Autocar - First for car news and reviews

What is it?

The best selling model in the new A4 range. The 143bhp 2.0TDi will take a shade under half of all A4 sales thanks to being the best all-rounder in the range, combining good performance and fuel economy with Audi's usual attributes of quality cabin, solid build and the in the new A4, a more spacious cabin.

As well as the new skin, the new A4 is substantially new underneath, featuring a new chassis platform, suspension and bodywork. Bigger in all three key dimens...Read the full article

Audi has seriously upped its game over the past 3 to 4yrs and addressed any weakness it has against BMW the class leader in the small exec saloon market. Particularly they've improved the dead feel of the driving experience and combined with their Quattro option look to be surpasssing BMW standards.

The other factor is design. While BMW have prevaricated over the controversial Bangle design era and failed to send him home to California. Audi have struck and overtaken BM on interior design and match BM on exteriors.

Will this 2ltr TDi match BMW's silky uber-efficient diesels? I recently hired a 1.9ltr TDi and from the French coast to Paris and back (600+ miles) it cost a paltry £65 to fuel. Amazing! 

Still very bland in the looks department though.

Why is it you have to compromise on something on all these cars?

I drive an 06 plate A4 Avant and was looking at buying a new one before the end of the year but dont know whether to change to a merc c class, what would you suggest. 

leo38:

I drive an 06 plate A4 Avant and was looking at buying a new one before the end of the year but dont know whether to change to a merc c class, what would you suggest. 

What are your buying criteria?  A4 Avant is a nice choice, but there are a load of similar cars apart from the A4 and C Class.  You could:

- stick to estates - go for a Subaru Legacy

- move to a big saloon - go for a Skoda VRs

- get a 4x4 - I like the Land Rover Discovery

leo38:

I drive an 06 plate A4 Avant and was looking at buying a new one before the end of the year but dont know whether to change to a merc c class, what would you suggest

I cant believe im saying this (as an Audi fan) but id say go for the C-Class. Its definately the better looker. Also, all roadtests i have read say it is a better handler than the A4 and some even say better built. Autocar put the saloon above the 3-Series.

If you're planning on a diesel then wait for the forthcoming new common-rail 2.1 diesel engine. Vastly superior to Mercs' current offerings

Please don't. I am on my fourth and hopefully my last. Very  boring , I have C220 CDI Advatangarde with Sports pack-e.g paddle shifts on wheel. No power and struggling to get 30 mpg(average over 19000 miles 31.2mpg)

Its a well buit car that has no 'soul'

In before the lock!