• High quality interior bests rivals
• Airy design but breaks little new ground
• Wealth of on-board technology available

How is the quality and the layout?

Such is the level of quality of both materials and build of the A4 Avant’s interior that years on from its launch it still sets the benchmark this class. It might not look as slick as the C-Class or 3 Series, but it’s outstanding in its solidity. You’ll spot familiar Audi themes – a pared-back design with minimal fuss and a full-width air vent. Physical controls for the air conditioing? Thankfully yes.

Everywhere in the A4 Avant’s cabin that your fingers caress you’ll be impressed by the tactile qualities, from the squidgy soft-touch plastics to the exquisitely-damped switchgear – even the silver-coloured heating controls look and feel high-end to use.

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Infotainment and technology

Taking centre stage is a large 10.1-inch screen protruding from the dash, controlling all the car’s major functions via Audi’s latest operating system. It’s a simple touchscreen rather than one with haptic feedback where you can physically press down and click the whole screen – and in many ways this is a retrograde step from Audi’s older system that relied on buttons between the front seats.

It’s a good thing the menus are easy to navigate via touch, and that the screen is far easier to reach than an equivalent 3 Series. But even better news is that the voice control works very well indeed, taking very little time get used to. If that’s not for you, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work without issue, too.

Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit also features, enabling you to fully configure the instrument panel in front of you, depending on whether you’d like navigation or map info, the trip computer or more detailed journey data. It’ll take a little while to flick through all of the functions, but it’s very easy to use once acclimatised.

Comfort

• Firm front seats offer excellent support
• Plenty of room or two adults in the rear
• Still one of the best in its class for comfort

There’s plenty of adjustment in the A4 Avant’s seat and steering column, making pretty much anyone comfortable without too much difficulty. The S Line model’s sports seats are very supportive, with a particularly good lumbar setting, which is perfect for long journeys.

Which ever model you go for, the seats can initially feel a little bit too firm. There’s excellent space on offer to front and rear seat occupants, while in the rear, three adults may still feel squeezed sat abreast, though.

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