The Avant is more crucial to Audi‘s A4 range than the equivalent BMW or Mercedes wagons. That’s because while the 3-series Touring and C-class estates account for around a fifth of sales, Avants account more than 40%.
So the new one is a big deal. We’ve already driven the manual version of the 2.0 TDI, so this was a chance to try the multitronic auto that a surprisingly high number of buyers opt for, given the £1450 price premium on this £26,025 SE version. But though it’s good enough, the cheaper, cleaner and slick-shifting manual would be preferable.
Otherwise, the A4 Avant is a good-looking and practical estate. It beats both its German rivals for boot space with the rear seats up, just losing to the C-class when they’re folded. Nice touches also include a luggage cover that can be raised to help load taller objects, and one-touch folding rear seats.
VERDICT: Stylish Avant will maintain the popularity of the A4 wagon, but manual version comfortably beats the multitronic’s 51.5 pence per mile figure.
