take your A6 to be repaired at an Audi dealer and you’ll need to be prepared for big bills, too: labour rates are among the highest around, although not usually as high as those charged by BMW and Merc dealers. You should be able to save a fair amount by using an independent specialist instead.

Audi has traditionally high standards of assembly in its cabins, and the A6 certainly doesn’t let the side down. Appearances are backed up by reports from owners, too – the car performed well in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, receiving praise for its interior and exterior build quality.

The car is too new for us to have learned much about its reliability, but we expect the engines to be durable if they're serviced correctly. However, some owners have reported that the engines and transmissions were below par, and if previous A6 models are anything to go by, the latest model’s suspension and brakes could be vulnerable to faults – and the subsequent repair bills would be big.

It’s essential to only buy a car that’s completely free from signs of abuse and which comes with a full Audi service history. Looked after well, these cars can run and run.