Audi A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI quattro 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £31,485
Tax Band: H
Insurance Group: 30
MPG: 39.2
CO2: 169
0-62 Mph: 6.8 secs
BHP: 208 BHP
Range: 526 miles
CarSite Verdict:  4/5
The A4 Allroad is a great four-wheel-drive car in a practical estate body, which has loads of room and space in the boot. The petrol engine is not as efficient as the diesel engine and the car itself is quite overpriced considering its similarity to the cheaper A4 Avant.

However, the car handles really well thanks to the four-wheel-drive and the engine is powerful and strong.

PROS:  A great four-wheel-drive car in the practical estate body of the A4 Allroad. A powerful engine and the four-wheel-drive means perfect handling.

CONS:  There is a big price jump between the A4 Allroad and the A4 Avant and the diesel engine is much more efficient.

Behind the Wheel

The petrol engine does not suit the A4 as well as the diesel, as it needs far more revs to get going. The car is not a particularly sporty one, but has good grip and handling, with the four-wheel-drive offering loads of stability. The suspension however, can be a little uncomfortable.

The engine is 1984cc and uses unleaded petrol with a fuel tank capacity of 61 litres. There is a six-speed manual gearbox, which provides smooth acceleration.

Although the cabin is quiet with little road and suspension noise, there is still quite a bit of wind noise around the wing mirrors.

The 2.0 TFSI Quattro has a 208bhp engine delivering 258lb-ft of torque at 1500-4200rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 143mph.

Looks & Equipment

The interior of the A4 is a little bit of a disappointment, as it feels a little cheaper than an Audi normally does.

The seat and steering wheel adjust comfortably, although the pedals are set off to the right, which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances. The controls are straightforward and without too much complication, but the dash is a bit cluttered. Rear view visibility is good thanks to a large back window.

The 2.0 TFSI Quattro comes with power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including leather seats for £1315, satellite navigation for £1620 and metallic paint for £615.

For fuel economy, the A4 has a start/stop system and electromechanical power steering as standard, which allows for great efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The A4 comes with stability control, electronic brake force distribution, with twin front and side airbags as standard, although without the hatchback’s full-length curtain airbag. The immobiliser and alarm add to security.

The boot is sizeable offering 490 litres with the rear seats up and 1430 litres with the seats folded down (although they don’t fold down completely). The A4 Allroad sits four adults comfortably and is definitely one of the best for space in its class. The leg and head room in the back in very generous.

Value for Money

The running costs are good with the A4 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TFSI Quattro model costs £31,475 and has a combined economy of 39.2mpg and CO2 emission rate of 169g/km.

The A4 Allroad is priced higher than the A4 Avant and there is not that much between them in terms of performance. An A4 Avant or the 2.0 litre diesel Allroad makes much more financial sense.

The Audi A4 is much cheaper than its rivals, such as BMW and Mercedes and the resale value on the A4 Allroad is great so it is a worthwhile investment. Audi promise good service and reliability as well.

Audi A4 allroad quattro 2.0 TFSI quattro 5dr Car Review - by 
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