Audi A4 Black Edition Nav

The Audi A4 Black Edition Nav is probably as close to a special-edition Audi as you can get without shelling out for one of the race-bred S and RS models. The Black Edition Nav builds on the S Line trim by further emphasising Audi's racing track record and showing that the sensible German brand also has an adventurous side.

The notable equipment additions include a Black styling upgrade, so pieces of trim like the grille are finished in matte black. The most obvious styling additions are the attractive alloy wheels, finished in (you guessed it) black with grey edging.

Inside, the already well furnished interior is dressed with aluminium pedals, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and piano-black inserts on the dashboard. A Bang and Olufsen sound system with 14 speakers is included and you also get Audi's acoustic and visual parking assistance system.

The Black Edition Nav is availabe in either saloon or Avant estate form and buyers also have a choice of Audi's powerful TFSI petrol engines or efficient TDI diesels. Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive can also be specified.

Good points

Audi's engine range caters from the quick to the efficient, so there should be an A4 to suit almost anybody.Audi knows how to do an interior properly – the A4 has always had a high-class cabin that keeps up with its German rivals the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.

Bad points

The A4 is starting to feel its age. The cabin may be high quality, but the infotainment system is lagging behind. The Black Edition Nav model could also be seen as a way for Audi to 'tart up' the A4 as a last-ditch attempt to keep it fresh before the upcoming facelift.The Audi driving experience is about safety and predictability rather than performance. The BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE both offer a more involving drive.

What you get

• Alloy wheels
• Folding rear seats
• Electric folding wing mirrors
• Alarm
• Rear parking sensors
• Tyre pressure sensors
• Passenger & Driver airbag
• Front side airbags
• Curtain airbags
• Front fog lights
• Auto climate control
• Leather steering wheel
• Height adjustable driver's seat
• Front electric windows
• Single CD player
• AUX stereo input
• DAB Radio
• Cruise control
• Sat nav
• Stop/Start
• Automatic wipers
• Sports suspension
• Sports seats
• Rear electric windows
• Bluetooth

Recommended optional extras

• Technology Package

Our choice

Our pick is the 2.0-litre TDI diesel – its power output is still enough to launch the car from 0-62mph in around nine seconds, but you only have to pay £30 a year in road tax because of its low CO2 emissions figure of 119g/km. Fuel economy stands at an impressive 63mpg, too.