Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI (143ps) S line 5dr Car Review - March 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £30,810
Tax Band: D
Insurance Group: 23
MPG: 60.1
CO2: 124
0-62 Mph: 9.5 secs
BHP: 141 BHP
Range: 833 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.75/5
The 2.0 TDI 143 S line is a great car with loads of power and great driveability. The S line is more expensive that it’s really worth because it doesn’t offer much more than the SE apart from sport suspension (which is actually a bit uncomfortable) and style additions like leather/cloth seats as standard.

The engine is only a little pricier than the 120 version, but the performance is noticeably better.

The A4 Avant is a great, practical car with loads of room for passengers and in the boot and the diesel engine is ultra efficient and will save loads of running costs and in tax due to the low CO2 emissions.

PROS:  A great engine and a practical car with loads of space to offer. The diesel engine is highly efficient and will save lots on running costs.

CONS:  The S line trim is an unnecessary expense and the sport suspension is quite uncomfortable.

Behind the Wheel

The petrol engine does not suit the A4 as well as the diesel as it needs far more revs to get going. The car is not a particularly sporty one, but has good grip and handling, with the four-wheel-drive offering much more stability than the two-wheel-drive versions. The suspension however, can be a little uncomfortable.

The engine is 1968cc and uses diesel fuel with a fuel tank capacity of 63 litres. There is a six-speed manual gearbox, which provides smooth acceleration.

Although the cabin is quiet with little road and suspension noise, there is still quite a bit of wind noise around the wing mirrors.

The 2.0 TDI 143 S line has a 141bhp engine delivering 236lb-ft of torque at 1750-2500rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 129mph.

Looks & Equipment

The interior of the A4 is a little bit of a disappointment, as it feels a little cheaper than an Audi normally does.

The seat and steering wheel adjust comfortably, although the pedals are set off to the right, which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances. The controls are straightforward and without too much complication, but the dash is a bit cluttered. Rear view visibility is good thanks to a large back window.

The S line trim comes with cloth/leather seats, power steering, climate control, stability control, alloy wheels, cruise control, rear parking sensors, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including satellite navigation for £1620 and metallic paint for £615.

For fuel economy, the A4 has a start/stop system and electromechanical power steering as standard, which allows for great efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The A4 comes with stability control, electronic brake force distribution, with twin front and side airbags as standard, although without the hatchback’s full-length curtain airbag. The immobiliser and alarm add to security.

The boot is sizeable offering 490 litres with the rear seats up and 1430 litres with the seats folded down (although they don’t fold down completely). The Avant sits four adults comfortably and is definitely one of the best for space in its class. The leg and head room in the back in very generous.

Value for Money

The running costs are good with the A4 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TDI 143 S line model costs £30,310 and has a combined economy of 60.1mpg and CO2 emission rate of 124g/km.

The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version, but is worth the extra cost only if you make up enough miles to justify the price and the rising diesel prices.

The Audi A4 is much cheaper than its rivals, such as BMW and Mercedes and the resale value on the A4 Avant is great. Audi promise good service and reliability as well. Considering this and the exceptional fuel economy, the model represents great value for money.

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI (143ps) S line 5dr Car Review - by 
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