Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro S line S tronic 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £39,550
Tax Band: G
Insurance Group: 34
MPG: 47.9
CO2: 154
0-62 Mph: 6.1 secs
BHP: 242 BHP
Range: 643 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The diesel engine, though very efficient, is not as economical as it could be because of its huge size. The engine gives a great performance, but it is a bit lost on the practical estate car and a more economical option would be to go for the very efficient diesel 2.0 litre engine, which still has loads of power.

The S line trim only offers sport suspension (which is quite uncomfortable) and larger alloys as well as a few style additions to the more reasonably priced SE trim.

The four-wheel-drive option also adds to the price and might not be worth it, depending on how much you need it.

PROS:  The 3.0 V6 engine is a great performer and fairly efficient.

CONS:  The S line trim is more money than it is really worth and the four-wheel-drive increases the price further. The 3.0 litre engine might be more power than you need in the practical A4 estate and it doesn’t allow the diesel to be as efficient as it is in the 2.0 litre version. The sport suspension is quite uncomfortable.

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 much more stability than the two-wheel-drive versions. The suspension however, can be a little uncomfortable.

The engine is 2967cc and uses diesel fuel with a fuel tank capacity of 61 litres. There is a seven-speed S Tronic automatic 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 3.0 TDI Quattro S line S Tronic has a 242bhp engine delivering 368lb-ft of torque at 1400-3250rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds with a top speed of 155mph.

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 S line trim comes with cloth/leather seats power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including 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 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 in very generous.

Value for Money

The running costs are good with the A4 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 3.0 TDI Quattro S line S Tronic model costs £38,390 and has a combined economy of 47.9mpg and CO2 emission rate of 154g/km.

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 four-wheel-drives bumps up the price, so if you don’t need them, the two-wheel-drive still has good handling.

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

Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro S line S tronic 5dr Car Review - by 
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