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Estate
In the cabin, everything you see and touch looks great and feels rock-solid. Drivers have plenty of space and the seat and wheel fine-tune perfectly for fit.
Rear space is good, too, though sitting three adults abreast is tight. The boot isn't huge, but dropping the rear chairs to free extra space is neat and easy.
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The A4 handles tidily, although the steering feels numb, while the manual gearbox is smooth and well weighted. Auto gearboxes are first-rate. The ride is supple, although the suspension can't smother the nastiest road scars. It's worse still with the optional alloys and ultra-shallow tyres, which look sharp but transmit every bump to the cabin. The Avant is hushed at speed, with wind and road roar kept to a minimum, although the engines, particularly the diesels, are audible. A four-star occupant safety rating from Euro NCAP is acceptable but not class-leading. However, just one star for pedestrian protection is poor.
Running Costs
Audi dealers charge a fortune for repairs, but visit an independent specialist and the hourly labour rate halves. It's worth paying extra for genuine Audi parts, though. The car monitors its oil, coolant and brakes and tells you when a service is due. Expect up to 15,000 miles between visits. Insurance groups vary from group 10 to 20, but most models fall into groups 12 or 14. Fuel economy is good: diesels promise 40mpg, although the 3.2 struggles to better 20mpg.
Convertible
It's good-looking and impressive, inside and out, leagues ahead of the old Audi cabrio, which used a chassis and running gear dating from the 1980s. Audi combines chrome highlights, high-quality plastics and plush fabrics to make an interior that begs you to spend time in it. Its electric hood operates tidily, but also keeps out the elements when you need it to. There's proper space for four adults and a rarity, there is enough room in the boot for their luggage. The dash is very clear, and the wheel and driver's seat adjust finely in every conceivable way. You can even raise or lower the roof on the move but only at speeds up to 20mph. The A4 cabrio's not thrilling to drive, but it does everything competently, especially on models from 2006 onwards, which had suspension changes that made them more engaging to drive. The ride is composed, although deep ruts can catch it out.
Running Costs
They're expensive to buy, but lose value slowly, which keeps whole-life costs down. Servicing costs are as for other A4s, and middling for a compact executive car. Using a reputable Audi specialist rather than a main dealer slices a third off labour rates. Spares are expensive and Audis aren't as reliable as you might expect, so set aside a sizeable budget once the car is a few years old. Insurance is no dearer than it is for an A4 saloon. The 1.8T, 2.0T FSi and 2.0 diesel fall within group 15, the 3.0 diesel and 3.2 petrol are group 17 and the S4 is group 20. The 2.0 TDi is that rare thing, a soft-top that promises up to 44mpg, and the 3.0 TDi manages up to 35mpg. Of the petrols, the 1.8T and 2.0T FSi should return up to 33mpg, while the 3.2 posts 25mpg and the S4 20mpg.
Saloon
The A4 saloon is one of those cars that’s more rewarding to own than to drive. Don’t get us wrong it drives very well; it’s just that it’s even better to own. For a start, the cabin is crisp, contemporary and oozes quality. The materials are high class and there’s all the equipment you need, including plenty of safety equipment. It’s roomy, too, but the transmission tunnel robs the middle rear passenger of some comfort, so think of it as a spacious four-seater. The boot is a decent size the same as a 3 Series’ and fractionally bigger than a C-Class's. You’ll find most versions are refined long-distance haulers and cushion you adequately from bumps and potholes, although not quite as well as the C-Class. Both front-wheel-drive and quattro four-wheel-drive versions are grippy and turn in smartly to corners, but the steering could do with more feel.
Running Costs
The A4 should cost you less to maintain than a BMW 3 Series, Jaguar X-Type, Lexus IS and Mercedes C-Class. What’s more, many of the engines and underpinnings are shared by other cars within the Volkswagen Group, so you’re likely to find a competent independent garage who could save you a fair amount on franchised dealer labour rates. Insurance costs are good compared to those of its rivals, too. The cheapest to insure, the 1.6-litre, slots into group 10, but you’ll need big pockets for the RS4 and slightly less extreme S4, which are group 20. The frugal engines contribute to low running costs but, best of all, the A4 holds its value well as it ages, so you won’t be in for a nasty shock when you come to resell it. You can see why we said earlier that it’s even more rewarding to own than to drive.