Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI 2012 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $60,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Technik package $4077 [MMI navigation, Xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors]; Comfort package $2539 [electric front seats with lumbar support, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and go, auto-dimming interior mirror]
Crash rating: Five-star
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 4.9
CO2 emissions (g/km): 129
Also consider:  BMW 3 Series Touring ($62,900), Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate ($62,900)

It’s an undeniable if inconvenient truth that the SUV has replaced the humble wagon as the vehicle of choice for a great many Australian families. But not everyone wants or needs the SUV’s high-riding stance and mooted, if modest, offroad ability. For these people rumours of the station wagon’s demise have, fortunately, been greatly exaggerated.

Spending a week behind the wheel of Audi's recently facelifted A4 Avant reminded us again of the many joys of pedalling a low-set, car-based load lugger.

Launched locally in June 2012 and driven here with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the new-look A4 carried out its family transport duties with quiet confidence. The diesel sipped thriftily from its 63-litre tank, the interior comfortably accommodated our nuclear family (plus a motherload of luggage), and the chassis responded faithfully to yours truly's demands of winding coastal roads en route to a weekend beach retreat.

The A4 Avant also proved an affable companion on the daily commute either side of little break.

But before dealing with the mundane realities of everyday life, let’s cut to the exciting stuff. The A4 Avant’s dynamic attributes are mightily impressive – the wagon grips and turns well, holds a nice, flat attitude when cornering and generally inspires confidence that it can be pushed hard without biting.

It rarely feels twitchy or unpredictable and this composure is achieved without the benefits of fancy self-adjusting dampers or sports suspension.

Factor in a well-sorted ride that is slightly improved over its predecessor for ride comfort in particular, and the A4 Avant proves very easy to live with.

Like most modern Audi's, steering is not best in class – BMW's resolution is better – but its ultra-lightness comes to the fore in tight situations, such as when parking or commuting.

Audi's continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) may lack the soul of a conventional auto, but it’s the best system of its type we've tested and definitely simplifies driving duties.

The CVT combined well with the quiet and refined four-cylinder diesel and standard stop-start ignition system to return a final figure of 6.4L/100km over 450km of driving. That’s only slightly higher than the manufacturer's Combined ADR figure of 4.9L/100km.

This engine has more to offer than fuel-efficiency, too. Its impressive 130kW/380Nm outputs helping it despatch the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1sec while energetically chirping its front wheels from a standing start.  

The cabin is well finished and the ergonomics sound. The layout is logical and controls well weighted. Audi’s MMI infotainment input system deserves special mention here for its consistently intuitive interface.

There are plenty of top-end technologies on offer, such as adaptive lane control and radar-based cruise control, but you'll need an extra $1900 to add them. An extra $1050 buys a handy electrically operated tailgate.

Boot space of 490 litres is only 10 litres more than the sedan, but with the rear seat folded that grows to 1430 litres, comfortably eclipsing the sedan's 962 litres.

The only complaint about the load area is that it's a little narrow, but the carpet of the boot floor is removable and can be reversed for messy jobs, revealing a durable plastic surface that’s easier to clean. Other practical touches include hidden storage cubbies under the boot floor, bag hooks and tie downs in the cargo area.

Styling wise, the new Audi A4 Avant gets an update to its (optional) LED daytime running lights that give the car an assertive gaze that's hard to ignore, but the overall shape is consistent with its forerunner.

A subtle improvement over its predecessor, especially in terms of ride comfort and fuel efficiency, the A4 is not the most affordable midsized wagon on the market but it’s a high-tech prestige car that drives as smoothly and quietly as anything out there and has badge kudos to boot.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…