In-depth reviews

Audi A4 Avant estate owner reviews

Name: Audi A4 Avant estate
Brand: Audi

“The Audi A4 Avant is a thoroughly modern yet conservative estate car, with a big boot and a sophisticated interior”

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by Ben Custard

11 May 2022

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Carbuyer Rating

4.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.9 out of 5

Buy used for less at Buyacar

57%of people would recommend this car to a friend.

Owner Rating

4reviews
2reviews
1reviews

Common Problems

Other (3 cases)

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.0 TFSI Quattro

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

The most enjoyable car I've ever owned and I've been through a long list. This is the first car I've ever cleaned every week, and more if it gets dirty, so much am I attached to it. I chose it over rivals on the comfort score and avoided temptation of bigger wheels and sports suspension. With the insulated glass option to minimise noise and active cruise control it drives like silk, a dream for long distance driving. I agree you aren't tempted to throw it into a bend like a BMW 3 series, but unless you are attacking every curve like Lewis Hamilton on a mission it really is a minor comparison that does not outscore the comfort wow factor.

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.4-litre TFSI

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I love my A4. Buying second-hand, I got it for a similar price to a similarly aged Golf Estate/Seat Leon/Focus Estate - with just a few more miles on the clock. The interior is beautiful. At the price point we were looking at, nothing compared (buying new, I think the competition has caught up and overtaken). Simply put, it’s a really nice place to be. Driving-wise it is incredibly comfortable. I have no idea what these people complaining about bad backs and offset driving positions are on about. Their comments may say more about their overall health than the car, because mine is really comfortable. It’s a great cruiser. Perhaps a bit shaky in stop/start; if you’re planning on sitting in traffic jams a lot, get an automatic. Once you learn the engine, turbo and gearing (it takes a bit of time), the 1.4-litre is surprisingly capable. Honestly, it even offers some excitement in the mid-range. From a practicality standpoint - it's an estate! It’s incredibly practical. I thought the electric boot would be a gimmick. But it’s really useful. Issues: it would be nice if the central screen retracted and supported touch (though the dial interface is much more audial and much safer to be fair). I would have appreciated a rear camera (currently sensors only) and front sensors. I understand this was standard from 2017. And adaptive cruise control would have been nice. But you get what you pay for...

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

2.0-litre TFSI 190PS S-Tronic S-Line

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I feel sorry for those who find this a sub-standard car as I am very impressed with mine. I bought the S-Line version because it has most of the features you would want, including lumbar supports for the front seats. It copes easily with motorway cruising and that is where it is most at home. It is OK around town but at its least economical there, although easy to park. I will admit that the sports suspension is a little firm for my liking but on the right roads it rides beautifully. We have just spent a week in Pembrokeshire where the roads are very well-maintained and the ride quality was superb, whereas where we live in Hampshire our roads are terrible and the ride quality is commensurate. I do a fair amount of load-lugging and the roominess of the car is well-suited. The engine is very powerful and I enjoy having a bit of fun with the acceleration now and again. There is plenty of power in reserve for overtaking. One common criticism, and my only niggle with the car, is the occasional slow response of the auto gearbox. It can catch you out at roundabouts when you need to nip out into the traffic but over the 2 and a half years I’ve owned it, I’ve just got used to it and adjusted my driving accordingly. I’m proposing to hand on to this car for as long as I enjoy driving it, whereas I normally change after 3 or 4 years.

Reliability

5 out of 5

Absolutely faultless so far.

Performance

5 out of 5

Plenty of acceleration, very competent cruiser, very powerful brakes, good roadholding. A car that definitely inspires confidence.

Running Cost

5 out of 5

Very reasonable for the performance and size of the car.

Version

2.0TDI 190 Quattro

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

Having owned Audis and BMWs plus many others before, I bought this car for both motorway and short journeys using for business and pleasure expecting quality and trouble free ownership. When buying from my Audi dealer I (stupidly) only took a short test drive, and the car seemed impressive for power, had good automatic gearbox ratios, steering and some interesting features such as Apple Car Play for an iPhone etc. So I bought the car on a 3 year finance at a seemingly good price. I realised soon after that it had no lumbar support in the seats giving me a nagging backache, and an offset driving position, with the central tunnel obstructing the natural position for my left foot to rest. However, worst of all, after the first week I went on a 30 mile motorway journey and couldn't believe the road and outside noise that seems to come through the doors. It's as if there's no sound proofing or insulation and makes it hard to enjoy the sound system or radio. Its particularly noticeable on the M25 when driving onto coarse tarmac sections, and the noise on concrete is unbearable. I've subsequently taken back to the dealer who tested the vehicle for a few miles, but saying they couldn't see any wrong with the car, but I could try changing the tyres which are the factory fitted Hankook Eventus Evos, but I can't see this is going to make much difference, as noise seems to come from passing traffic as well. My general impression of Audi now is not good, and I feel they've cut costs and reduced much of the previous quality they were renowned for. As far as the Apple CarPlay and voice activated controls, they aren't really that high on my list of priorities, as I'm fine with Bluetooth for my phone and music. I'm now looking to trade in or sell as soon as financially possible.

Version

2.0 TDI 150 S-line multitronic

Year of registration

2015

Average annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

Review

I traded in a 13 year old volvo for this and have regretted it ever since. Positives: fuel economy, it is fully loaded with kit (sat nav, phone and voice command), smooth gearbox, has a spare wheel and has long service intervals. Also got a decent deal on a 9 month old car. Negatives, it seems poorly built, and rattled from day 1. Took it back and Audi couldn't find the fault or fix it. My old Volvo rattled less! The boot is not that practical as it isn't that wide an opening, it's difficult to get golf clubs in without lying them diagonally in the boot. It is slow due to its automatic gearbox and is very boring to drive. It drinks adblue at an alarming rate even if driven carefully. But worst of all is the offset steering wheel and pedals. I didn't notice this at first, but sitting in an offset driving position (same as on the A6) combined with hard seats on any long motorway journey is resulting in serious backache. Strangely the offset driving position is never mentioned in reviews except on the odd forum. I keep cars for 10 years but this one will be going after 1 and my next car will not be an audi. Overpriced, poor build quality and not as good as people perceive. Disappointing.

Reliability

No problems so far.

Performance

1 out of 5

Slow due to cvt gearbox. Sport mode doesn't make any difference. Completely uninvolving to drive.

Running Cost

3 out of 5

Does claimed mpg. Drinks adblue which is costly at 1 litre per 1,000 miles.

Version

1.4 tfsi sport

Year of registration

2016

Average annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

Very nice finish to the inside and the technology is market leading. However, there's a very poor finish on the paint with some bits being transparent due to poor quality

I would recommend this car to a friend

Version

1.4 tfsi

Year of registration

2017

Average annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

Review

I recently bought the 2017 A4 avant TFSI 1.4. The quality is clear to see. The interior is very classy and well thought of. The ride is smooth and handling sharp. The sports seats in the front are a nice touch and the automatic boot cover is also nice. Overall a lovely car at a reasonable price.