Car reviews

There's a lot going for the A4. It's smart, stylish, good to drive and very safe. In addition there's an exceptional range of petrol and diesel engines, saloon, Avant estate and cabriolet bodystyles and supercar-rivalling S4 and RS4 versions.

A4 prices compare favourably to 3-Series and C-Class, though like its rivals, the best equipment is optional - which bumps the price up. Best diesel is the 2.0 TDI, which is smooth, frugal and powerful, while the 2.0 FSI petrol has plenty of power and gives good fuel economy to lower mileage drivers. It's crisp to drive, with responsive steering, little bodyroll and a solid gearchange. The ride is a big improvement on older A4s. The boot on the saloon is large and the load area on the estate makes it very practical. The cabriolet is a bit more restricted - especially with the roof down - but is still acceptable. It's classy inside, with high quality switches and buttons, splashes of chrome and leather upholstery on top models. A4 running costs are very affordable, with good fuel consumption and insurance for its class. Audi main dealer servicing can be pricey, but there is a network of independents that can do a similar job for half the cash.