Year-Long Review of the Audi A4 Avant Quattro

• Audi
• long-term test cars
• reviews
• crossover

Some cars just make you feel smart. And this is one of those cars. The 2.0-liter turbo delivers nearly lag-free torque that belies the engine’s size, and the six-speed automatic practically predicts your moves. It adds up to performance that’s more precise than exhilarating—almost cerebral, but in a good way. Inside the cabin, Audi has assembled one of the sharpest user interfaces. Audio, nav and climate controls are handled through the Multi Media Interface (MMI), a scroll-wheel/button combination that operates somewhat akin to a computer mouse. Once you get the hang of it, you can dial in radio stations or climate settings almost entirely by touch.

We’ve put over 10,000 miles on the Avant so far. Our first service was hassle-free, and, aside from a couple of fluky TPMS warnings, the vehicle has offered zero headaches. Driven with restraint, the Avant delivers good mileage. (But, like all turbos, it sucks fuel with abandon if you have too much fun.) And the wagon configuration handles all the cargo you can throw at it, but still feels sporty and looks sophisticated. — Jim Meigs

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The meteoric rise and precipitous fall of the SUV in mainstream popularity could mean that Americans will return to their vehicular roots: the station wagon. For decades, it was the station wagon that was charged with the humble task of hauling the family. The trend may be back, with an edge. Sport wagons offer brisk performance, smooth looks and, yes, plenty of room for stuff too. Even Cadillac is preparing an entry. Yet no car typifies this breed better than Audi’s A4 Avant. The latest A4, all new for 2009, shares much of its chassis with the sporting A5 coupe, so deft handling comes naturally. But under the hood is the real news: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with more torque than many V6s—including Audi’s own 3.2-liter V6. So, we decided to add one very hip, very black and very cool A4 Avant to our long-term fleet. Fully loaded, an A4 can creep well north of $50,000.

So, as much as we may have wanted the Drive Select system ($2950) and Adaptive Cruise Control ($2100), we left these options off the list. We did choose the navigation system ($2500) with rearview camera because this wagon will soon become our de facto hockey road-trip rig. And speaking of hauling capability, it offers 17.5 cubic feet with all the seats in place, or 50.5 cubic feet when the second-row seats are folded flat. As an SUV alternative, does the Avant make the cut? Over the course of the next year, we’ll load ours up and let you know. —Ben Stewart

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