Audi A4

Our verdict

The new Audi A4 is the first in a new generation of Audis (A5, R8 included) that have learned how to ride. A wonderfully engineered bit of kit that still manages to be just that little bit boring.

Comfort

So, so much better than A4s of old, the new car is quiet, comfy and composed - especially on long motorway hauls. There's so much more space than the old model the new A4 feels like it comes from the class above.

Performance

Most people will opt for the company credit 2.0-litre TDI with 140bhp and that's a reasonably quick car with 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and a 134mph top end. The 1.8-litre TFSI petrol turbo is quicker but more thirsty. The engine that really stands out is the 3.0-litre V6 with Quattro - it's fast and relatively cheap to run.

Cool

Are a nice pair of slacks cool? No. Do they do the job? Yes. The new A4 is a nice pair of slacks.

Quality

As with all Audi product recently the quality is high and the finish superlative.

Handling

A supremely competent car, the A4 never loses composure and loves tasty back roads.Both the front-wheel drive and Quattro variants shade towards understeer, but thanks to excellent body control and a well-sorted chassis you can really crack on. Not quite a BMW 3-series though.

Practicality

Plenty of room in the new A4 - the boot is a generous 480 litres and the cabin space is really very good - even in the back. There are also front, side and curtain airbags as standard.

Running costs

Low-ish company car tax brackets for the smaller-engined petrol 1.8-litre TFSi and the 2.0-litre diesel, with the diesel achieving 51.4mpg. Then again, the A4 is a good value buy as long as you stay off the tempting options list.