Used Audi A4 Avant 2008 - 2015 review

What's the used Audi A4 like?

Audi has a good reputation for building classy wagons, and this Audi A4 Avant lives up to that. The styling is more sports hatch than load-lugger, but even so the boot is a good size and easy to load, although some rivals are slightly bigger. Unfortunately the rear seats don't fold completely flat, which makes loading longer items awkward.

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Overview

The Audi A4 Avant is a very competent, classy estate, but overall it's just beaten by the competition from BMW and Mercedes.

Pros

• Spacious
• Desirable
• Handles well

Cons

• It's poor over bumps and is potentially pricey
• The rear seats don't fold flat

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The handling is balanced and there's good grip through bends. Pity the steering can feel artificially light at times and doesn't provide more feedback. The ride is on the firm side, if not quite as stiff as that of the BMW 3 Series Touring – although the A4 Avant struggles on poor surfaces.

The interior is well laid out and spacious enough for four adults. Visibility is good, and the driver's seat is easily adjustable to suit most people. True, this car was never the class leader for fit and finish, but the interior is still built with high quality, solid feeling-materials.

Our recommendations

Which used Audi A4 should I buy?

You'll need a good reason not to consider the diesel models. The 2.0-litre TDI engines, with between 118bhp and 168bhp, are the best option - not only for availability, but for running costs and residual values, too. There's also a 2.7-litre, with 187bhp and a CVT auto gearbox, plus a quattro four-wheel-drive 237bhp 3.0-litre. There is no automatic 'box option on the 2.0-litre, but the 3.0 litre is also available with an S-tronic semi-auto gearbox.

The petrol versions start with the punchy and refined 1.8-litre TFSI, with between 118bhp and 158bhp, and a 2.0-litre version with 208bhp. Both are available with a CVT auto gearbox. The four-wheel-drive 261bhp 3.2-litre is more of a car for keen drivers, but rare on the used market.

Entry-level specification is good with stability control, electric windows all round, climate control and remote central locking, while SE adds alloy wheels, parking sensors, and upgraded stereo and cabin trim, and multi-zone climate control. The S-Line version sits on lowered sports suspension with larger alloys, plus sporty cabin trim and a body styling kit.

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