Insurance Group: 26
MPG: 62.8
CO2: 120
0-62 Mph: 8.7 secs
BHP: 161 BHP
Range: 870 miles
The less powerful 136 version might be a more economical option, especially for company car drivers as it is cheaper and still performs well. For those who don’t drive very much, the petrol version will be a better bet as it is cheaper and the diesel will pay off only if given enough mileage.
PROS: An ultra efficient engine, with low CO2 emissions which mean less tax. The SE is a good value for money trim option, as it comes with most of the equipment of the pricier S line version.
CONS: The diesel is more expensive than the petrol version and if you don’t cover a lot of mileage, the extra cost might not pay for itself. The smaller engine (136) is cheaper too and performs very well, with just a little less power than the 163.
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 car, but has good grip and handling, with the four-wheel-drive offering much more stability than the two-wheel-drive versions. The suspension however, can be a little uncomfortable.
The engine is 1968cc and uses diesel fuel with a fuel tank capacity of 63 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 TDIe 163 SE has a 161bhp engine delivering 280lb-ft of torque at 1750-2500rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 134mph.
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 SE trim comes with power steering, climate control, stability control, 17 inch 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.
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 Avant sits four adults comfortably and is definitely one of the best for space in its class. The leg and head room in the back is very generous.
Fuel economy is great for the A4 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TDIe 163 SE model costs £28,775 and has a combined economy of 62.8mpg and CO2 emission rate of 120g/km. These figures are exceptionally good and will mean particularly low running costs.
The SE trim is much better value for money than the S line as it comes with everything you need in the cabin and the S line version does not improve much except to add sport suspension, leather/cloth seats as standard and larger alloys.
The Audi A4 is much cheaper than its rivals, such as BMW and Mercedes and the resale value on the A4 Avant is great. Audi promise good service and reliability as well.
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