Audi A4 Avant estate (2011-2015) - Interior & comfort

Audi interiors are renowned for being well built and classy, and the A4 Avant fully lives up to that reputation. It’s one area in which it excels and arguably has the edge over rivals such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class estate. Steer clear of bigger wheels and the A4 is very comfortable, while standard equipment is comparable to what its main competitors have.

Audi A4 Avant dashboard

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This is one of the highlights of the A4 Avant. The dashboard is solidly constructed, handsome and easy to use. You wouldn’t call it exciting, but the quality of the materials and touches like having the central controls angled towards the driver make it look conservative and plush.

Equipment

Being an executive model, the standard A4 Avant comes with a reasonable amount of equipment and is on par with its rivals in this area. The entry-level SE model features 17-inch alloy wheels, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity, automatic headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, three-zone climate control and a power-operated tailgate.

Step up one trim level to SE Technik and you get an upgraded infotainment system with sat nav and USB connectivity, metallic paint, leather seats, a parking camera and 17 or 18-inch alloys.

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Though it’s a trim level in its own right, S line is more about styling than outright equipment. On top of what you get in the SE model, it adds 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels, lower sports suspension, front sports seats, a leather interior, various interior styling touches, bright xenon headlights and LED tail-lights, along with an exterior styling pack.

Finally, there’s the Black Edition Plus trim level, which, over and above the S line's equipment, throws in USB connectivity, 19-inch alloy wheels, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, parking sensors and cameras, dark-tinted rear windows, an exterior styling pack and upgraded interior trim.

Options

You can get lost in Audi’s vast array of options for the A4 Avant, which covers just about everything from exterior styling to seat cloth and key types. Just beware that this sort of thing doesn’t come cheap from premium German brands, so it’s easy to spend a lot of extra money.

Option packs are always a better bet, because they offer a decent ‘basket’ of equipment and are usually more recognised when the vehicle is sold second-hand, so they can be beneficial for residual values.

The Technology Pack costs £1,440 and gets you Audi’s MMI infotainment system with sat nav, USB connectivity, parking sensors and cameras. Tick the box marked Technology Pack Advanced (£2,065) and you get adaptive cruise control (which automatically brakes or accelerates to keep a safe distance from the car in front) and active lane-keeping assistance (which sounds a warning if you’re drifting out of your lane).