Audi A4 Avant (08 on) - Review

There's plenty of room in the back for two, or three at a pinch, with decent legroom and good head and shoulder room. On the move it's quiet, with engine noise barely noticeable, even under heavy acceleration. The air conditioning cools quickly, while in the back there are reading lights, a power supply and a double cupholder that pops-out from the pull-down centre armrest. The ride quality is excellent, absorbing potholes with ease and giving the A4 Avant a cosseting feel on the motorway.

The boot is a decent size (490 litres with the seats up and 1,430 with them folded down) and easily large enough for a family of four. The seats also split and fold flat for a very large load area plus there's an optional 'Storage Pack' - straps in the back to help stop items such as shopping from rolling around. A load area mat is another extra - it's reversible - one side is carpet, while the other is wipe-clean and ideal for dogs or muddy boots. Up front there are cupholders, a large glovebox and door bins big enough for one-litre bottles. An electrically operated tailgate is also available.

The driving position is highly adjustable, making it comfortable for most drivers. The seat moves in a number of ways and the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach. All the controls are easy to use on the move, though some owners may find that Audi's MMI system - which brings the sat nav, ventilation and telephone controls (among others) under the control of one dial on the centre console - takes time to get used to. All-round visibility is good and overtaking can be assisted by specifying 'Side Assist' - a flashing orange LED on the wing mirror alerts you when there's a car in your blind spot. All cars have an electronic button-operated (rather than a pull-up) handbrake.